La Cage gossip?

[virgil blessing2]

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?

[Auggie27]

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.

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

[DoReMi]

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

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

[popcultureboy]

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

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

[DickonDefysGravity]

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

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

[popcultureboy]

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

Care to explain why not?

[Mythus]

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.

[magruder]

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.

[MargoChanning]

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.

[Mamie]

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.

[Broadway Matt]

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.

[LoringsGuy]

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?

[Mamie]

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

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

[Broadway Matt]

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.

[MargoChanning]

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).

[Mythus]

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.

[Broadway Matt]

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.

[jacobtsf]

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.

[Dolly_Levi]

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.

[mominator]

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!

[CapnHook]

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

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

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Talkalot, pickalittle more.

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Pickalittle, talkalittle CHEAP!

[LoringsGuy]

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.

[Mythus]

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.

[Taryn]

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!

[Mister Matt]

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.