If Robert Preston had done LA CAGE...

[sondheimfan2]

Posted: 3/18/12 at 8:40pm

I was just watching this clip from the 1984 Tonys and thought how wonderful if Robert Preston would have been in the original LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. He would have been great in either role. Does anyone know if he was approached?

And, of course, this would have been on the heels of the film VICTOR/VICTORIA.

Edit: Preston begins at .55
Tonys Updated On: 3/18/12 at 08:40 PM

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 3/18/12 at 9:45pm

He could have been a wonderful Georges.

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 8:14am

I vaguely remember hearing he had been approached for Georges, but thought it was too close to the (Oscar-nominated) role he just played in Victor/Victoria, so he turned it down.

I don't even remember who told me that now ... but it does make sense for him to feel that way.

[castlestreet]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 10:00am

His voice had such a warmth and charm to it- one of my favorite Preston gems is the "To Be Alone With You" from Ben Franklin In Paris.

He would have been a great George- but agreed, too close to Victor/Victoria.

[sondheimfan2]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 1:07pm

Ah, the too close to V/V makes sense, but one can imagine.

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 1:31pm

Robert Preston will always be remembered for THE MUSIC MAN, and that is wonderful, but he gave so many other great performances (BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS, NOBOBDY LOVES AN ALBATROSS, I DO! I DO!, MACK AND MABEL, THE LION IN WINTER). His body of stage work was amazing, and he still found time to give some terrific performances in film VICTOR/VICTORIA, SOB, FINNEGAN BEGIN AGAIN).

Would he have been good in LACAF? You bet!

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 1:59pm

Not to mention that La Cage is MUCH better material than Victor Victoria!