Robin De Jesus in costume for La Cage... — Page 2

Updated On: 4/4/10 at 04:58 PM

Go away for a few days and what happens? Same stupid argument fueled with the same silly rumors based on preconceptions rather than experience. Personally, I would lend a bit more credibility to the side of those who have seen the show.

Musical theatre brings visions of happy, bright, colorful, characters that sparkle. And when you are doing a show with drag queens in it, people expect some level of 'wow' factor.

Musical theatre has been about so much more than that since the 1930s. I saw the escapist fluffy version of La Cage and I thought it was far more of a discredit to the material than this version (and if memory serves, so did Fierstein). The Cagelles of this production wowed me more than any other I've seen. The "wow" was the fact that the Cagelles can be more than just unrealistically expensive dancing costumes. They can be MEN in DRAG who are the STARS of their world (a common character trait found in virtually every gay performance venue across the world, regardless of production budget). Honestly, I think the idea that this show can only be produced with one singular vision in mind works against everything the story is about. Perhaps the song title should be changed to "I Am What a Handful of Gay Men Think I Should Be (And What I Am is Unrealistic)".

When folks re-mount musicals and call them 'gritty versions', I think of dark, dirty and unattractive (ie:ugly).

Except nobody who has seen the show calls it "gritty". It's not. It's just something you keep saying it is, even though you haven't seen it.

I think Iknow what I'm talking about

Maybe in context of American drag competitions. This show is not an American drag competition. Or more precisely, the competitions in which you've participated (though it is prettier than some I have seen). I'm thrilled for your accomplishments and I'm sure no one would think to have called you ugly, but the book of La Cage aux Folles doesn't mention you. Now, maybe it's just me, but Miss Gay Maryland 2006, Andora Te'tee, (see photo) resembles more of the new Cagelles than the original Cagelles. And this photo does not represent an anomaly. I'm not saying she's pretty or ugly, just that she is what she is. She holds a title and she's an American drag queen. Not that it actually has ANYTHING to do with the book, costumes, direction or story to La Cage aux Folles.

I experienced a somewhat 'faded glamour' at La Cage in London, but in no way did I feel it was plain 'gritty' or 'ugly' or 'dirty' or whatever pejorative adjective you choose to employ.

Probably because it is none of those things. I didn't even think of it as "faded glamour". To me, the glamour was there because the characters believed it wholeheartedly. Every member of the cast projected a vision of glamour to the audience because Zaza and the Cagelles already knew the glamour was real for them.

The xenophobic comments should stop altogether.

Updated On: 4/6/10 at 03:50 PM