La Cage aux Folles
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| La Cage aux Folles | ||
| Original Broadway Production | ||
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 Original poster |
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| Music | Jerry Herman | |
| Lyrics | Jerry Herman | |
| Book | Harvey Fierstein | |
| Theatre | Palace Theatre | |
| Opened | August 21, 1983 | |
| Closed | November 15, 1987 | |
| Producer(s) | Allan Carr, Kenneth D. Greenblatt, Stewart F. Lane, James M. Nederlander, Martin Richards, Marvin A. Krauss, Barry Brown and Fritz Holt | |
| Director | Arthur Laurents | |
| Choreographer | Scott Salmon | |
| Scenic designer | David Mitchell | |
| Costume designer | Theoni V. Aldredge | |
| Lighting designer | Jules Fisher | |
La Cage aux Folles is a Tony Award-winning 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), it 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 fiance's ultra-conservative parents to meet them.
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.
After 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 1761 performances. The original cast included Gene Barry, George Hearn, John Weiner, Walter Charles, and Merle Louise. Replacements for the leads later in the run included Walter Charles, Keene Curtis, Van Johnson, Peter Marshall, Keith Michell, Steeve Arlen, and Lee Roy Reams.
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[edit] Subsequent productions
The West End production opened on May 7, 1986 at the London Palladium, where it ran for nearly eight months. It starred Denis Quilley, George Hearn, and Jonathon Morris.
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. The cast included Gary Beach, Daniel Davis, and Gavin Creel. Robert Goulet replaced Davis later in the run.
[edit] 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 fiancee.
- 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.
[edit] Song 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
- 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.
[edit] 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)
[edit] See also
[edit] External link
Internet Broadway Database listing
| Jerry Herman musicals |
|---|
| From A to Z • Milk and Honey • Hello, Dolly! • Mame • Dear World • Mack and Mabel • The Grand Tour • La Cage aux Folles • Mrs. Santa Claus • Showtune • Jerry's Girls |
