Seacoast Rep’s La Cage aux Folles is Spectacular

April 10, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Linda Chin

I didn’t get to see La Cage aux Folles until late in its nearly sold-out run, but several days later I am still singing the songs, laughing at some of the show’s many funny lines and campy bits, and feeling the feels of this incredibly heartwarming production. Seacoast Repertory Theatre’s production of La Cage demonstrates how musical theatre is a truly collaborative art form, how it can entertain and educate, how a production that first opened 40 years ago is still relevant, and how unbelievably good it feels to be back at live theatre again.

‘La Cage Aux Folles’ Brings Glitz, Laughter and Pathos to the Reagle

August 14, 2019August 20, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

*(James Darrah as Zaza with Les Cagelles in Reagle’s ‘La Cage Aux Folles’ – Photos by Herb Philpott)*

By Mike Hoban

‘La Cage Aux Folles’ – Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman. Book by Harvey Fierstein. Based the play “La Cage Aux Folles” by Jean Poiret. Directed and Choreographed by Susan M. Chebookjian. Music Direction by Dan Rodriguez. Scenic Design by David Allen Jeffrey; Original Costume Design by Matthew Wright; Lighting Design by David Wilson; Sound Design by Robby Davis and Robert Luke Pelletier. Presented by Reagle Music Theatre, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham through August 18^th

Reagle Music Theatre is closing out its 51^st season with La Cage Aux Folles, the Jerry Herman/Harvey Fierstein musical which copped a multitude of Tony Awards in its 1983 debut and in subsequent Broadway revivals in 2004 and 2010. The show caps a solid summer season for the Waltham theater, and like the previous offerings (Mame and Sound of Music), La Cage is powered by strong performances by the leads and outstanding work by the supporting cast – in particular the eight “Les Cagelles”, the drag queen dancers that support headliner Zaza with some electrifying routines.

Company Theatre’s ‘La Cage’ Entertains, Enlightens

March 21, 2018April 2, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Evan McKenna

Music and lyrics by Jerry Herman; Book by Harvey Fierstein, based on the play “La Cage aux Folles” by Jean Poiret. Directed by Zoe Bradford and Jordie Saucerman. Musical Direction by Steve Bass. Choreography by Sally Ashton Forest. Costume Design by Cameron McEachern. Lighting Design by Adam Clark. Set Design by Ryan Barrow. Wigs & Hairstylist, James A. Valentin. Presented by Company Theatre: 30 Accord Park Dr, Norwell through Sunday, April 8th.

Just last month the Senate of Georgia voted on a law to give adoption agencies—both private and taxpayer funded—the right to reject service to LGBTQ couples. This, among other forms of both legal and de facto discrimination happening during the Trump-Pence administration, shows how many Americans today do not support LGBTQ couples as moral, adequate, or legitimate parents of children, making “La Cage aux Folles” not only a relevant work to see this year, but an important one. At its heart, the story testifies to the criticism and conflict that queer couples with children must face in their social and political environment. On the surface, however, the musical does not seem politically overt or necessarily tragic, and that is because of the sitcom-esque humor and drag queen performances, both of which the cast of the Company Theatre’s production executed wonderfully at the premiere last Friday, giving—much like “Cabaret”—laughter and fun to an otherwise dark underlying story.

Company Theatre’s LA CAGE AUX FOLLES’ is a Joyous Musical Extravaganza

March 17, 2018March 20, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Welcome to the French Riviera in the 1980’s and the most glittering and notorious nightclub there is “La Cage Aux Folles” which is the Company Theatre’s first show of their 40th season and tackle this 1983 hit Jerry Herman musical. It won six Tony Awards for the original Broadway show and is the only musical to win the Tony Award for best revival twice. It is a flamboyant musical comedy about life, love and family values in a decidedly unconventional family. Georges runs this glittering drag queen nightclub, starring Albin, also known as ZaZa who is Georges longtime lover. They have a happy but stormy life together. However, when Georges’ son announces his engagement to the daughter of a narrow minded bigoted politician, their efforts to “play it straight” for a meeting with the in-laws results in high insanity blended with some poignant moments along the way.