Can Robert Goulet Save La Cage?

[Luke0827]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 6:18pm

Is the addition of Robert Goulet too little too late, or will the Broadway baritone save this ailing revival?

When actors Daniel Davis and Garry Beach were announced to star as Georges and Albin, respectively, in the current revival of "La Cage Aux Folles," the general reaction outside the Broadway establishment was "Who are they?" With the former having been dismissed from the show within months after its opening, and the latter receiving a tepid response from critics, the producers somehow managed to lure the 71 year old Goulet out of semi-retirement and into the grueling rigors of eight performances a week in a show which was already faltering at the box office.

Goulet, as Georges, has been given top billing and receives a star's welcome when he makes his first appearance on stage; however, his curious performance as the "straighter" half of a gay couple would seem to raise more questions than it answers: namely, "What were the producers thinking?"

Appearing as though he just visited a mortician, Goulet's rigormortis-like mannerisms and continual fumbling for lines and lyrics create an aura of suspense once suspects is needed in the show, albeit of the wrong kind. Rather than wondering what plot twist might unfold, audience members are more likely questioning if Goulet will make it through the next song without flubbing, blanking, scooping, cutting off notes, or otherwise eliciting giddy laughter from the audience or nervous hand-wringing from his costars.

In spite of this obvious miscasting, "La Cage" boasts probably the strongest ensemble on Broadway today in the form of the multi-talented Cagelles who dance and sing and often look just gorgeous. With Goulet just getting by and co-star Garry Beach, who never exceeds expectations and at times fails to meet them, (particularly due to his apparent inability to deliver physical comedy effectively -- the scenes which should elicit rapturous applause and uproarious laughter do not -- or sing without considerable effort), La Cage is left in a state of unbalance: weak leads supported by an outstanding chorus. Sadly, such an equation rarely equals profit, which usually means, without a boost from the Tony's, a dim prospect for survival.

[Ruth Sherwood]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 6:23pm

I was very disappointed in the La Cage revival. I don't think it was as splashy as the original (I think the sets looked cheap), and I thought it was really flat. I was hoping to hear that Robert Goulet was fabulous because I love this show, but it looks like La Cage may not be "saved". I just hope the planned revivals of Mame and Dolly are better than this.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 6:27pm

No, he can't save it.

[Albin]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 6:31pm

53% attendance last week. Keeping my fingers crossed that it will stay open at least through the end of May so I can see it...

[442namffug]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 6:36pm

questioning if Goulet will make it through the next song without flubbing, blanking, scooping, cutting off notes...

give the man a break! He JUST started..I'd like to see anyone else do better...I think the reason that the show is not doing well, and is all around unimpressive, is because there was absolutley NO need for a revival. There are so many untold stories floating around out there, and the producers decide to revive a show that is not even that old? Come on!

[NYCisHome]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 6:43pm

I still wish I could see it, even though I heard it really wasn't all that great. Hopefully, it'll stay around a little bit longer.

Posted: 4/18/05 at 6:44pm

I don't think he can save it. Just looking at the grosses from about 3/21-3/27 (pre-cast change) to today, it is down more than $198,500 and attendance has decreased approx 27%. Even if he does get better at the part, is it too little, too late? Will he be enough to turn it around and stop the downward turn? Attendance did go up barely 1 percent from last week, but he was only in 4 performances out of 8.

[Steve2]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 6:46pm

I am coming from out of town this week. Seeing La Cage on Sunday. Any chance Robert Goulet will be better by then or am I out of luck?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 6:49pm

I am sure that Robert Goulet will always be Robert Goulet no matter when you see the show.

[Steve2]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 6:53pm

That makes me sad.

[Albin]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 7:00pm

"I'd like to see anyone else do better..."

You could have if you'd seen Daniel Davis.
Updated On: 4/18/05 at 07:00 PM

Posted: 4/18/05 at 7:14pm

I second that.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 7:36pm

Oh please! James Naughton flubbed his way through the first few weeks of CHICAGO when it first opened. He also flubbed his way through NO STRINGS for Encores!--and he was carrying the script in his hands!

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 8:46pm

There are literally thousands of competant actor/singers out there who could step into this role and do wonders with it - but I fear that Goulet just aint got the stuff.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 9:10pm

It is tanking so quickly nothing can save it

[Mamie]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 11:36pm

I would love to see this show succeed for the sake of the incredible supporting cast alone. I still maintain that no matter what the truth is, the way the Davis situation was handled was absolutely horrible and the producers deserve to lose a bundle on it.

I hope that when the show does close that we finally hear more about what was going on. It's too late for him, but wouldn't it be grand if they could somehow save those Cagelles and put them in their own show? Maybe even set up a cabaret like La Cage?

Posted: 4/18/05 at 11:37pm

Mamie - that's the best idea I've read yet!

And by the way, 'hello' to you, sweet lady

[Mamie]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 11:40pm

Oh Douglas - I've missed you! It's so nice to hear from you again. I hope all is well. I'd love to meet up with you and Robert at that Cabaret (mentioned above) for a drink and lots of fun!

[Mamie]

Posted: 4/18/05 at 11:41pm

PS -
Thank you DG. That was my 1000th post!

Posted: 4/18/05 at 11:44pm

How perfectly wonderful to know we have so many thoughts expressed by the likes of you, my dear. And Robert and I would be happy and honored to spend an evening with you being entertained by the fabulous Cagelles!

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 4/19/05 at 10:37am

I think the revival was terrible. Pacific overtures for the tony!

[Huey's Pop]

Posted: 4/19/05 at 11:08am

We have tickets to La Cage in early June. Will it still be playing then? Any guesses?

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 4/19/05 at 11:46am

This one is gonna be completely up to the TONY AWARDS, number of nominations and a win or 2. Early June, more than likely yes.

[junglered]

Posted: 4/19/05 at 2:34pm

I saw Robert Goulet on Sunday, in what I believe was his third day of performances in La Cage. He was warmly received by the audience and got a rousing standing ovation at the end of the show. He still has a rich voice ( he did a very nice job on "Song on the Sand")...though it surely is not as strong as it once was. There were a couple of minor word flubs, but nothing was too distracting. He and Gary Beach seemed to have good chemistry between them.

That said, I loved the show....it was a nice finale to my weekend in NYC. Gary Beach was terrific, Michael Benjamin Washington was hilarious, the Cagelles were extraordinary, and I left the Marquis humming "These Are The Best of Times" all the way to LaGuardia.

[jjdude2000]

Posted: 4/19/05 at 2:41pm

Huey's Pop, almost definately. Right around Tony time.