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The reviewers' opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheatreLouisville.org. |
Reviews La
Cage Aux Folles
Directed by John R. Leffert
Reviewed by Sherry R. Deatrick Entire contents are copyright © 2009, Sherry R. Deatrick. All rights reserved.
It's rather gaudy but it's also rather grand. Some women were discussing this show in the ladies' room. They wished the program had more information about the production history, so ladies, this is for you: La Cage aux Folles is indeed a Broadway musical (they weren't sure if it was). It's based on Jean Poiret's 1973 French stage farce, which was also the basis of the 1978 French film and 1998's The Birdcage (with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane). Allan Carr, who produced the film version of Grease wanted to work in theatre and chose La Cage as his debut. Unable to secure the rights to the film, he settled for the rights to the original play. Eventually, Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein were brought in to write the music and book. The team focused on creating "a charming, colorful, great-looking musical comedy - an old-fashioned piece of entertainment," as Herman recalled in his memoir Showtune. By "delivering their sentiments in a sweetly entertaining manner," they communicate the gay-themed message with greater impact than if they had been more aggressive. The Broadway musical version opened in 1983 and starred Gene Barry and George Hearn. The show was revived on Broadway in 2004 and had a London revival in 2008. Soon, it will wend its way back to New York. British theater producer Sonia Friedman is planning to transfer the hit London production to Broadway next April. What is it about this story that appeals to so many and for so long? Yes, it's a sweet story about familial love, young love, and sacrificing your own needs for your family's....but this is no ordinary family. Georges (Rusty Henle) runs a St. Tropez nightclub where his "wife" Albin (Eddie D. Lewis) performs as the glamorous Zaza. In their twenty years together they raised Georges' son, Jean-Michel (Kyle Braun), whose biological mother, Sybil, abandoned him at a tender age. (Because they were limited to using only the Poiret play as a source, they were unable to include the character of Jean-Michel's birth mother, who had been created for the film.) Jean-Michel wants to marry Anne Dindon (Olivia Allison), whose father, Eduoard Dindon (Gene Dorf), leads the Tradition, Family and Morality Party. M. Dindon vows to sweep away all the drag clubs. Mme. Dindon (Barbara Myerson Katz) is simply along for the ride, albeit with a stick up her derriere. What is poor Jean-Michel to do when the Dindons are coming to meet his family? The ungrateful little brat decides that Albin, who is more of a mother to him than Sybil, must vanish. The plot is merely the foundation for the wonderful musical numbers that make this show and its positive message unforgettable.You may recall that CenterStage produced this show in January 2008 to great acclaim. Eddie Lewis is back again as Zaza, and he is even better than before, if that's possible. Lewis makes Zaza come alive at the dressing table while singing "A Little More Mascara," where everything is glamorous, ankle straps, beautiful.... It must be difficult to sing while applying make-up, but to Lewis it's a breeze. Zaza emerges onstage and Les Cagelles (the show "girls") join him in song. Lewis is thrilling as he changes from the effeminate Albin (not quite a woman, but definitely not a man) to the chanteuse Zaza, dripping with glitter and bugle beads, to the macho "Uncle Al" in a disguise for the Dindons' benefit. He hits every note and pulls you along into his character's heart. Even the male senior citizens in the audience fell under Albin's spell. They smiled broadly and clapped along to the cabaret-style "The Best of Times" at the end. During the curtain call, it seemed that a tear fell down Lewis's cheek as everyone rose to give a thunderous and well-deserved standing ovation. But I am getting ahead of myself. Les Cagelles are as lively and lovely as ever. Their gowns are so sparkly you might have to wear shades. They swish their skirts so fiercely it's as if they're shooing flies away. Sandra Simpson's choreography is again exhilarating. We all felt that we had reached Nirvana during the "La Cage aux Folles" dance sequence, where les Cagelles perform daring feats of gymnastics and other hijinks while shouting "Whoo!" You simply must see this to appreciate its wonder. This year, Frank Goodloe III plays Jacob (the butler who thinks he's a maid), and he is sheer comedic perfection. His legs aren't bad either. The rather statuesque Goodloe fills the stage without dominating it. He knows where the laughs are and simply lets them happen. His acting appears effortless but obviously he's honed his craft. Rusty Henle delivers Georges' balladic songs powerfully and with confidence. However, he stumbled over some of his lines and his microphone was distorted on opening night. Kyle Braun sings clearly and brightly like a professional, and his Jean-Michel is an impetuous young man blinded by the twirling girl he's in love with. As the virginal Anne, Olivia Allison floats about the stage like a fragile flower, her mauve dress ballooning out as she pirouettes around her lover. Barbara Myerson Katz is splendid as Mme. Dindon, who longs to cut loose. The bleachers are gone for this year's production, and in their place are round tables lit by candles. You can order drinks (including alcohol) from the costumed showgirls, or order from the bar. The set includes a series of arches with edges painted to resemble flames or feathers, or flaming feathers. The color scheme is a garishly beautiful purple/orange mix, with fuschia highlights. This, coupled with the spangles and sparkles of the ladies' gowns is almost hallucinogenic. The ladies parade onto a catwalk that stretches around the orchestra (delightfully led by Angie Hopperton). You can just forget your troubles when you're in La Cage aux Folles, and you'll leave humming one or two of the upbeat musical numbers. You'll bask in this show's glow for days.
So hold this moment fast,
La Cage Aux Folles CenterStage 3600 Dutchmans Lane Louisville, KY 40205 459-0660 ext. 0 jccoflouisville.org/ October 22 - November 8, 2009 Starring Eddie D. Lewis, Rusty Henle, Frank Goodloe, Kyle Braun, Olivia Allison, Carol Dines, Paul Higginbotham, Barbara Myerson Katz, Gene Dorf, Kevin Swansey, Jeremy Long, Brad Lambert, Chad Broskey, Nic Johnson, Madeline Barger, Jessica Adamson, Michael J. Guille'n, Sean Sullivan, Jeff Sammons, Jill Sullivan, Mandy Kramer, Jon Adams, Tymika Prince, Jerry Prince, Jill Janowiecki, Alonzo Richmond, Monica Suarez and Kaylee VanMeter. Posted October 24, 2009
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