Nathan as Albin? What are the chances?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 3:16pm

Hey, with Jerry Zaks on board to direct the revival of TWGM what are the chances of Nathan Lane doing it on stage? I have a feeling it is already in the works. And talk about Box Office appeal!

Nathan... or, er... I mean, does ANYONE have any inside scoop?

Who else could do it? What about Georges?

Updated On: 12/30/03 at 03:16 PM

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 3:43pm

The rumor was that Gary Beach was being pursued for Albin.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 4:10pm

True, Nathan Lane would be good casting for the role, but a couple things make me think not.

First and foremost, he has played the role before in The Birdcage. Same story, different script, film rather than theatre, no songs, but definitely the same role.

And then how much money would he want for a strictly commercial venture? A lot. 100-125 grand per, maybe a piece of the overall profits, and that combined with a co-star of some heft and a lavish production, spells out a new top ticket price, perhaps as high as $125 and is any producer going to take that risk? Maybe not right away.

Then would he commit to another demanding musical role for a year? He'd have to sign for that long so the backers have a shot at making their money back.

Gary Beach is far more affordable. So are all of us for that matter.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 4:23pm

WOSQ, good points, but Beach does not have the Marquee value with the tourists. The Birdcage was a huge success as a film with mainstream audiences and Nathan's name would certainly guarantee a hit with people who loved the movie but wouldn't know Gary Beach from Brad Oscar!

Updated On: 12/29/03 at 04:23 PM

[Jack42]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 4:29pm

Given the recent posts and article by Marc Shaiman, my vote goes to Marc and Scott playing Albin and Georges

And then for all those people that seem to be clamoring for Adam Flemming to be featured - he can play the son.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 4:43pm

The idea of a revival of LA CAGE is ho-hum in my opinion. Do Broadway audiences really want yet another drag/gay musical?

The idea of Nathan in LA CAGE has a been there, bought the postcard feel to it. Besides its like adding another piece of fruit to Carmen Miranda's headpiece.

If forced to produce this revival, interesting casting to me would be to cast someone like a Stokes Mitchell as Albin opposite hummm, I dunno...James Naughton?...you get the idea.

Yours for a better Broadway!

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 4:47pm

OMG! Marc and Scott would be hilarious!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 4:51pm

Since most people feel the book needs some re-writing anyway, why not re-invent it along the lines of a Female Odd Couple and have Ellen Degeneres and kd lang star. Now who wouldn't pay to see that?

[tpdc]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 8:58pm

Isn't Harvey reworking the book? I thought even Jerry Herman said that the book would have to be revised for a Broadway revival. I can't see Nathan doing the role. Unless Harvey really works wonders on the book, Nathan already has played the role in a much better version. I do hope at least one of the leads is openly gay this time and that there is some affection shown between the leading men as well.

[shermanslave]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 9:08pm

I dunno about a revival of this show. I too would like to see a show about a gay relationship that does not involve drag queens. I know Falsettos was so long ago, but it was nice to see a show about gay men who were not big swishy queens. However, it could probably be a success because the masses could flock to it to show how open they are about "the gays".

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 9:13pm

I'm with Sueleen. Bring on the gals. Or midgets, or anything. Gary Beach in another dress? Why?

We had a huge thread about this about a month ago, and I opined that introducing gay marriage might bring it into this decade. But even then, the whole drag milieu and tight-sphinctered straight people loosening up after being around those gosh-darn fun-lovin' gays in their messa' sequins ... is so been there/done that. Even for your greener bridge and tunnel-ites. I think everyone has seen this material, more recently in dinner theaters with 30 minute intermissions to sell fruity drinks. It's simply too devoid of surprises to be freshened. I would prefer a snazzy "Mame," if we are overdue a Herman.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 10:29pm

Don't get me wrong, I am not all that excited about this revival, either. But if it's gonna happen, there is nothing I can do about it but sit back and be an armchair casting director. (My couch is being re-upholstered)

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 11:03pm

My sources tell me that Gary Beach is being sought to play Georges. Denis O'Hare is being considered for Albin.

[tpdc]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 11:58pm

Is O'Hare's voice good enough to bring down the house with I Am What I Am? Beach could do it. I'd much prefer to see Beach as Albin. Beach is wonderful when he goes over the top and I find O'Hare off putting when he does it but terrific when he underplays.

[GladysBumps]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 12:17am

Gladys must add her two cents--which is about all her opinion is worth these days. I remember sitting in my seat at The Palace thinking: "What's going on?" "The bravest thing about this production is Jerry Herman's lyrics!" Lord knows the book was so wishy washy as to make you puke, and those two MANLY MEN in the leads were just . . . well, self conscious is an understatement! Forget that I think George Hern is a drip, casting Alben as a base baritone just flattened out "I Am What I Am," which has so much more color when interperated by a lyric baritone(hear LeRoi Reems, or Gloria Gaynor, for that matter (I jest). Since Arthur Laurents is the last person in the world one can accuse of not being brave, I suppose he had his reasons for the casting. I vaguely recall him sort of justifying it in his brilliantly dishy book, for the sake of not having a total commercial disaster, or somesuch. But staight or gay, as someone said before me, it would have been nice if the two leads had some chemistry. Like I'd even believe they'd go out for a beer after the show.

Yeah, if they must revive this dinosaur, it's time to have two card carrying homosexuals in the leads. In lieu of Nathan, who I'm sure would rather drink his own urine, How about Howie McGillin? I hate the fact that that poor baby has to return to "Phantom" to pay the alimony and child support just because "Bounce" didn't. Give a girl a brake!
Audition Howard, you silly SOB's!

But then, what do I know?
Gladys

[etoile]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 12:25am

I don't usually like to speculate on casting a role, but I would not be at all displeased if Alan Cumming played Albin. Hell, I wouldn't be displeased to see Cumming in anything on stage again. He's been too long gone.

...or...

Hello, Roundabout, are you listening??? THE FOREIGNER, Charlie Baker, Alan Cumming. Hello!

[GladysBumps]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 10:56am

Yes, and subtlety has always been his strong point. In the event that happens I'll buy Jerry Zachs the chair and the whip.
Too bitchy?
Gladys

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 11:09am

A revival of LA CAGE has "doom" written all over it. Remember the '83 revival of MAME with Angela? They were hoping it would become the hottest ticket in town, only to have to bring it in months early because there were no ticket sales on the road. It lasted NOT very long. And that was with the original star, a legendary star.

LA CAGE has always been a yawn -- I agree with everyone on the thread. As for Harvey re-working the book, I only have this to say: WHAT book?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 11:49am

What made the MAME revival so lame was the fact that it was a tired production. It literally limped where it should have strutted. So many of the cast members had played their roles in the original production and on tour that they were literally phoning in their performances.

Color me foolish, but I somehow think that LA CAGE stands a better chance for success. With a new director and a new production team, this show just might click. Besides, the Jerry Herman score has always delighted me.

Updated On: 12/30/03 at 11:49 AM

[sheekala]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 12:52pm

perhaps this will allow Jerry Zaks to redeem himself after his less than stellar take on Little Shop, or yet another chance to place gags where there should be heart.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 8:27pm

Whether it works or not, it won't be because Mr. Yuck-yuck Zaks directs. LA CAGE may thrill the humble masses again, it's not for me to judge. But why not a new musical about (gay or straigh, or both) lives, that doesn't ... pander so? And make drag a metaphor for ... being "DIFFERENT?" Please, aren't we past that? More critically, why revive, revive, revive until we have nothing left but OUR AMERICAN COUSIN to re-examine? There are writers out there, and we must invest in them! Messrs. Laurents, Herman, and yes, even St. Harvey--the beloved Mrs. Claus whose white fur I kiss--don't need the moolah. Let's get some new voices, new blood. Or a new play or musical by Harvey, frankly. Where IS ...HIS new work??? Watching a man in a dress sing "I Am What I Am" right now seems so off-point. We all know what he "are," we need to move past that and find another resonance in gay experience besides identity angst. Excuse me, but Stonewall was in 1969, after Judy's death. Judy herself is now a supporting player in the Bi-sexual narcissist from OZ, let's move on.

Updated On: 12/30/03 at 08:27 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 9:17pm

Thank you, Auggie.

The idea of a LA CAGE revival is so dull and lame. Who else but gay men of a certain age would think that yet another musical about gay men in drag would be pertinent in 2004 and beyond?

There are hundreds of talented new theatre writers aching and derserving for their work to be produced. And they are writing in interesting and intelligent ways on topics that are more universal than this pandering piece.

Sorry folks, but the more I think of this idea the more I dislike the whole thing.

And I love Jerry's other work (mostly). Damn, I'd rather have a revival of TWHM, with a new star. That would be much more fun!

Yours for a better Broadway!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 9:23pm

Regarding the question aboout whether Denis O'Hare's singing voice is powerful enough to bring down the house with "I Am What I AM":

The most effective rendition I've seen/heard of this song was in a summer stock production of LA CAGE in our local theater. The fellow playing Albin intensely spoke his way through most of the song, making each line a bullet that went straight to the heart, literally spitting out the words. He pulled out all stops in the last few lines and it was a powerful version of the song. Not a dry eye was to be found in the audience--even the football player who'd been dragged to the show by his girlfriend was in tears. Not even George Hearn pulled of the number as well.

No, I don't think vocal skill is required for this song. Emotional intensity is the key. Denis O'Hare has that in spades.

[GladysBumps]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 11:56pm

Auggie you said a mouth full! Case closed. Of course they'll do the stinkin' thing anyway. May I hastily add, Denis O'Hare had never made his living by playing nelly before "Take Me Out." He does straight and psychotic quite well, thank you. My God, one role, this is worse than Hollywood! Leave him alone! He wants to do George in "Virginia Woolf" fer chrissake! I do not want to see that sweet man in a dress. On second thought, I don't want to see Howie McGillin in one either. You're right Auggie, it's all so been there, done that.
Gladys

[magruder]

Posted: 12/31/03 at 12:07am

Thought La Cage was spectacularly unfunny when I saw it early in its run, some time in August, 1983. Harvey Fierstein's book kept the whole thing earthbound for me, even with all of the show's other pleasing elements.