"La Cage" at City Center- Page 6
"La Cage" at City Center
"La Cage" at City Center#125
Posted: 6/20/26 at 10:51pm
Yeah, the staging of "Mascara" was the low point for me. Really just baffling. I think it would have helped the show a lot to see Billy in that more vulnerable place at the top and put himself through a real transformation. (Low point of the show in general, the low point of the star performance was the stumble through the title number.)
I thought he was funnier in the second act than the other Albins I've seen, "Masculinity" was a highlight. Mother had me in stitches in a way I really don't remember Douglas Hodge doing. One of the places I suspect he's gotten a lot stronger since dress.
"La Cage" at City Center#126
Posted: 6/21/26 at 10:35pm
man you all are tough on billy porter. he was phenomenal tonight, giving it 1000% (for better and sometimes worse), and bringing down the house to close Act 1.
i agree the production is pretty basic- this is my first time seeing this show, and im sure when you compare it to the better full productions, it feels wanting. but its a handsome, well paced evening, and they do ok with creaky book/story that doesnt feel all that vital in 2026.
porters voice is shot, we know this, but it lends the night a kind of suspense as you see him work some magic turning it into a very impressive vocal performance. he does some shtick that is overkill to me, but the audience eats it up and he really is perfectly cast as Albin. Brady is a nice foil, and the show really benefits from the delicious comedy Tonya Pinkins and especially James Jackson Jr.
As for being on book, there were a few book scenes where Porter leaned on a script, and one musical number he danced around with a binder---only the latter really distracted me. He did go up on a line and then made a comment like "ten days, bitches" and the place went nuts with approval. Shticky, but overall this was absolutely a fully developed and impressive performance. I Am What I Am was extraordinary.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/30/17
"La Cage" at City Center#127
Posted: 6/21/26 at 10:55pm
The book/story can be a lot of fun when well directed. The direction of this production somehow ruins the the vitality of the show - and some of the performances. It's quite fascinating.
It was clear when Jenny Gersten came out night one NYCC wasn't pleased with he outcome - all but apologizing mentioning the difficulty of doing a "farce without doors". So, maybe O'Hara should have used doors if he doesn't know how to stage without them?
"La Cage" at City Center#128
Posted: 6/22/26 at 1:15am
I actually thought this was pretty well done.
As someone whose first and only exposure to La Cage Aux Folles was the dumpster fire that was Sam Pinkleton's production at Pasadena Playhouse, I went into this with a certain level of dread knowing my last experience with the show and Billy Porter's history (both as a person and a performer) could combine to make this a dreadful night at the theater. I must say, however, that it (almost) completely won me over. This is a very beautiful and simple show that is well performed and presented here.
To start off with, the biggest question mark of the night turned into the biggest thrill -- Billy Porter is pretty fantastic here. The voice is certainly incredibly damaged (though not as much as Cahoon's was), but he navigates it well for the most part and you forgive the few times it cracks because he's also acting his butt off. I do think it's a great match of character and performer here because it plays to his strengths and avoids his weaknesses. I also only found the book distracting in one scene, and for the other scenes where he was on book, he did a wonderful job of staying engaged and engaging in the scene nonetheless. And yes, his I Am What I Am is simply magnificent; there was an immediate and large standing ovation for him as he exited the stage.
The rest of the cast is quite solid; I was happy to see Wayne Brady, who I've been mixed on in the past, turn the charm up to 11 in a very suave performance. Tonya Pinkins is a hilarious Jacqueline, and James Jackson Jr. is scene-stealing as Jacob. I do wish that Alaman Diadhiou was a stronger singer as Jean-Michel, but you can't win them all.
The parts that did not work for me with this production were the modernization parts. It's a La Cage that does not know what time period it is supposed to be in, and it gets confused when they whip out a cell phone, or reference Beyoncé, or adlib modern slang. It feels weird, out of place, and adds nothing to the night. This is a minor grievance, though, and I do not think it breaks the night; it's a wonderful feel-good night of musical theater.
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