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It's Official: Kelsey Grammer to Make Broadway Musical Debut in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES! — Page 2

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#26

re: It's Official: Kelsey Grammer to Make Broadway Musical Debut in LA CAGE

Posted: 11/30/09 at 4:47pm

Oh get over this "isn't it too soon" ... The 2005 was a big fat flop!

This show is captures the true essence of La Cage and fully deserves a Broadway run, even if that 2005 flop opened and closed a few weeks ago.

With Kelsey joining the role, a sensible sized theatre and what I think will be 5 star reviews... the show has a very healthy looking future. It could even bad Best Revival, again. (Although I believe Sweet Charity was robbed in 05)
#33

re: It's Official: Kelsey Grammer to Make Broadway Musical Debut in LA CAGE

Posted: 11/30/09 at 8:54pm

"My friend who saw it in London said it was too minimal and didn't work."

Your friend would appear to be in the minority.


edit: drats! beaten!
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

Updated On: 11/30/09 at 08:54 PM

#34

re: It's Official: Kelsey Grammer to Make Broadway Musical Debut in LA CAGE

Posted: 11/30/09 at 9:02pm

It seemed to go over like gangbusters the night I saw it in London. And while the show is performed on an intimate scale, the physical production is fully realized, with plenty of sets and costumes. It's not exactly Chicago as far as what's onstage.
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
#36

re: It's Official: Kelsey Grammer to Make Broadway Musical Debut in LA CAGE

Posted: 11/30/09 at 9:09pm

A.J. Shively will be playing Jean-Michel.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#37

re: It's Official: Kelsey Grammer to Make Broadway Musical Debut in LA CAGE

Posted: 11/30/09 at 9:09pm

My friend who saw it in London said it was too minimal and didn't work.

Too minimal for what? It still had realistic representational sets. It wasn't some sort of conceptualized minimalism like the parade of Sondheim revivals. It was actually much more realistic in terms of characters and setting than the previous Broadway incarnations. Now, I can understand wanting more spectacle and glitz, but they certainly don't seem to be the sole components on which every production of the show must shoulder in order to compel its audience. It's not like this is Phantom of the Opera or Miss Saigon.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#40

re: It's Official: Kelsey Grammer to Make Broadway Musical Debut in LA CAGE

Posted: 11/30/09 at 9:34pm

There are six. And it works just fine. Rather than the Las Vegas-y extravaganzas of the original Broadway or revival productions, the club numbers look like something you might actually see at a drag club and a really giddy, inclusive atmosphere is created. From the opening number, where complete pandemonium breaks out in the theatre, I relaxed in my seat and had the most enjoyable time I've ever had at any production of La Cage.
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
#41

re: It's Official: Kelsey Grammer to Make Broadway Musical Debut in LA CAGE

Posted: 11/30/09 at 10:03pm

This production of La Cage is smaller than previous productions and IMO works a lot better, La Cage is more like a small sleazy drag club than a grand spectacle which the Broadway production and the fact the Cagelles aren't that convincing as women adds to the charm.
#42

re: It's Official: Kelsey Grammer to Make Broadway Musical Debut in LA CAGE

Posted: 11/30/09 at 10:03pm

+ two swings, who sometimes come on in the dress circle and dance in the can-can number. And it does work - wonderfully well, and should do on Broadway, though I'm sad the only original cast member is going to be Doug Hodge, as I'd previously heard some of the Cagelles would go over, but this now doesn't appear to be happening.

Looks like I'm seeing Hodge + Denis Lawson tomorrow night and am really rather overexcited about it, though nothing can possibly live up to Quast and Allam for me. Will try and make it over to see the NY production, but finances preclude that at the moment.

Updated On: 11/30/09 at 10:03 PM

#43

re: It's Official: Kelsey Grammer to Make Broadway Musical Debut in LA CAGE

Posted: 11/30/09 at 10:11pm

Rather than the Las Vegas-y extravaganzas of the original Broadway or revival productions, the club numbers look like something you might actually see at a drag club

That sounds like Arthur saying, "We can't have a processional at the end of West Side. It wouldn't be REALISTIC to remove the body from a crime scene."

I want MAGIC, not realism, said Blanche DuBois.

Updated On: 11/30/09 at 10:11 PM

#46

re: It's Official: Kelsey Grammer to Make Broadway Musical Debut in LA CAGE

Posted: 11/30/09 at 10:31pm

Looking forward to checking this La Cage out in the spring.

I have enjoyed past productions I've seen, even the often bashed 2005 revival, but I always leave wishing that the book had more of the pace, wit and energy of the "Birdcage" film.

I realize it won't happen in this production, but could/ should the book be tweaked/ updated a bit?
Laughter is much more important than applause. Applause is almost a duty. Laughter is a reward. Carol Channing
#47

re: It's Official: Kelsey Grammer to Make Broadway Musical Debut in LA CAGE

Posted: 11/30/09 at 10:38pm

I find it INCREDIBLY hard to believe that this will top the original direction by Arthur, in spite of everything, who did an absolutely incredible job on the direction of the original production. I am not a fan of the show, but Arthur's direction will be near impossible to beat... I'd put it on the level of any of the great musicals, btw. It was perfection.

Whatever this production has to offer will be a mere addendum to Arthur's work in the original. There are a thousand magical moments. Whatever extra credit Arthur may attempt to glean from GYPSY and WSS, I think it is clear he has not been given enough for his shaping and balancing of the material in the creation of the show.

P
#48

re: It's Official: Kelsey Grammer to Make Broadway Musical Debut in LA CAGE

Posted: 11/30/09 at 10:41pm

No, but "It's rather gaudy but it's also rather grand."

True. And this revival is gaudy and grand. The grandness is conveyed in the actors' successful portrayal that they are performing something grand. It's utterly infectious, as evidenced by the reaction of the sold-out audience the night I saw it from beginning to end. I truly hope the Broadway production can sustain the magic of what I saw in London.

That sounds like Arthur saying, "We can't have a processional at the end of West Side. It wouldn't be REALISTIC to remove the body from a crime scene."

I understand your skepticism, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how this production actually sacrifices less than what you'd expect while bringing you closer to the story. Having seen the original staging of La Cage, this time around, I didn't notice what I was missing, but what I had gained in this new production.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#49

re: It's Official: Kelsey Grammer to Make Broadway Musical Debut in LA CAGE

Posted: 11/30/09 at 11:42pm

"I still just think it's too early for another revival. I said the same thing about Gypsy. What Gypsy had was a huge diva like LuPone. He's not of the same caliber. At least I don't think so."

..Even if it had a 'huge diva like LuPone" Gypsy is an example of why a show shouldn't be revived too early, if anything, IMO. (Since it lost a lot of its investment).

Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.

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