So is La Cage just going to win the Tony by default? — Page 2

Have you seen the original French film the musical is based on? Albin isn't exactly a subtle personality.

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Add me to the list of people who thought that this production of LaCage and Hodge were not Tony-worthy.

I hope that Sean Hayes or Chad Kimball win the award.

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I have not seen ALNM yet, but of the other's I'm pulling for RAGTIME, although it is pretty much a pipe dream. I thought it was a thousand times more well done than La Cage. I understand the intent of this production of La Cage. However, aside from the star power of the lead, and Hodge's performance, it really looked like it was being done by the Olney Dinner Theater in Maryland. Which is not at all meant to be derogatory towards the theater in Olney, they do great work. I just have different expectations regarding the production value. RAGTIME was beautifully designed. It also was a pared down production, but it was still gorgeous in every aspect. Finian's set was not very appealing to me. It was ok for City Center, but they could've designed something more appealing for the transfer.

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I finally caught La Cage this past weekend so count me among those who thought Hodge was embarrassingly indulgent. The entire production was far too campy and lacked any heart/emotional punch. I actually found Grammar to be the best thing in the show (and I've never seen him before even on tv).

I also put Kimball in the same category as Hodge (and I hated Memphis too but that's another story). I've not seen Night Music or Promises yet (I'm seeing them in June) but I liked Ragtime and Finian's far more. Of course I thought the Kennedy Center production was superior to the Broadway one (though it could have just been the performance I saw on Broadway), but that's also another story.

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Finian's Rainbow was far better than La Cage. Warren Carlyle was seriously overlooked this year... twice!

~Steven