La Cage Aux Folles
La Cage Aux Folles
La Cage Aux Folles#1
Posted: 12/22/13 at 6:40pmHey all! Now that it's been a while and given time for it to settle on peoples minds, I was wondering what did people think of the recent La Cage revival, especially with Harvey? I only heard a clip of Harvey singing I Am What I Am and found it surprisingly moving.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
La Cage Aux Folles#2
Posted: 12/22/13 at 10:47pm
It was much better with Harvey than with Douglas Hodge.
The show itself was, as always, a treat.
La Cage Aux Folles#2
Posted: 12/22/13 at 11:32pmI saw the tour of the revival with Chris Seiber. He was great.
La Cage Aux Folles#3
Posted: 12/23/13 at 9:08am
I got to see both Hodge and Fierstein and getting to compare their two approaches was very enlightening. (I may be hyperbolic, as time has passed so too does the memory harden into shape, so forgive if I overstate.) Hodge played the whole role as levels of artifice; everything about him, his physical manners to his phrasing and vocal techniques felt cribbed from other, female, performers. He was a man trying desperately to live in someone else's skin, which made "A Little More Mascara" and "I Am What I Am" hit on such an emotionally satisfying levels (for different reasons, respectively.) He also was blisteringly funny, with impeccable comic timing and effortlessly ruled the stage (when he wasn't shrinking in complete dissatisfaction with the man he actually was.)
Harvey, simply put, was Albin. He played the role with a command and authority that, even though he wasn't as manic and desperate for approval as Hodge's Albin was, earned such sympathy it was undeniable. It felt almost as if he wasn't even playing a character, the role came so natural to him (and why shouldn't it? He wrote the book!)
I found, personally, that I preferred Hodge's interpretation as a performance, but was incredibly satisfied by Fierstein's total ownership of the role.
All in all, it was just a great revival of the show.
La Cage Aux Folles#4
Posted: 12/23/13 at 9:47amI did enjoy the production, however I am a bigger fan of the previous revival and clips I've seen of the original. I feel like it was modernized a bit too much. It was a little too sexy for me. I also didn't like the smaller number of Cagelles and smaller production overall. But I did enjoy it for what it was. I just prefer the past incarnations.
Joined: 12/31/69
La Cage Aux Folles#5
Posted: 12/23/13 at 5:56pmFor anyone who saw both the original and the revival, how did the "seedier" approach compare to the original's lush production values?
La Cage Aux Folles#6
Posted: 12/23/13 at 6:03pmThe original production was and still is one of the most beautiful productions I have ever seen, IMO it was a groundbreaking masterpiece. I was I had the chance have seen Harvey in the role, Hodge was amazing as well.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
La Cage Aux Folles#7
Posted: 12/23/13 at 7:37pmThe original production was gorgeous, stylish, and in my opinion, superior to both revivals.
La Cage Aux Folles#8
Posted: 12/24/13 at 11:57am
Both very different and satisfying portrayals in their own way but Hodge gave a much more layered performance and was more credible. Not to mention good vocals.
But Fierstein was a total joy to see live - a real legend. And there is always something so radiant and warming when seeing Fierstein on stage
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