LA CAGE: Quite Sad, a little Angry, still dedicated, but moving on...

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 9:04pm

Well...the day has come! The current revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is closing on June 26th. For those of you who know my personal attachment to the show and have put up with me for the last 9 months of its rather extraordinary run...a huge THANK YOU!

This board gave me an outlet to spread my sometimes extensive joy and love for one my all time favorite pieces of Musical Theatre. And for that and all of you who have joined on my crusade to love LA CAGE or argued w/me to the at nausium - I am greatful for the oprotunity to spread any word for this beautifully crafted show.

I had prepared myself for the last week or two for this notice to be posted due to the box office reciepts and when it was posted today...I did indeed shed a tear or two. But, through my sadness I am happy for having been able to experience LA CAGE and its incredable on and off stage story this theatre season.

Still, a bit of Anger twords the shows Producers and Marketing team make my blood boil. For all their misdoings getting LA CAGE out and accessable to the fans, they should be punished. With the right people in place, I believe LA CAGE could have been around as long as PHANTOM...it doesn't take science to figure out how they are getting people to see their show. But...I digress...they have not listed to me or any other vocal fan up until now, I dont know why they would begin.

However, I still am dedicated to getting an album made if the right funds were to become available and the cast were to agree. Which, brings me to the cast and my plea to all of the theatregoers on this board and across the world. BUY TICKETS TO SEE "LA CAGE" BEFORE IT CLOSES! It does indeed boast one of the most talented casts on Broadway today and that was proven at this years Tony Awards! GARY BEACH is indeed one of the sweetest men on Broadway today, and the chorus of LA CAGELLES are an unbeatable combination that should not be missed by any musical theatre fan! GO SEE THE SHOW FOR THE TALENT AND SUPPORT OF A VERY DESERVING COMPANY - WHO DESERVED MUCH BETTER THAN THE TREATMENT THEY GOT FROM THEIR PRODUCTION TEAM! They are the Tony Award winning Cast after all and deserve all of our support. So I beg of you, no matter what your views on the backstage drama, support the art form and the show till its dying day.

That being said, it is time for me and everyone involved to move on and ring in the 05-06 theatre season with as much and more joy and compassion that we did this past season. LA CAGE will live on in all of hearts for years to come, some more than others, but nonetheless...THE BEST OF TIMES certainly was now!

Again - THANK YOU to all of you, the entire Cast (past & present), and Broadway for still being a vital part of the American culture...its too bad we still, 20 years later aren't willing to accept and appricate the genuine and heartfelt homosexul story of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES!

[apdarcey]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 9:05pm

i can't believe they never recorded this. that's a sin.

[MusicalComedyMan]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 9:16pm

The unions make cast recordings SOOOOO expensive. You should start a campaign to get AEA and AFTRA to change their rules!!!

[ProducersFan]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 9:20pm

LaCageFan2, I am SO with you, and always have. I have been a fan of this show from the beginning and feel blessed that I got to see it in January with the original cast. In order to do my small part, I just purchased a ticket for Saturday night. It was a $25 rear mezz as I am a poor college student but I want to help in any way I can. I am just sorry that all of the talented performers, including Gary (who I am a HUGE fan of), will now be out of work. I wish them all the best in the future, whatever it may bring them.

I look forward to Saturday, but with a heavy heart...

~Jessica

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 9:36pm

Thank you all SO MUCH for supporting the show...go get your tickets at TDF on the website if your a member!

[Matt_G]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 9:36pm

Updated On: 5/10/06 at 09:36 PM

[Thenardier]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 9:37pm

Matt, go Saturday.

[Corine2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 9:38pm

Keep the faith.
It is not over till Tracy Turnblad sings and Jerry I am not singing!

[Matt_G]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 9:38pm

Updated On: 5/10/06 at 09:38 PM

[Glebb]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 9:39pm

Look for the choreographic quote from Giselle Act II (I wrote about it in the "Original Choreography" thread) in the Can-Can.

[justme2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 10:08pm

I was wondering where you were Lacagauxfollesfan2!

I feel badly for you. Anyone who enjoys a show as much as you did this one understands your frustration with the producers and the negative posters.

Sorry it didn't run longer for you!

[Corine2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 10:09pm

I am sorry for The CAGELLES.
;-(

[justme2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 10:11pm

We KNOW where you stand corine2! :)

[tpdc]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 10:33pm

LaCageauffollesfan2, it's always sad when your favorite show closes. You shouldn't think that it's closing due to people not being able to accept or appreciate a homosexual love story though. It was a big hit in its original run, it is often produced around the country and the film versions were big hits. It's getting harder to turn a revival into a genuine hit. There have been excellent revivals in recent years that have not been hits. I don't think it had anything to do with the subject matter.

[Marlothom]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 11:35pm

I saw this production 2x and I must say that it had some of the best dancing I have seen on Bway. I think of the reasons why it closed, and sad to say it, it's because the producers never sold it as the BIRDCAGE: The Musical. I stood in line a TKTS the ohter day and tourist were asking me about shows and when I told them this, they bought tickets for it. I am sad to see this show go...the dancing is spectacular...ah well. I am confident these actors will find work elsewhere and SOON.

[noahrp3]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 11:50pm

what was the backstage drama???

[Mamie]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 11:53pm

LaCageauxfollesfan2 - Your dedication and constant support of this show has been wonderful. I think I feel as bad for you as I do for the Cagelles and Michael and Gary et al.

I believe that the total lack of support by the producers of this show, multiplied (MANY times) by the horrendous way Daniel Davis was let go, are completely to blame for the awful way it has ended. It's just terribly sad - any way you look at it.

(And Corine2: I've said it before - If I had the $$$ the Cagelles would be the featured act in their own cabaret right now. They were/are incredible. If the American Theatre Wing couldn't recognize it, maybe a 'First Time Ever Broadway World Award' wouldn't be amiss!)

[Marlothom]

Posted: 6/8/05 at 12:05am

Thanks, good luck on Gypsy
Also, i think a commercial featuring le cagelles would have helped...i am glad Jerry got his Tony. And i am sure these dancers will find work elsewhere, they made me fall in love w/ bway once more.

[joeybiltmore1]

Posted: 6/8/05 at 12:12am

To LaCageAuxFollesFan2:

I greatly admire your dedication to this show. I haven't always agreed with your opinions (I LIKED it a lot, but didn't LOVE it although I wanted to), but your enthusiasm for the show and your many well-written comments have been a huge boon to the board. Any show would be lucky to have you in their corner.

Cheers -

Joey

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 6/8/05 at 12:43am

Well said, buddy!

You know I'm completely with you on all of this. I definitely shed a tear, too, when I read the news.

I wish I could say that I'm not bitter at how horribly the producers handled everything (be it the lack of marketing or their getting rid of Davis), but I am. If this extraordinary show had been advertised, promoted, and given a cast recording in the first couple months (so sad we still don't have one), I feel it truly would have gone so much further.

Regardless, like you and others have said, I am just thankful for my experiences with this production and will cherish them fondly.

I wish everyone in the cast and crew the best of luck!

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 6/8/05 at 8:40am

Thank you all for your kind words...I do appriciate them. Please though, Go support LA CAGE AUX FOLLES and try to see it very very soon!

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 11:57am

Please folks...if you can afford to, or did enjoy the show the first time around, or haven't seen LA CAGE AUX FOLLES yet...support one of the most talented casts on Broadway and enjoy THE BEST OF TIMES!

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 12:03pm

As for it being expensive to record, isn't there some clause whereby if a show has been closed for a certain amount of time, the cast don't get paid for recording it? I seem to recall that's how Amour was able to be recorded. I might be wrong though.

[grizzabella]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 12:20pm

LaCageAuxFollesFan2, your dedication has been admirable. I haven't always agreed with you, and I second Mamie (and others) over the reprehensible way Daniel Davis was treated. With decent marketing, a cast recording available in December (Wouldn't THAT have been great for the holidays?)and some committment from those in the Neaderlander organization, who knows what might have been? It's sad, it didn't have to be this way, and I feel for you - and for all of us who loved ANY part of this production.

[robbiej]

Posted: 6/9/05 at 12:30pm

Pop,

There's a certain minimum that must be paid to actors if a cast recording is being made and the production is currently running. After a certain period after the show closes, the actors need not be paid that minimum...but they most certainly should be paid. I know I wouldn't do a recording for free (especially after getting f*cked over once for making a free recording).