La Cage Aux Folles - Original Production- Page 4

[morosco]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 11:12pm

Well said Beadle.

[jv92]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 11:17pm

Jerry Herman would receive more concert tributes, except that most of the people willing to appear are either dead, performing on a cruise ship, or were previously committed to Sondheim: The 83 3/4ths Birthday Jubilee.

[all that jazz]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 11:40pm

After Eight,

I'm not really a one of the compulsive Sondheim fans, although I do understand the reason for their obsession. And I agree that it's a bit frustrating when people act like he's the sole almighty god of the musical theatre, however the behavior of some of his fans shouldn't deprive you of the privilege of knowing his glorious music. If you truly hate him, that's fine but how can you hate something you don't know? I'm not saying you have to watch the five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred concerts a year, (according to your observation) but if you have the time, I humbly recommend you watch the 80th or at least skip to the diva's round of showstoppers, which is beyond spectacular.

[jv92]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 11:43pm

But "Could I Leave You?" is "cold and ugly" and about a failed marriage! People can't be in unhappy marriages in After Eight's world. They have to die in an avalanche, or be married to their cats instead.

[After Eight]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 7:07am

All that jazz,

First, thank you for taking the time to post that link. That was very nice of you. Thank you too for your solicitude in my regard. That too was very nice of you, and I appreciate both greatly.

"how can you hate something you don't know?"

But that's the problem right there-- I DO know them, having seen his shows in the theatre--- much to my everlasting regret.

So I try to avoid hearing his songs again as much as possible.

But thanks again for your generosity.

[After Eight]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 8:12am

"Many of us find beauty, joy and warmth in Sondheim's work,"

Well good for you. But I sure don't, and neither do Bob and Carol from Roslyn, Clarice from the upper East Side, Tom from Jersey City, nor zillions of others from Maine to California.

If anyone is mis-characterizing his work, it's you. And relentlessly.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 11:42am

The best of times was then. And is now.

http://youtu.be/OP6hycig8yc

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 11:57am

If anyone is mis-characterizing his work, it's you. And relentlessly.

See the stupid part is that you make your point, After Eight, which I agree with, that people shouldn't chastise you for disliking Sondheim's work and stating your opinion ... but then you turn around and do the exact same thing to people who like Sondheim's work. And just as relentlessly.

That only makes you seem like ass, plus it totally negates the point you're trying to make.

And before you say "he/she started it!" that's the answer a six-year-old would give, and in the end it makes you as much of an instigator and a provoker as they are.

It's little wonder people think you're a troll around here. You act like one every chance you get.

[all that jazz]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 1:17pm

After Eight,

You're very welcome. What can I say, Sondheim is not for everyone...

[D2]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 1:52pm

Besty, why bother? A8 thrives on sh!tstorms, why stir up the dust?

And FTR (and back on topic) I'm with PJ here: I love both Sondheim and Herman. I love Bernstein. I love Styne. I love Coleman. I love R&H. I love Lerner & Lowe. I love Bock & Harnick.
I like Schwartz.

The original LA CAGE, as has been pointed out, was a breathtaking spectacle that rightly won its awards. The original SUNDAY... was a breathtaking work of art that unfortunately did not get the awards it deserved. Both shows provided me with emotional highs and reduced me to tears of joy.

Updated On: 7/28/13 at 01:52 PM

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 3:32pm

It's really too bad La Cage and Sunday have to be compared because they're such different shows, both are perfectly wonderful for different reasons. I cry more at Sunday but I giggle more at La Cage. If only La Cage had been videotaped like Sunday had!

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 5:45pm

At some point in the future, I hope a film adaptation will happen for La Cage.

All you need are two A-list leads and an A-list director, and it would get the green light.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 5:53pm

^ The sad part is, if there weren't bad blood from the Queen of Basin Street development period, Mike Nichols and the cast of The Birdcage would have been perfect.

[all that jazz]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 5:56pm

For what it's worth, I thought Nathan deserved an Oscar for his performance in the Birdcage.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 9:14pm

Well Mr. Eight, I would say that Sondheim fans who act in such a way are just dicks in general. I love his work along with that of R&H, B&H, Herman and many many others. He's just a different lens to enjoy theater and art through.

Thank you, Beadle. The truth is even those of us who think Sondheim the greatest lyricist and/or composer in Broadway history ALSO greatly admire the names you list (along with Porter, Rodgers & Hart, Weill, Lerner & Loewe, Loesser, etc.).

After Eight never seems to notice that we Sondheim lovers are also quite enthusiastic about others. (But I'm having such a senior moment: who are "B&H"? May I substitute K(ern)&H? Never mind. D2 gave me the answer: Bock & Harnick. Good choice!)

Updated On: 7/28/13 at 09:14 PM

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 9:18pm

I'm not denying Rodgers wasn't cold or even cruel later in life.

best12, I'm sure the story is apocryphal, but there must have been some reason for someone to invent the story about Rodgers locking Hart outdoors in the rain when Hart was dying of pneumonia. (Especially since there is considerable evidence of Rodgers looking out for his writing partner.)

Others please note: I do not believe the story about Hart being locked out in the rain. I'm saying somebody had it in for Rodgers to invent the story and for so many to believe it. Where there's smoke...

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 10:46pm

I ask this with the greatest of respect, but is there anyone from the original Broadway cast of "La Cage" who is still around? I love the available videos of the cast, in all their glory.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 12:04am

Well, George Hearn is still around, as is Merle Louise. I'm sure there are probably more than just those two.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 9:19am

There's also Jennifer Smith who most recently appeared in Nice Work... I saw her as Anne when I saw La Cage.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 9:58am

Well I know of two people who are extremely happy not only about the success of the original production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES but of it's two recent revivals: Edmondo Danon and his wife Pamela Tiffin. Edmondo's father Marcelo produced the original film as well as THE BIRDCAGE as he owned the rights. Once he passed away those rights were bequeathed to Edmondo.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 11:39am

I've got photos coming very soon from Palladium production!

My scanner is being rubbish but you'll get the idea- Dennis Quilley, George Hearn, Jonathan Morris, Phyllida Law, Julia Sutton and Brian Glover!

Not to mention the notorious Cagelles!

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 12:18pm

I wish I had been old enough to have seen the original production. I vividly remember the commercials that would air promoting the show. I was familiar with elements of the score via that commercial.

Once I got to high school I purchased the OBC and fell in love with it but never got to see it on stage in any incarnation.

I hear from friends that were fortunate to have seen it how important and special and ground breaking it was to them at a time when things were looking pretty bleak.

I also adore the illustration by Berta that graced all the advertisement for the show.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 1:42pm

Here is a slideshow Updated On: 7/29/13 at 01:42 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 2:24pm

Those are great pictures, devonian.t!

Thanks for posting them.

For those who haven't figured it out, here's the link. Click the "play" arrow to get the full slide show.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/99555972@N02/9395389284/lightbox/

[devonian.t]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 2:31pm

I'm glad they're showing up- I'm such an idiot with file sharing!