La Cage aux Folles (musical)

Infobox Musical
name= La Cage aux Folles


caption= Original Broadway Windowcard
music=Jerry Herman
lyrics=Jerry Herman
book=Harvey Fierstein
basis=1973 French play by Jean Poiret
productions= 1983 Broadway
1986 West End
2004 Broadway revival
2007 West End revival
awards=Tony Award for Best Musical
Tony Award for Best Book
Tony Award for Best Score
Drama Desk Outstanding Music
Tony Award for Best Revival
Drama Desk Outstanding Revival

"La Cage aux Folles" is a musical with a book by Harvey Fierstein and lyrics and music by Jerry Herman. Based on the 1973 French play by Jean Poiret and subsequent 1978 French-Italian screen version (one of the most popular foreign films ever released in the United States), the musical focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his star attraction - and the adventures that ensue when Georges' son brings home his fiancée's ultra-conservative parents to meet them.

The musical's 1983 Broadway production overcame competition from several strong new shows that season, including Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's "Sunday in the Park with George", Kander and Ebb's "The Rink" and David Shire and Richard Maltby, Jr.'s "Baby", winning six Tony Awards out of nine nominations, including the top honors of Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. Among the forward-looking themes of the musical is the idea that gays can form stable, long-term relationships and raise children.

Background

A gay-themed project was risky in the early years of the AIDS epidemic, even though many Broadway performers, crew members, and devotees were homosexual. But the creative team - all gay men - felt that such a show was the tonic needed by those suffering from the illness and to combat the overt homophobia that had surfaced in some quarters due to the threat posed by the epidemic. Although "La Cage" was Broadway's first gay-themed musical, it was nevertheless a mainstream production. Laurents didn't allow his lead characters so much as a peck on the cheek for fear that he might offend his audience. It was an old-fashioned production in the best sense - elaborate costumes by veteran Theoni V. Aldredge, exquisite sets, glamorous chorus girls (including mostly boys in drag), and a lushly romantic score. According to theatre historian John Kenrick, "La Cage" and the strong 1983 season was the last great Broadway season. After the next season's "Big River", for "the first time since "Oklahoma", a full decade would go by before a new American musical would pass the 1,000 performance mark."

In the 2006 comedy movie Jackass Number Two , the end of the movie is a reference to La Cage Aux Folles. [http://www.musicals101.com/1980bway2.htm]

Productions

;BroadwayAfter fifteen previews, the Broadway production, directed by Arthur Laurents and choreographed by Scott Salmon, opened on August 21 1983 at the Palace Theatre, where it ran for 1,761 performances. The original cast included Gene Barry (as Georges), George Hearn (as Albin), John Weiner (as Jean-Michel, the handsome son), Walter Charles (as M. Renaud), Jay Garner (as Edouard Dindon), Merle Louise (as Mme. Dindon), Elizabeth Parrish (as Jacqueline), Leslie Stevens (as Anne), and William Thomas, Jr. (as Jacob). Replacements for the leads later in the run included Walter Charles, Keene Curtis, Van Johnson, Peter Marshall, Keith Michell, and Lee Roy Reams.

After thirty-one previews, a Broadway revival directed by Jerry Zaks and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell opened on December 9 2004 at the Marquis Theatre, where it ran for 229 performances. [ [http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=383058 Internet Broadway Database listing for 2004 revival] ] The cast included Gary Beach, Daniel Davis, and Gavin Creel. Robert Goulet replaced Davis later in the run.

;West End

The West End production opened on May 7 1986 at the London Palladium, where it ran for nearly eight months (301 performances). It starred Denis Quilley, George Hearn, and Jonathon Morris.

A London revival, starring Philip Quast (Georges) and Douglas Hodge (Albin), opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory on 8 January 2008, and played there until March 8 2008. [http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/lacage-rev.htm] This has now transferred to the West End from 20 October 2008 at the Playhouse Theatre. [ [http://www.thisistheatre.com/londonshows/lacageauxfolles.html listing] ]

;International

The 1985 Australian production starred Keith Michell (as Georges) and Jon Ewing (as Albin). [ [http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwidb/sections/audio/index.php?var=66019 broadwayworld listing] ]

The Colombian production starred Cesar Mora (as Zaza) and Fernando Gonzalez Pacheco (as Renato)

Foreign language productions have played in Berlin, Vienna, Italy, Mexico City, Buenos Aires and Bogotá.The Argentinian production was one of the most successful musicals in Buenos Aires (two years). Starred by Tato Bores, as Renato (Georges), Carlos Perciavalle, as Zaza, and Darío Grandinetti (then Aníbal Silveyra), as the son. The Mexico City production ran for two and one-half years in the "Teatro Silvia Pinal". In the role of "Zaza" was Javier Diaz Dueñas and in the role of "Sr. Albin" Gustavo Rojo, as well as Silva Pinal.

ynopsis

Georges and his lover Albin, who stars as "Zaza" at their St. Tropez drag nightclub, "La Cage aux Folles," have lived happily together for many years. Their apartment is also home to their black "maid" Jacob. Georges' son Jean-Michel (the offspring of a confused, youthful liaison with a woman named Sybil) arrives with the news that he is engaged to Anne Dindon. Unfortunately, her father is head of the "Tradition, Family and Morality Party," whose stated goal is to close the local drag clubs. Anne's parents want to meet their daughter's future in-laws. Jean-Michel has lied to his fiancée, describing Georges as a retired diplomat. Jean-Michel pleads with Albin to absent himself (and his flamboyantly gay behaviors) for the visit - and for Georges to redecorate the apartment in a more subdued fashion. He will invite Sybil--who has barely been involved with him since his birth--to dinner in Albin's stead. Albin's feelings are hurt – he has been a good "mother". He departs in a huff.

The next morning, Georges suggests to Albin that he dress up as macho "Uncle Al". Back at the chastely redesigned apartment, Georges receives a telegram that Jean-Michel's mother Sybil is not coming, and Anne's parents arrive. Hoping to save the day, Albin appears as Jean-Michel's buxom, forty-year-old mother. The nervous Jacob burns the dinner, so a trip to a local restaurant, Chez Jacqueline, belonging to an old friend of Albin and Georges, is quickly arranged. No one has briefed Jacqueline on the situation, and she asks Albin for a song. As Zaza, Albin yields to the frenzy of performance and tears off his wig at the song's climax, revealing his true identity.

Back at the apartment, the Dindons plead with their daughter to abandon her fiancé, but she is in love with Jean-Michel and refuses to leave him. Jean-Michel, deeply ashamed of the way he has treated Albin, asks his forgiveness, which is lovingly granted. The Dindons prepare to depart, but their way is blocked by Jacqueline, who has arrived with the press, ready to photograph these notorious anti-homosexual activists with Zaza. Georges and Albin have a proposal: If Anne and Jean-Michel may marry, Georges will help the Dindons escape through La Cage aux Folles next door. The Dindons do so, dressed in drag as members of the nightclub's revue, and all ends well.

Characters

*Albin - The star of the La Cage club, as drag alter ego, "Zaza."
*Georges - Albin's partner, and owner of La Cage, as well as compere.
*Jacob - Butler (or housemaid as he would correct!), and Albin's personal assistant.
*Jean-Michel - Georges' son, due to a short-lived affair 20 years ago.
*Anne - Jean-Michel's fiancée.
*Monsieur Edouard Dindon - Anne's father, and leader of the Tradition, Family and Morality Party.
*Madame Marie Dindon - Edouard Dindon's wife, and Anne's mother.
*Chantal of Avignon - One of Les Cagelles drag troupe, with a stunning voice.
*Hannah from Hamburg - Another of Les Cagelles, but brandishes a whip.
*Phaedra the Enigma - The Cagelle with a wild tongue!
*Jaqueline - Albin's friend, and the owner of classy restaurant, "Chez Jaqueline."
*Monsieur and Madame Renaud - Owners of the Promenade Cafe.

ong list

;Act I
*We Are What We Are
*A Little More Mascara
*With Anne on My Arm
*With You on My Arm
*The Promenade
*Song on the Sand
*La Cage aux Folles
*I Am What I Am;Act II
*Song on the Sand (Reprise)
*Masculinity
*Look Over There
*Cocktail Counterpoint (aka "Dishes")
*The Best of Times
*Look Over There (Reprise)
*The Finale Albin's Act I finale number, the rousing "I Am What I Am," was recorded by Gloria Gaynor and proved to be one of her biggest hits. It also became a rallying cry of the Gay Pride movement.

Cast Recordings

*Original Broadway Cast
*Original Australian Cast
*Original Berlin Cast
*Original Vienna Cast
*Original Colombian Cast
*Original Mexican Cast
*Original Italian Cast

Awards and nominations

1983 production
*Tony Award for Best Musical (winner)
*Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (winner)
*Tony Award for Best Original Score (winner)
*Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Hearn, winner; Barry, nominee)
*Tony Award for Best Costume Design (winner)
*Tony Award for Best Lighting Design (nominee)
*Tony Award for Best Choreography (nominee)
*Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (winner)
*Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical (nominee)
*Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book (nominee)
*Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Hearn, winner; Barry, nominee)
*Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestration (nominee)
*Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics (nominee)
*Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music (winner)
*Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design (winner)
*Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lighting Design (nominee) 2004 revival
*Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical (winner)
*Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Beach, nominee)
*Tony Award for Best Choreography (winner)
*Tony Award for Best Costume Design of a Musical (nominee)
*Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical (winner)
*Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography (winner)
*Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design (nominee)

ee also

*"The Birdcage"

References

* [http://www.nodanw.com/shows_c/cage_aux_folles.htm Information about the show] from the NODA website
* [http://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/musicals/lacage.html Background and other information about the musical]
* [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/92652.html Playbill feature on the show]
* [http://www.musicals101.com/1980bway2.htm Analysis of "La Cage" and its Broadway season]

External links

* [http://www.ibdb.com/show.asp?ID=5126 Internet Broadway Database listing]
* [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03EFDB1738F931A1575BC0A965948260 "NY Times" 1983 review]
* [http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=1893 Broadway World review of the 2004 revival]
* [http://www.imagi-nation.com/moonstruck/albm48.html profile of the show]
* [http://www.moviegoods.com/movie_product.asp?master_movie_id=23137 Photos from the original Broadway production]
* [http://www.broadwaymusicalhome.com/shows/cage.htm Profile of the musical] with many links to the songs, albums and other information