*.*.La Cage.*.* REVIEW [1/16]
*.*.La Cage.*.* REVIEW [1/16]
*.*.La Cage.*.* REVIEW [1/16]#0
Posted: 1/16/05 at 10:15pm
I saw La Cage Aux Folles today at the 3 o'clock show.
Bravo! Encore! 5 out of 5 stars!
This was one of the most entertaining and fulfilling shows I've seen on Broadway in quite awhile.
Let be begin by stating that Gary Beach and Daniel Davis impressed me beyond all belief. It was very new for me to hear a show sung almost entirely by men. I've been so used to hearing these belty females as the centerpiece for many of the shows I've seen, and this was a refreshing change.
Daniel Davis carries Georges with such a sweet manner and his dry humor makes him very enjoyable to watch and listen to. I also didn't know that the man could sing as well as he does. He made a very good impression upon me and gained a new fan. He landed each of his jokes wonderfully and drew you into his relationship with Albin.
Gary Beach had me in stitches with his Albin and he was also a powerful singer. I haven ever seen him in a show and he left a lasting impression on me. I"ll forever remember his Albin. I've seen the Birdcage and he is similar to Nathan Lane, but I didn't see his performance as a copy of Nathan's. The character is what he is and you cannot be too far fetched with it. Gary's 'I Am What I Am' brought down the house and I was almost frightened by Albin's intensity. Some people had tears in their eyes at intermission. I love that song. I think both leading men deserve TONY nominations.
Enough cannot be said about the Cagelles. They were the most amazing male dancers I've ever seen. This show has some of the best choreography as well. These men were leaping across the pit openings in the stage and landing in splits! My god! Not to mention the 'white bird' dancer slipping through this giant rolling cage. I felt like I was in a circus - only better! This group of men were worth the ticket price alone. Go see them now!
I thought Gavin Creel had a beautiful voice that was SO nice to listen to. The high notes were smooth and fit his voice very well I thought. I thought Gavin lacked in the acting department, however. My friend who saw it agreed with me that his acting wasn't on par with the other leading men of the show, but he wasn't terrible. I still liked him.
I like Angela Gaylor as Ann, but I wish she had more to do in the show. I could only hear her singing voice when she was singing with the others in a group number. She was sweet at the stage door, though!
The parents were very well done though they weren't in much of it. Michael Benjamin Washington was yet another highlight of the show. His 'Francis' had such attitude and was unbelievably funny. He had all the sass of the stereotypical black woman and some. Also, he moved great in heels. Perfect comedic timing and he stole many of the scenes!
Overall I thought this production was top notch. Not only was it hilarious and had you laughing after every line, but it also managed to touch you and make you leave with a good feeling. If this show does not at least get nominated for a TONY award, I will never see another Broadway show again!
re: *.*.La Cage.*.* REVIEW [1/16]#1
Posted: 1/16/05 at 10:20pmGlad you had a good time. I hope to catch this show in March...
Broadway Star Joined: 5/20/03
re: *.*.La Cage.*.* REVIEW [1/16]#2
Posted: 1/16/05 at 10:39pm
Michael Benjamin Washington played Jacob, the excentric "maid." Francis was the man with the headset on, who got engaged to Hanna.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/20/03
re: *.*.La Cage.*.* REVIEW [1/16]#3
Posted: 1/16/05 at 10:42pm
I saw the show last Sunday in the 3rd row center, and when Gary Beach sang the show-stopping "I Am What I Am," I wanted to get out of my seat at that moment and follow him down the aisle to shake his hand for giving me the best momemt in my theater history. Now, many of you may say that George Hearn was just as an amazing job with this number, if not better, but unfortunatly, I did not see the original, so I have nothing to compare it to but the Original Cast Album. However, seeing it live and so up-close, I could see the emotions portrayed on Albin's face, and I was in tears before he finished the first line of the song.
Les Cagelles were the main reason I saw the show, and I was not disappointed at ALL. Their leaps and twirls and high kicks made my eyes widen with excitment, and I had to keep reminding myself that they were all men. When the Bird sequence happened, I had to look in my program to be sure that the guy playing the White Bird was actually a man. But on stage, the were the lovliest ladies I have ever seen, and I could see how much fun they were having with their roles.
Daniel Davis was an equally pleasing highlight, and his "Song On The Sand" made me wish I had someone to sing that song to. Gavin Creel was not my favorite, but I thought he did an okay job. I loved the Dindon family, especially when they made their escape. I also loved the set, and I felt like I was actually in somebody's house, or at a fancy restaurant. Over all, it was one of my favorite shows that I have ever seen, and I'm hoping to go back shortly to get another fix.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/04
re: *.*.La Cage.*.* REVIEW [1/16]#4
Posted: 1/16/05 at 11:09pmjust a side note about angela gaynor, am i the only one who thinks she's make a great ariel in the little mermaid?
re: *.*.La Cage.*.* REVIEW [1/16]#5
Posted: 1/16/05 at 11:16pmLes Cagelles totally rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Air kisses to all of them.
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
re: *.*.La Cage.*.* REVIEW [1/16]#6
Posted: 1/16/05 at 11:18pm
Is that your dream, Phantom2...to become a Cagelle?
![re: *.*.La Cage.*.* REVIEW [1/16]](https://cloudimages.broadwayworld.com/board/icon_smile_big.gif){kind=icon}
re: *.*.La Cage.*.* REVIEW [1/16]#7
Posted: 1/16/05 at 11:23pmShhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Don't tell anyone! HAHA
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
re: *.*.La Cage.*.* REVIEW [1/16]#8
Posted: 1/16/05 at 11:30pmI have tickets for the show in May - glad to hear it has turned out to be quite a revival.
re: *.*.La Cage.*.* REVIEW [1/16]#10
Posted: 1/17/05 at 12:47pm
Sorry about the Francis mix-up. Thanks for the correction!
I wasn't sure about the white bird either. I thought: How could a man do all that? Especially at the point when his leg was lifted back so that his two legs made a perfectly straight line. Ahh!
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