Open your eyes! You have arrived at...La Cage Aux Folles. La Cage Aux Folles may be better known to non-theatregoers, as the 1996 movie The Bird Cage, starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, which was based on the french play, of the same name,(La Cage Aux Folles). The musical is set inside a drag club in San Tropez during the 1970's. With a witty, touching book by Broadways' Harvey Fierstein, and a classic Broadway score by Jerry Herman(Hello Dolly, Mame,) this show is destined for greatness. This production of the show stars Tony award winner Douglas Hodge for his role as Albin/Zaza, as well as well known television star Kelsey Grammar as his partner George. The duo is perfectly matched and can convincingly pull off a homosexual relationship on stage without being stereotypical despite the fact that they are both heterosexual men. In a toned down smaller version of the show, the cast serves as an ensemble piece in which all of the characters have a role in the outcome of the story.
The story centers around drag club owners George and Albin who also doubles as the star of the night club, Zaza. Albin is facing fears that he is perhaps becoming too old, and can no longer, "drop the final vail." While he is preoccupied with his troubles Georg's son,(from a one night stand), Jean Michel gives news to him that he is getting married and would like George to meet his fiancées' parents as his father and would like his biological mother, and not Albin to act as his mother. The story gets interesting when George must inform Albin he is not invited to meet the parents. After that hilarity and sorrow ensues.
I cannot say enough about Douglas Hodge in this show. He won the Tony award this year for best actor in a musical for his performance as Albin/Zaza and could not have been worthy of it more. Hodge has a charm that makes you fall in love with both Albin and Zaza as soon as they appear on stage. With spot on humor and seemingly natural poise, Hodge impresses audiences who are used to seeing big movie stars in starring roles and not relatively unknown actors from the West End. Douglas Hodge as Albin is raw, honest, and intuitive. As he transforms on stage from Albin to Zaza you see his attitude change as you feel he truly believes he is now the incomperable Zaza! His Albin is shy and timid until he dons his wig, heels, and mascara to transform his very being, where he is outgoing and comfortable in his own shoes. Kelsey Grammer also impresses the audience in his Broadway musical debut. Not only does he do a more than adequate job with his role, he has a beautiful voice that croons his partner Albin 8 times a week. Grammer was also nominated for best actor and although I enjoyed his performance very much, if he had won over Douglas Hodge I may have jumped down two mezzanines from my seat into the orchestra level of Radio City Music Hall and taken it from him myself. The ensemble includes Robin De Jesus who rehashes the same character he played in In The Heights, although it fits his role well. The cagelles who act as a drag chorus of sorts is made up of 6 incredibly fit men who look scarily like women when they are completely done up in hair make up and costume. The dance moves and gymnastic like maneuvers these men perform will make the most unimpressed person say, "WOW!" Each are incredibly talented actors, singers, and dancers. This production of La Cage Aux Folles is definitely my favorite show of this season, last years being Next to Normal which I will see next week for my 4th time. Overall I give La Cage Aux Folles a 90 out of 100. Skip don't run to this fabulous show at the Longacre Theatre!
