BSoBW's LA CAGE AUX FOLLES Review

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 7:26pm

March 05, 2005 - 2:00 PM Matinée

Harvey Fierstein’s voice starts off the show followed by a lovely Overture. This is La Cage Aux Folles!

La Cage Aux Folles – It’s nice to return to an old-style Broadway show. As this is the revival I won’t say too much about the music and the book:

So first off, the music is nice. Nothing special. It’s light, fun, airy – overall enjoyable. The book is ok. Some very funny jokes and some nice, touching moments. It seems, however, to have been updated for the revival. While some new jokes are nice, they seem out of place because only parts of the book have been updated. Are we in France or Germany? Who knows, the book has some many inconstancies. It was, nevertheless, a lot of fun. Gary Beach’s “Where did we go wrong?” was a nice little tribute-to-my-last-Broadway-show-and-the-upcoming-movie.

The one negative thing I have to say is that the first Act seemed to be missing energy or emotion in what was not said. The actors were fine (read below). The scenes overall seemed Blah. The second Act was much better. The sets were absolutely amazing, especially the Jaqueline’s Restaurant and the two statues (a lighter and a light…switch). The choreography (especially the can-can and the cage dancing) was amazing. Loved the acrobats, loved it all! The lighting was also very nice, especially when it was on the pink curtain during the Overture, etc.

Les Cagelles - Excellent. Amazing. Outrageously funny. To think men could kick that high! Also, the can-can at the end of Act I was amazing and so much fun to watch. They, as the ensemble, were perfect!

Michael Mulheren (M. Dindon – or Dingdong, as it were)), Linda Balgord (Mme. Dindon), John Shuman (Francis), Ruth Williamson (Jaqueline), and Angela Gaylor (Anne) - all did a fantastic job – notably Mulheren and Williamson. I also saw Balgord as the final Grizabella the week before Cats closed on Broadway – definitely wasted her talent in this show. Theses roles did not require much but were still all played nicely.

Michael Benjamin Washington (Jacob) – can we say HILARIOUS. Definitely worthy to a stage version of Hank Azaria in The Birdcage (which I’m sure many people were expecting). He gave such a (to be cliché) laugh-a-minute performance. My only complaint his he didn’t have a nice little solo. Oh, well!

Gavin Creel – very good performance. Perhaps the acting, or reacting, was a little – bleh, his singing was very good. I thought he did a wonderful job in the role.

Daniel Davis (Georges)– Who knew this man could sing so well? Not I! He was great in the role. Absolutely brilliant! He was hilarious in every scene. He definitely had great chemistry with the whole cast, including Gary Beach. I hope he stays on Broadway long after he leaves La Cage!

Gary Beach (Albin) Oy, where to begin, where to begin? Let’s just say he is beyond words. He sent chills through my body during his “I Am What I Am.” After the close of the first Act, I remarked, “Thank G-d Gary Beach is in the show!” Heartbreaking and heartwarming, he IS Albin. His voice is amazing – so typical Broadway. Let’s hope he can resist the magnetic pull to Wicked’s The Wizard and keep playing lead roles. I must say, with the makeup on onstage, he has an uncanny resemblance to Nathan Lane. His mannerisms were very similar, especially in “Masculinity.” He is, as I said, beyond words of praising.

The show was great overall. Although it lacked some energy in the first Act, the cast and choreography, sets and lighting ALL made up for that.

Go see La Cage Aux Folles! And remember, what happens in La Cage…stays in La Cage !

P.S. Did anyone else realize how much Mel Brooks’ “Springtime for Hitler” sounds like the Overture and Entr’acte. I almost wanted to sing, “…played by chorus boys in very tight pants…” (And I suppose for La Cage that would have fit!)


(This review can also be found in my Blog) Updated On: 3/5/05 at 07:26 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 7:38pm

Well, we both know we never have the same taste, but here I only half disagree. The show is "Blah," like you said, but I don't think the sets, Gary Beach, and Daniel Davis are in any way amazing or brilliant, as you put it....I just don't understand how anyone can watch Gary Beach's embarrassing performance and mistake it for talent. BLAH.

Updated On: 3/5/05 at 07:38 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 7:53pm

WHAT!?

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 9:29pm

Could you elaborate on Angela Gaynor please?

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 9:36pm

Sure.

She did an good job. I mean, the role is small and doesn't have that many lines. Also, when she sings, it's with the rest of the cast. She really didn't do much.

Is there something specific you wanted? Sorry, her role is so small and underwritten, I guess.

One thing that confused me was that in The Birdcage she knows about Albin and Georges (whoevere they were in Birdcae) and their occupation - in the show she didn't. It confused me for a while because I assumed she knew. Oh well.

But she is very pretty - love the pink bikini!

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 9:40pm

No I just met her and she was very sweet, and I wanted to know how she did.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 9:41pm

Ah,

She was great.

The whole cast is really nice - esp. Mulheren - who was hilarious at the stage door this afternoon!

[Albin]

Posted: 3/6/05 at 9:28am

Thanks for the review. Looking forward to seeing it in May.

[Albin]

Posted: 3/6/05 at 9:28am

Thanks for the review. Looking forward to seeing it in May.

[Mythus]

Posted: 3/6/05 at 10:29am

P.S. Did anyone else realize how much Mel Brooks’ “Springtime for Hitler” sounds like the Overture and Entr’acte. I almost wanted to sing, “…played by chorus boys in very tight pants…” (And I suppose for La Cage that would have fit!)

Yes! My friend and I both noticed that before we saw the show, after repeated listenings of the cast recording. The "All week long we're wondering who left a green Givenchy gown in the loo" line sounds very much like, "I see German soldiers dancing through France, played by chorus boys in very tight pants".

ETA: Wait - it sounds like "Keep it Gay", I think you mean. Updated On: 3/6/05 at 10:29 AM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/6/05 at 12:02pm

Oh, oops...

Sorry, you're right!

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 3/6/05 at 12:49pm

BSoBW2 Thanks So much for yet another mostly positive review of the show. It is by far the most light hearted enjoyable revival on Broadway today and should fare very nicely come tony time, especially for nominations and hopefully a few wins.

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 3/6/05 at 4:34pm

You are soooo correct about the book BSoBW, the book of the show was the great weak link in the original production. It is a shame the book was not improved upon for the revival. This show did NOT deserve the Tony for best book of a musical. Especially when SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE went on to win the Pulitzer Prize!

[GirlforTartaglia]

Posted: 3/6/05 at 5:38pm

I loved the show! Great Review!! :)
And I LOVED the "Where did we go wrong?"..I was thinking ROGER DEBRIS!! during the show.