LA CAGE Opening Night

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 11:02pm

Just walked in the door from the opener down at the Marquis. The crowd was packed, wealthy, and well-dressed, and they absolutely ate up the performance.

Everything has looked extremely promising at last night's and tonight's shows. Small things went wrong at both but overall the energy of the cast has never been higher, and the production itself has never been tighter. Everyone was in great form and clearly having a wonderful time. I've made my opinion of the show clear. I'm now eager to see what the press makes of it over the next few hours. In any case, the audiences I've seen there have only gotten larger and more enthusiastic since the 1st preview.

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 11:04pm

What was the deal with the suitcase? Did they not notice it'd fallen into the pit.

Good show tonight; tighter than three weeks ago, and still so much fun.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 11:07pm

oh they noticed! everyone noticed. I was surprised they let it sit there for the rest of the show but I think it would have been even more distracting had someone gone and fished it out. it fell in a very awkward position to remove gracefully.

[bythesword84]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 11:32pm

Of course they noticed it fall into the pit, if they hadn't noticed it they wouldn't have picked it up later on. I just think that it was better for them to ignore it for the time being instead of drawing attention to it.

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 11:34pm

True, although Angela could have grabbed it on her way out of that scene.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 11:37pm

I think they handled it fine. I was a little nervous that someone was going to try and be a hero, which could have gone badly given the fast pacing of the final 10 minutes. That cowboy sh*t don't fly on opening night.

[bythesword84]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 11:38pm

Broadway Matt I take it you love the show? You seem very enthusiastic.

[liotte]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 11:46pm

I enjoyed tonight's performance. I had never seen the show before, but I thought the cast did a great job, it was a lot of fun, and I would definitely recommend the show to friends. Updated On: 12/10/04 at 11:46 PM

[Ellie3]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 11:50pm

Matt, do you work at the Marquis? How have the crowds generally been reacting?

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 11:53pm

LOL. No I don't work there but I've been to La Cage 4 times now. First preview, another time a week later, final preview, and opening night. I promised myself no more until February. I need to save energy and (more importantly) money for the Off-Broadway run of "...Putnam County Spelling Bee" starting in January. William Finn is my favorite composer and the cheapest tix for that are $60.

As for the crowds, they've been amazing, especially the last 2 nights. I know that's to be expected of the final preview and opener, but I've got my fingers crossed it keeps up.

Updated On: 12/9/04 at 11:53 PM

[liotte]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 12:05am

Broadway Matt, where were you sitting?

[bythesword84]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 12:15am

I'm interested to know what made you love it. I was there tonight, my first time seeing the show ever, and it was a show that while I don't dislike it, I don't think it was very memorable.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 12:26am

Does anyone know why the theatre was not full? There were two full rows on both sides of the mezzanine emptry right in front of the $50 section or $25 or whatever.

I'm sorry but I kept looking at the suitcase and with they had gotten rid of it. Why did the conductor stick his hand out to stop it when there was a net there to catch it? Or, maybe they shouldnt have the net athere and just let it fall into the pit so people wouldnt have noticed it.

What was with Daniel Davis' voice cracking? That was weird. Was he on pitch the whole time?

Did anyone else thing Harvey looked like Santa Clause?

The show was cute. Wouldn't see it again or buy the soundtrack though.

What famous people were there?

[bythesword84]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 12:32am

Well in front of one of the Mezz empty rows (left side) was Michael Arden. I also saw Regis, Joe Mantello, and Jai Rodriguez (sp)

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 12:41am

Every time I've been, I've been in the $25 last row seats, but we did sneak down to front Mezz the 1st 2 trips when there was more space down there. Tonight I was on the right side, seat 10 I believe.

Bythesword, I love it for a lot of reasons. I saw a great production a few years ago at AMT San Jose and fell in love with the music, which I was thrilled to see on TV a few months later during the Goodwill Games when they did that Herman tribute that featured Hearn sing "I Am What I Am" and Lee Roy Reams (who I saw as Albin in SJ) in the title number. I mainly love that it's gaudy and spectacular, which is always fun, but also manages to have a great heart behind it with some wonderful characters and a simple, happy message within a simple, happy story. I couldn't have seen it this many times, though, is I didn't love the songs. Those are the 1st thing I get tired of in lesser shows. I wrote a looooong review of the 1st preview:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=529239#529239

bronx, why do you think that empty row was there? to keep us riff-raff from bothering, touching, or talking to the important people in the 1st 10 rows of Mezz.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 12:44am

You know what Matt, now that you mention it, that thought did cross my mind that it happened to be two comepletely empty rows in the same opposite rows right behind that $100 section. hmm. I never though of myself as riff raff but thats kind of what it is!! hahah

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 1:00am

yeah it was a little disheartening, but it's understandable. knowing what a big fan (or fanatic) someone has to be in order to snatch up the few opening night seats they released for sale, it would've been a bad idea to have them directly behind all those bigwigs. I would've had a hard time not bugging those people if they were an arm's length away.

EDIT: the only famous person I spotted (other than those involved in the production) was Rosie O Donnell. and last night I walked past Michael Musto at intermission.

Updated On: 12/10/04 at 01:00 AM

[Ellie3]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 1:18am

Rosie O'Donnell seems to go to the opening of an envelope...love her 'though!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 3:17am

I posted my review of tonight's performance in the LA CAGE REVIEWS...NEWSDAYS IS OUT thread, or something like that.

I could not have been more bored by this production. I don't see it lasting. As for the Tonys? Not sure about nominations, but as far as winning, I see costumes and choreography. Nothing else is very good.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 3:27am

feh! to each his own. **shrugs**

as for Tony's, I predict costumes and choreo to win, and Best Revival. Beach and Davis will both get Best Actor noms but probably lose to someone from Spamalot. I'm willing to bet Les Cagelles are featured somewhere in the broadcast too, hopefully the opening song.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 3:32am

I don't see Davis or Beach being nominated - they're very forgettable. HOPEFULLY Les Cagelles will get the recognition they deserve - they are why we need a Best Ensemble category.

I just can't see how this production could have been much worse. It's so sad - they had such good material. Jerry Zaks is at his best again...

[populargreengal]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 4:19am

Daniel Davis is AMAZING! Not even kidding- actually outshines Gary at times. What a voice--who knew? And Angela Gaylor could be a Glinda!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 4:22am

It's not hard to outshine Gary Beach in this show, honey, and you're right - Daniel Davis DOES outshine him. The entire show. But not by much...

Angela barely sings in the show...how is that qualifications for Glinda???

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 8:16am

Daniel Davis' voice cracked horibly.

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 9:25am

I wouldn't be surprised if both gentlmen get nominated, ala Wicked 2004.

And yes, we were sitting right behind Michael Arden, who I kept smiling at during intermission. Also saw the Philbins, Rosie, and Leslie Uggams. Loving the Harveybeard.