La Cage gossip?

#1

La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/7/04 at 11:14pm

I'm catching "La Cage" in mid-Dec. I know it has yet to begin, but is anyone hearing any buzz or behind-the-scenes gossip on it?
What's the dish, kids?

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"I am not 'a' Eunice Burns. I am THE Eunice Burns!!!"

#2

La Cage -- in Bush America, it may have new weight

Posted: 11/8/04 at 2:29pm

No gossip, but though few people were that excited about the show's return last spring, the world has changed again...

With the recent election determined by right wing paranoid response to "values", isn't CONTEXT everything? Won't Albin's "I Am What I Am" seem far bolder and even MORE political in Four More Years America? I don't see how the show can be seen exclusively as light, frothy entertainment when the demonization of gay people as "sinners" was used to summon people to the polls. This show is a celebration of gay monogamy as a "traditional value." So I must say, it's going to make the show more "relevant," even if unintended. Good timing, Harvey and Jerry. Let the show do its job as those fun-lovin' folk from the red states fill the orchestra seats.

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"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

Updated On: 11/8/04 at 02:29 PM

#3

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 2:32pm

A show that I don't think needed to be revived. Not excited at all.

#4

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 2:33pm

Hey DoReMi, here's my cornflakes. You wanna Piss in those, too?

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Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.

#5

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 2:38pm

I'm with DoReMi...the show just doesn't need to be revived...

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And you think of all of the things you've seen, and you wish that you could live in between ,and you're back again only different than before... After the Sky. -Into the Woods (Jack)

#6

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 2:42pm

Care to explain why not?

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Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.

#7

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 2:46pm

Gossip? Not that I've heard. I have my ear out for it, though. *thinks* Well, this isn't exactly gossip, but Gary Beach did say in an interview that Danny - Daniel Davis - was a good kisser.

#8

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 2:56pm

In those early years of the AIDS crisis, under the reign of another unsympathetic Republican president, La Cage became the angriest show in town. "We Are What We Are" was practically militant.

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"Gif me the cobra jool!"

#9

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 3:11pm

I'm sure why exactly -- perhaps it has a little something to do with the events of last Tuesday -- but I find myself really looking forward to this revival. For me, this and Dame Edna are just what the doctor ordered considering my malaise at the current state of the world.

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#10

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 3:29pm

Funny you should say that Margo. I'm poor as a church mouse right now but I'm coming back to NY at least one more time - On 12/8 I see La Cage and 12/9 it's Dame Edna. I'm really looking forward to both.

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www.thebreastcancersite.com
A click for life.
mamie4 5/14/03

#11

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 3:30pm

I'm extremely excited for this revival and am counting the days until Thursday's 1st preview. I've got primo seating in the $25 section, and this is the 1st time I'm seeing the 1st preview of something on Broadway. But even if I hadn't been lucky enough to get tickets, I've had very high hopes for this production since they announced the production staff. The fact that the cast is close to ideal doesn't hurt either. This is a revival I think is a good idea. I can't say the same for THE WIZ, SWEET CHARITY, or THE PAJAMA GAME (is that still happening?). All good shows in their time, and I wish all the best, but out of these 4 revivals, LA CAGE is the only one that I can see doing well and deserving it.

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"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers

#12

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 3:44pm

Has anyone heard anything about whether or not the show will be changed in any way? New orchestrations? Script changes? Or will it be more or less exactly as it appeared in the 80's?

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"Word of advice: Be who you are, wear what you want---just learn how to run real fast." Marc, UGLY BETTY

#13

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 3:44pm

I'm anxious to hear your comments after you see the show Matt.

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www.thebreastcancersite.com
A click for life.
mamie4 5/14/03

#14

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 3:47pm

From an interview with Jerry Herman:

Meanwhile, La Cage aux Folles, now in rehearsals toward a first preview of Nov. 10, was a smash hit and didn't need fixing.

Or did it?

"We tweaked," Herman admitted, "but they were small. [Librettist] Harvey [Fierstein] has added some funny new lines — not that he had to! We had a chance to make it even better. I added some funny lines for Georges in the son's song, 'With Anne on My Arm,' and it's made a difference. Only people who really know the show well will see the difference, but a lot of those places are stronger and funnier, but basically it's the same."

No new songs were added and no cuts were made. "The score is intact!" Herman said.

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"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers

#15

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 3:52pm

Yesterday, on the American Theatre Wing Seminar, Harvey Fierstein said that a couple of jokes that were deemed potentially "offensive" in 1983 and cut as a result have been restored (he gave an example of one -- very funny and very harmless -- and it's amazing how hyper-sensitive Arthur Laurents was in 1983).

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#16

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 3:52pm

I'm going to see it this Saturday. Oh my god, I can't wait. The waiting is killing me. Matt, I wish you could tell me all about it, but I'll be on my way to/in New York by the time you get back.

About changes - the show is also taking place current day, as opposed to in the eighties.

#17

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 3:53pm

I'll be sure and post my thoughts on Thursday's show. I'm expecting something pretty great, and it'll be interesting to see how it compares to the production I saw about 6 years ago in San Jose. AMT did a fantastic production with Lee Roy Reams in the lead, which absolutely blew me away at the time. I've been hoping for a good revival since then, so I couldn't be more delighted at how promising this production is looking on paper.

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"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers

#18

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 4:04pm

This show is more relevant today than any of the other shows currently on Broadway. I love fluffy shows, but every now and then you need a show that has a deep meaning.

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David walked into the valley With a stone clutched in his hand He was only a boy But he knew someone must take a stand There will always be a valley Always mountains one must scale There will always be perilous waters Which someone must sail -Into the Fire Scarlet Pimpernel

#19

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 4:34pm

I am most definitely planning to see the show in January, when I finish up my gigs here in Florida. Wouldn't miss it!!! Can't wait to see Gary Beach tear up the stage.

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Laughter is much more important than applause. Applause is almost a duty. Laughter is a reward. Carol Channing

#20

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 4:37pm

A few of us from the "adult" board have tickets for Friday night. Looking forward to it very much!

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"All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen." Conan O'Brien

#21

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 4:39pm

Pickalittle talkalittle pickalittle talkalittle

cheap! cheap! cheap!

Talkalot, pickalittle more.

Well, I heard that Gary Beach is fantabulous and this show is gonna be outstanding.

cheap! cheap! cheap!

Talkalot, pickalittle more.

Pickalittle talkalittle pickalittle talkalittle

cheap! cheap! cheap! cheap! cheap! cheap! cheap! cheap! cheap! cheap! cheap! cheap! cheap! cheap! cheap! cheap!

Pickalittle, talkalittle CHEAP!

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"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#22

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 4:41pm

Thanks for the info regarding updates/changes to the show. Can't wait to see it!

Was just realizing the OBC recording of LA CAGE was the first CD I ever bought, back when I was in high school.

I am so gay.

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"Word of advice: Be who you are, wear what you want---just learn how to run real fast." Marc, UGLY BETTY

#23

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 4:52pm

You are so gay! I bought the cast recording a few months ago. It's starting to scratch, I've listened to it so much.

CapnHook...I love you. I can imagine that in the song.

#24

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 4:59pm

Very excited about this. I'm seeing it in February. ^_^ I pulled a friend of mine away from the folly of seeing Bombay Dreams instead of it. Hah! Now she's going with us!

#25

re: La Cage gossip?

Posted: 11/8/04 at 5:16pm

Politically, I think reviving La Cage is smart. Personally, I don't really care for the show. I'm not a big Jerry Herman fan and I found the book to be somewhat bland. I'm just not a big fan of the stereotypes it portrays, but it's message of tolerance is unquestionably admirable.

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"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian