La Cage Aux Folles

[Younger Brother]

Posted: 12/22/13 at 6:40pm

Hey 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.

[After Eight]

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.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 12/22/13 at 11:32pm

I saw the tour of the revival with Chris Seiber. He was great.

[jnb9872]

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.

Updated On: 12/23/13 at 09:08 AM

[dreamcoat12]

Posted: 12/23/13 at 9:47am

I 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.

Posted: 12/23/13 at 5:56pm

For anyone who saw both the original and the revival, how did the "seedier" approach compare to the original's lush production values?

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/23/13 at 6:03pm

The 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.

[After Eight]

Posted: 12/23/13 at 7:37pm

The original production was gorgeous, stylish, and in my opinion, superior to both revivals.

[Parsley]

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