La Cage

Just back from Melbourne after seeing a brilliant production of La Cage by The Production Company. It starred Todd McKenney who was the original Boy from Oz and Simon Burke. Todd as Albin is certainly an audience favourite [he is also one of the judges on Dancing with the Stars] and broke the fourth wall constantly with his interaction with the audiences-his ad-libs were priceless and very topical.
The show had 6 Cagelles-like the recent London production which also starred Simon Burke.
Incredible just how relevant this piece is today regarding tolerance and acceptance.
The genuine feeling between the 2 male leads up to the kiss at the end is a lesson in just how important conversation is needed to heal any dissention.
Bravo all connected with La Cage aux Folles

PS This show is definitely a crowd pleaser-saw it twice and a standing O both times--the songs are well known, there is a message, fabulous costumes, very very funny and with the right cast [isn't that always the way though]this needs a revival-NOW.

Edit-Managed to show the program cover for my avatar.

Updated On: 12/6/14 at 07:03 PM

Glad to hear you had such a good time

Agreed about the acceptance speech. Jerry Herman himself is a delight to watch in interviews and such (he just seems like such a bright and happy person!), and I loved his speech in particular for that. I wish they could have shown Sondheim's face as Herman said that!

Updated On: 12/5/14 at 07:29 PM

Speaking as an army of one: I am a great fan of La Cage. Yet must Sondheim be denigrated for La Cage to be praised? Seriously. Jerry Herman won the Tony for La Cage. Sondheim was awarded the Pulitzer for Sunday in the Park with George. I think Sondheim deserved the Tony as well. But can't gentlepeeps disagree on that without denigrating either artist?

Updated On: 12/5/14 at 08:29 PM

Hi Fantod, I just don't perceive Sondheim to be the smug critcal man you posit. We differ. Since I have not met him, my judgment re his personality could certainly be wrong. But leaving the artists' personalities aside, I still think that Sunday in the Park with George is superior to La Cage, even though I greatly admire La Cage. IMO, though both are "musicals," in terms of Tony categorization, they are so different that perhaps judging them against each other is not a valuable venture. Sondheim's Pulitzer was for Drama. Go figure.

Sigh, I agree, Mr. Roxy. But the older I get, the less value I see in snark. Not out of righteousness, but due to the precious remaining time it wastes.

I'll use this thread to step a little further out.
I'm a relative newcomer here and have been 'attacked' by seasoned members here for many reasons but what it did for me was to allow me to sit back awhile and observe and carefully contribute when I felt more confident.
I admire those who forge ahead and submit ideas [After 8-I can't decide if you are a Master or a Sub. you take so much punishment] but it is these individual ideas that create comment.
I am puzzled [living in Australia] that there is constant referral and derision given to the 'tourists' that support Broadway.
A dollar is a dollar no matter whose pocket is comes out of and if it is meant that the tourist is the lowest common denominator then perhaps if theatres want to stay open then shows should aim for that level.
There are so many here that have crystal balls and predict the failure of so many new shows that I don't know why producers don't do a mail out here before investing money.
Opera/ballet/Sondheim all have niche markets then you have your Disney,R&H,K&E ect and that brings me right back to Jerry Herman and La Cage.
Someone said-done 3 years ago, but it is a Tourist show and I know if I had money to invest and a choice between The Last Ship or ??? and La Cage-that's a no brainer.
BUT-Years ago I took a friend to see Death in Venice[film]--at the end she said--that was like a Death in Collins Street[where the film was showing]-she HATED it.
Last week she saw a local production of Passion and LOVED it-I was speechless-so, put anything on stage and cross your fingers-but ask After 8 first.

"I'm a relative newcomer here and have been 'attacked' by seasoned members here for many reasons but what it did for me was to allow me to sit back awhile and observe and carefully contribute when I felt more confident."

I like your use of the term "seasoned members." They are seasoned all right ---like rancid game.

I am sorry that you had to experience their abuse, but it happens all the time here, especially to newcomers. Any new person represents a possible new way of thinking that might challenge the iron-clad ideas of the self-appointed powers that be here; so new voices have to be driven away the minute they appear. It has happened time and time again. But I'm glad you've stuck it out, and I welcome hearing more of your thoughts.

As for their attacks,, it's the classic pattern of bullies --- in this case, intolerant, elitist bullies. There's a certain party line that they establish here, one to be adhered to at all times, which they enforce with a vengeance. If one dares to disagree (and even worse, dares express disagreement) with their diktats one iota, then it's open season on that person 24/7, full speed ahead, with their wholesale approval. But if that person has the nerve to fight back and pay back in kind, well then, the outcry from the bullies is deafening. The classic pattern.

As for their putdowns of "tourists," it's just typical elitist snobbery. Personally, I'd take the opinions of "tourists" over the rancid, corroded preferences of the snots any day.

Updated On: 12/6/14 at 07:22 AM

I do hate Sondheim himself. He is a smug man, and considers himself the greatest composer of all time, and constantly criticizes others' work but expects others to bow before him, and he deserved to have it spat back in his face.

Not a very Christian attitude...

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Why is this on the main topic board?

Does the Sondheim hate need to bleed onto the off topic board...it's so...boring!

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Maybe if Fantod and After Eight got fisted as often as Jerry they'd be bright and happy too.

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"Any new person represents a possible new way of thinking …"

Yes, "that Streisand woman" was such a bold, new way of thinking only a fool wouldn't believe it was coming from a brand new tween member of the board.

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He is a smug man, and considers himself the greatest composer of all time, and constantly criticizes others' work but expects others to bow before him, and he deserved to have it spat back in his face.

Sounds like every other BWW member. Personally, I've never seen Sondheim actually behave in this manner (though criticism of composers is pretty common from all members of the musical theatre community, including those who make smug criticism of Sondheim), but I've seen it a lot in his followers.

I get that you think that all of your comments area amusing, but I just seems so tedious and unnecessary, all to single out a specific member.

To be fair, you can choose to ignore the comment or engage in a response. It's no less tedious to directly respond.

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