My La Cage review

[ProducersFan]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 10:37am

Hi all! I just returned from a great day-trip to rainy and cold New York where I saw La Cage aux Folles. The Sunday to Friday before that we had been vacationing at Disney World where it was 80 degrees and sunny everyday so it was quite a shock to suddenly have to wear long pants and a warm jacket. And the umbrella didn't make for much fun either...

Unlike most trips, we stayed around the Marquis and didn't wander around due to the crappy weather. We lunched at John's Pizzeria which was good as always. Got to the theater a little early so I went to the box office to inquire as to the location of the stage door. Had three people accost me in the building itself as to if I wanted tickets! Found the stage door and hung out for a while watching the cast and crew enter.

The show itself completely blew me away. I am a huge fan of Gary Beach - having seen him twice as Roger DeBris in The Producers and I saw Daniel Davis in The Frogs where I thought he was excellent. But in this show I was just entranced by their performances. I had no idea Mr. Davis could sing like that! Brad Musgrove works a mean whip (made me jump everytime I'm ashamed to admit...). And the actor who played the maid (so sorry, I've forgotten the name already...) stole every scene.

The costumes and sets were amazing. And Mr. Beach looked great in every dress he appeared in. All of the cast looked like they were having the times of their lives and were really energized. Mr. Beach and a few of the La Cagelles in particular were just laughing and shouting like it was opening night. The performance really felt fresh to me and I liked that a lot.

As far as the story goes, I really enjoyed the way that they bring forth the conflict between Jean-Michael and Albin. My one complaint about The Birdcage has always been how the son just gives no regards to Albert's feelings and just plain acts like a jerk. Gavin gave a wonderful moving performance as a man who is torn between his own feelings and those of his mother's and I loved it. My mom told me afterwards that his reprise of "Look Over There" almost had her in tears.

The people sitting next to us never smiled or laughed during the entire show and only lightly clapped at the end. They were in the vast minority as the show received a tremendous, and in my opinion well-deserved, standing ovation at the end.

Afterwards we went to the stage door where I was able to meet the father (who took the time to have a nice conversation with my father), the daughter, Gavin Creel (yum!), and Daniel Davis. A man announced that Gary wouldn't be coming out, which I completely understood so we left after that. I had wanted to meet him badly, but fate will bring us together another time.


On the bus home the two women sitting next to us had seen Wicked that afternoon - the fateful matinee. I wish Idina the quickest of recoveries and hope she gets back on her feet soon. How horrible for something like that to happen to her at any time, but especially now.

So there you have my long, rambling review. All in all I give La Cage a big thumbs up and reccommend it highly to anyone who is wanting a fun day at the theater.

And remember, what happens at La Cage, stays at La Cage.
~Jessica

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 10:39am

great review...i agree completely!

[Albin]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 2:27pm

Thanks for the review. I am so looking forward to seeing this in May. I'll have to pass the time reading a Jerry Herman biography "Jerry Herman, Poet of the Showtune" to pass the time.

[Glebb]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 2:28pm

I saw the original cast at the Palace and loved this one very much. I hope it has a very long run. It should.