La Cage -revival --- Why?

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 6/20/04 at 7:05pm

So, LA CAGE is being revived. Why? Of all the Jerry Herman hits it is indisputably the weakest. And I find it's subject of adorably nutty and toothless drag queens very tired - though I guess a more interesting view of angry, dangerous drag queens ("Vaginal Creme Davis - The Musical!") is not what the family-friendly market could stomach.

Very dissapointed this show is coming back, unless the final result is heavily re-written.

Updated On: 6/20/04 at 07:05 PM

[Albin]

Posted: 6/20/04 at 8:24pm

From a Playbill On-Line article from Feb 2003:

Of La Cage, a 1983 hit written with librettist Harvey Fierstein, inspired by the play and film of the same name, Herman said, "My darling Harvey Fierstein has come up with a great idea for a way to do La Cage a second time and still keep it the La Cage that everyone knows — but make it fresh. I don't wanna give away his idea, but it's a lovely way to do it — a more gritty and exciting way to do it."

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/20/04 at 9:56pm

The recent revival of OKLAHOMA! was supposed to be "gritty" too. That meant putting its heroine in bib overalls and making her eat raw corn. What can possibly be instore for Albin and Georges?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/20/04 at 9:58pm

OT, but I suppose the dream ballet in the Oklahoma! revival would be considered "gritty" by some....

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/20/04 at 10:01pm

I think the original deMille staging of the Dream Ballet was far grittier than what Stohman came up with.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/20/04 at 10:03pm

Probably was, but I guess people still would consider the new one to be as well.

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 6/20/04 at 10:10pm

What exactly is "La Cage" about? I did a search online, and couldn't find a lot of information about it.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 6/20/04 at 10:14pm

did you search it's entire title, diva, "la cage aux folles"?

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 3:36am

I am very excited to hear what new ideas thay have in store for this show. I saw an outstanding production starring Lee Roy Reams a few years back, and it was the OBC that made me a George Hearn fan. with the right direction, I can see La Cage fitting in quite well on modern Broadway, and it could provide a great star turn for a deserving actor (please let it be Gary Beach!)

[SamIAm]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 7:34am

This show could breathe some new life again. I WOULD love to see Gary Beach take a bit out of this but I guess we'll see. Harvey is a very talented guy and very creative, so I'm hoping he will make us proud and give us some great new theater to anticipate.

If it's a rehash...I'm sure it will still attract a segment of the theater going public. Those who never saw it in its original incarnation. I'm not sure it would interest me to go see it again.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 8:17am

Thanks, Albin - Jerry's note that Harvey is making it "more gritty" ( a very good sign) has given me hope.

Updated On: 6/21/04 at 08:17 AM

[DAME]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 11:48am

I hope they treat the revival wih respect. Even though the fact that it is going into the Marquis and kelssey Gramer is starring in it makes me think it will be yet another tourist trap.

Updated On: 6/21/04 at 11:48 AM

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 12:04pm

Is Kelsey Grammer signed? I knew he was considering it but is it final?

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 12:23pm

What is this show about? All I know is that it deals with drag queens. I've never heard anything otherwise.

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 12:40pm

Oh, thanks papalovesmamabo- I'll try searching the entire title.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 12:47pm

i've never seen the show, but i love the movie "the birdcage" with robin williams and nathan lane, is it basically the same story line as that?

[DAME]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 12:55pm

Same story. And don't know if kelsey is officially signed but he has been saying in every single interview that he has done that he starts rehearsals right after completing filming the TV movie he is now doing.

[tpdc]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 1:39pm

I think Kelsey Grammer being cast is a good sign. The man knows how to play comedy, especially farce. And one of the worst things about the original production is that it was terribly unfunny. An episode of ER has more laughs than that production.

[Bobby457]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 2:01pm

Its not going into the Marquis tho. Its going into the Palace where it originally started.

[wicked4life51]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 4:32pm

well if you didnt know roger bart and gary beach from the producers will be starring in the new revival

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 5:35pm

It was announced last week that La Cage and All Shook Up would be switching theatres, with La Cage going into the Marquis and All SHook Up going into the Palace.

[scooter38432]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 12:10pm

First we hear Kelsey Grammer. Not a bad choice, but he has some pitch problems.

Then we hear Gary Beach. As WONDERFUL as he is, we've seen him do the drag thing already.

Now I'm hearing it's Gary Beach and Douglas Sills. I just don't see that. I think Sills is too young. Remember, he's supposed to have a son about to be married. I guess, in reality, he could be old enough, but having seen Gene Barry and Peter Marshall in that role, it seems to work better if they've got a little more "life experience". IMHO.

I think it should be Kevin Kline (in the non-drag role) and John Lithgow.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 12:15pm

Scooter - hate to burst your bubble - but Douglas Sills IS definitely old enough to have a son about to get married. No problem with casting him in that role.

Updated On: 6/23/04 at 12:15 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 12:22pm

Kelssey Grammer is a go.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 12:54pm

Is Kelsey playing Albin or George.

I'm looking forward to the revival. I hope Mr. Fierstein really redoes the book. I thought it was way too bland the first time. It should be intertesting to see what he does to it.