La Cage aux Folles
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Cititour.com Review
Do you really need to see yet another revival of La Cage aux Folles? You bet you do! This latest arrival from London's Menier Chocolate Factory starring Olivier Award winner, Douglas Hodge, and TV’s Fraiser, Kelsey Grammer, is moving and glamorous, thrilling and invigorating, and the reason we love musicals.
Jerry Herman’s score is fresh and lovely even when played by the rather tiny orchestra (onstage to stand in as the nightclub band). Harvey Fierstein’s masterful book provides premium laughs yet he’s smart enough to build the show with sensitivity and provide full, complex characters for his leads.
Director Terry Johnson has toned down the scale here. The Les Cagelles’ dancers number only six, but he’s lost none of the glitz with multiple fashion statements from costume designer Matthew Wright and splendid lighting from Nick Richings. Lynn Page’s dances are full of fun.
The main focus is on the relationship between Albin (Hodge) and his partner, Georges (Grammer), and their son, Jean-Michel, when the young man, wishing to marry a young lady, is embarrassed by his gay parents, particularly the flamboyant Albin.
Hodge lives up to his hype in both his guise as Albin, and Zaza, his headlining drag-act. In a brilliantly staged "The Best of Times" Hodge plays the usual rousing anthem as a tender wish for his son. He brings a full range of emotions to bear, whether shy about public affection, aghast at his banishment from meeting his ultra-conservative future-in-laws, or overcome when reading bad news in a telegram. Grammer is a great match here, delivering his solos with tenderness and hosting the club acts with panache.
The talented supporting players include Veanne Cox as the future in-law and Fred Applegate as her righteous politician husband. Along with Christine Andreas, in a star turn as a restaurateur, the rest of the cast is terrific.
La Cage Aux Folles has the bubbly tickle of fine champagne. It’s a magic elixir guaranteed to have you humming on you way out of the theater and, with its message that love is universal, La Cage is still an inspiration.
By Lesley Alexander
Visit the Site
http://www.lacage.com
Open/Close Dates
Opening 4/18/2010
Closing 5/1/2011
Theatre Info
Longacre Theatre
220 West 48th Street
New York, NY 10036
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