Who's seeing the first preview of La Cage tonight?/Reviews- Page 3

[Just_John]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 1:13am

They had at least a t-shirt and keychain. I didn't look at it. I justed asked if they had a poster and they said in a week or two it should be in.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 1:18am

How was Andreas with her part of "The Best of Times"?

I can't imagine her being anything less than brilliant as Jacqueline. Talk about a perfect match of actor and role.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 3:54am

I very happily made it to the first preview. I admit it, even if it wasn't an opportunity to experience a Jerry Herman score for the first time (for me) in style, I have been gunning to see Kelsey Grammar return to the stage for a long, long while, secretly hoping his post-"Frasier" forays into television would flop and he would wind up back on Broadway.

However, I found him somewhat wooden in the first act, especially the very beginning. He was clearly nervous. However, he greatly improved 1/4 of the way through and from that point on garnered most of the laughs the character calls for. I disagree with those criticizing his singing - he is a marvelous singer.

Hodge, however, is deservedly basking in all this praise. His was a performance I will never forget as long as I live. It was top to bottom hilarious, vivacious and emotionally wrenching. Totallly life-affirming. This is the kind of performance you hope to experience when you go to theatre. A Tony nomination is certainly in order. I would urge anyone just to go for him alone.

The whole production is campy, frilly, colorful, unpretentious and full of razzle-dazzle. The entire cast is wonderful, with all the appropriate scene-stealing where it ought to be. I was only loosely familiar with what I should expect to see and I had a hell of a time, save for my worrying for Kelsey as he got off the ground a little shakily.

I am very glad I went. I hope it becomes a big hit, and I'm sure Kelsey will be totally crisp by opening night. The stage is where he belongs.

Updated On: 4/7/10 at 03:54 AM

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 7:02am

Do they use the original Mitchell choreography? PLEASE tell me they do. I don't think I could see this show without the iconic Mitchell title number. Anyone?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 7:07am

WickedRocks: "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain." Thanks for your non-inane tidbit of information. There are those, like me, who appreciate a person's perspective on the show, even if it was second-hand. If I've learned anything about BWW, it's that people are prone to over-analyze and hyper-criticize the most inocuous of things. Having said that, word of mouth & buzz (no matter who shares it) is a good thing. I need to buy my ticket, as I'm going to NYC from June 15-18. I had planned on seeing "Looped" (big sigh). from RC in Austin, Texas

[GatorNY]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 7:52am

I'm excited about going, and have been so since the announcement that it was going up this season. This is one show that I haven't seen and regret missing the chance to see it back in 2005. I was picking shows to see with my parents and I chose Little Women over this, because I didn't think my dad could handle the cross dressers etc. Turns out I didn't give him enough credit. I'm glad to hear good buzz from some of the posters on here who are very objective.

BTW, I don't know how you all have the energy to keep the drama flowing on here! I'm one of those annoying people who just wants us all to get along...but that would be way more boring.

[UKtheatrekid]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 8:00am

any thoughts on the other london transfer? Nick C who plays 'Hannah'?

[jamiekennywicked]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 8:03am

How was the set?

[alterego]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 8:38am

Wasn't the original choreographer Scott Salmon? Mitchell did the last revival.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 10:06am

Yes, the talented Scott Salmon, who worked both on Broadway and in Las Vegas, choreographed the original. He died in a car crash in 1993. (I think)

Here is Scott's original choreography for the opening number:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3DlDRaPZLo


And here is Jerry Mitchell's from the revival:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0973_-De_8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eX5skwRO04

[Trish2]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 10:24am

Night and day. Salmons work was wonderful.

[Sauja]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 10:50am

I had such a bad experience at the last revival that the show almost feels tainted to me. I came back from intermission having smoked a cigarette outside, and the woman seated next to me literally screamed at me for "stinking up" her space, told me I had ruined the show for her, and explained that the fumes from my body were going to give her cancer. I was apparently in an exceedingly polite space at first and tried to explain that there's nothing inherently wrong with smoking outside at intermission and that her logic about secondhand smoke was deeply faulty. It didn't work.

I stewed for the entire second act and just remember the experience as embarrassing and rage-inducing. Politeness went out the window after the show, and I shared some choice words.

In any case, as stupid as it is, it's kind of keeping me from going to this, though I suspect that I'll break down and attend shortly and hope it's a cleansing experience!

[GatorNY]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 11:00am

Sauja...I bet you will and I bet you'll be so glad you did.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 11:32am

I think Suellen was being "cute".

[bluesoprano]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 12:32pm

If anyone wouldn't mind can you please give a review of Christine Andreas, Veanne Cox, Elena Shaddow and A.J. Shively. Thanks!

[Nick2]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 2:06pm

anyone sit in Mez Row A? Wondering if it's obstructed.

[binau]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 5:49pm

The production seemed extremely tight to me!! (but I'm no expert). We got out about 10:45 but it started 5-10 min late.

Hodge was such a highlight, it will be interesting when they change roles. Grammer was kind of charming but completely overshadowed by his co-star (in not sure if this is what usually happens).

The orchestra sounds good in the theatre. (not sure how large it is).

Everything looks stunning too (Is this considered scaled down? It is just nice).

The only problem I have is with the actual show itself - is La Cage considered good quality fluff (or something more?). I mean, it had its moments but it did feel kind of sitcommy and I could easily imagine some lines and scenes in wil and grace (though maybe la cage was original and those have followed...idk). This show really does example repetition as the key for hummability too (that Sondheim claimed). The melodies are primed so many times it's extremely hard not to 'hum' them.

It seemed like a really tight, quality production of a fun show. I hope I haven't got it 'wrong' :p.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 6:47pm

Hodge was such a highlight, it will be interesting when they change roles. Grammer was kind of charming but completely overshadowed by his co-star (in not sure if this is what usually happens).

I'm not sure that they are switching roles. My impression was that Hodge was leaving the show and Kelsey was taking over Albin. I think they are going to get a new Georges.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 6:49pm

They're not switching. Kelsey will have a new Georges.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 7:07pm

Got a rush seat at 4:30 for tonight's show and was given a box seat.

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 11:43pm

I'm just back from tonight's performance. The production is in good shape, but you could definitely tell that it was a preview. The company is still finding their footing and is not yet completely copacetic. That said, there is a lot to enjoy.

Douglas Hodge is fantastic. His entrance alone is worth the price of a ticket. More so than any other person I've ever seen in this role, he taps into both the joyful and the painful aspects of the character. While singing "A Little More Mascara," you could really tell that becoming Zaza is a true release for Albin; that in playing the character, he gets to forget that he's aging, that he has shortcomings. "I Am What I Am" is edge-of-your-seat theatre in his hands. His performance has a dose of camp, but it's also wonderfully grounded and far from caricature.

Kelsey Grammar is quite good, and he handles the large role of Georges with aplomb. His singing voice is actually rather pleasant--a bit gravelly, but very warm. "Song of the Sand" and "Look Over There" were lovely. He acted the role very well, and he and Hodge were extremely believable as a long-time couple.

The supporting cast is scattershot. Christine Andreas is incredible as Jacqueline; as someone said earlier in this thread, it's a perfect marriage of performer and role. Robin de Jesus is straight-up doing Rosie Perez. Elena Shaddow, Veanne Cox and Fred Applegate are all woefully underused, but acquit themselves well with what they have (Cox fares best when Mme. Dindon lets loose). The Jean-Michel--name escapes me--is dreadful. Can't sing, can't act, not even that good looking. How was he cast?

The Cagelles were very good, overall. What bodies!

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 4/8/10 at 3:39am

I was also at tonight's performance. I agree with everything AC126748 said, so there's no point in reiterating. I'll just add a few thoughts. The choreography is... wow. "La Cage Aux Folles" was breathtaking. The Cagelles are all really wonderful.

Douglas Hodge has the Tony in the bag. If he loses, someone is smoking some serious sh*t on the voting committee. He's truly remarkable. I had a truly incredible evening and this show deserves nothing but raves and a long, healthy run. Bravo, LA CAGE!

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 4/8/10 at 4:11am

Updated On: 4/8/10 at 04:11 AM

[Weez]

Posted: 4/8/10 at 5:08am

The Jean-Michel--name escapes me--is dreadful. Can't sing, can't act, not even that good looking. How was he cast?

Poor Jean-Michel. He's woefully underwritten, now he's woefully undercast too? He was alright in the original movie. O_O But that's not why I'm here! I simply MUST know what his trousers were like!

[Mark_E]

Posted: 4/8/10 at 7:50am

If Hdge wins the Tony do you think they would still have a new Albin after 6 month? It seems bizarre to me.