Paul Kolnik News

Making its way back to Southern California, the national touring company of the Tony Award-winning musical MEMPHIS will be spreading its tuneful message of rock and soul at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts for a two-week engagement starting November 6. Right in the center is phenomenal triple-threat Felicia Boswell, who agreed to answer a series of silly, rapid-fire questions from BroadwayWorld.

There are few times that I would ever get up for a standing ovation in the middle of the show, but this showstopper and that sensational voice, had me on my feet!

Prince Charming George Hamilton and callipygian Christopher Sieber are now on stage at the beautiful Fisher Theatre, in the outrageous and wacky musical "La Cage aux Folles". Broadway In Detroit is always working hard to bring entertainment that appeals to diverse audiences, and this is one of those niche productions that had audiences rolling in the floors with laughter.

Back in 2008 Seattle audiences were treated to the pre-Broadway tryout of what would become the 2010 Tony award winner for best musical, "Memphis" by Joe DiPietro and David Bryan. And as amazing as the show was back then, the current production at the 5th Avenue Theatre shows how much better it got since it left us and how good American musical theater can be.

This American classic tickled every gay bone in my body!

While overly melodramatic and a bit cliched, MEMPHIS--the winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Musical now performing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through August 12--is, overall, a rousing, electrically-charged show that rightfully triumphs because of its slick production values and its incredible, top-notch cast. If you want to hear some honest-to-goodness, kick-ass singing, then you must see this show... NOW!

As presented in its current iteration, the current national tour of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, for the most part, remains a genuinely entertaining enterprise--a cheeky farce filled with super silly situations, wildly outrageous characters, a witty book by Harvey Fierstein, and a memorable Jerry Herman score. But fairly enjoyable as it is, it lacks a bit of the glitz and glamour one has come to expect. Luckily, it's got a powerhouse star in Christopher Sieber that makes the show absolutely worth seeing. The Tony-winning revival continues at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through August 5.

The Pantages Theatre hosts the touring productions of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES and MEMPHIS this summer 2012.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Broadway Bares earns big money, Meryl & Kevin reunite, Laura gets a solo show, and so much more!

Get a first look at the latest additions to the cast - Ashley Spencer as 'Sherrie' and Justin Matthew Sargent as 'Drew' - below!

The Grimaldi Forum Monaco will be presenting CHICAGO, the musical, from tonight, 21 June to 24 June.

Jerry Herman who provided the glorious scores for HELLO, DOLLY! and MAME, wrote the score for LA CAGE including what are probably two of the best theater songs of the second half of the twentieth century. "A Little More Mascara", sung by Zaza the star drag queen of La Cage as he transforms into a she, is just about as grand a show tune as one will find. "I Am What I Am", also sung by Zaza is a powerhouse of pride, love of self and is an exercise in teaching us how to bring the house down at the end of act one.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES recently made Tony Awards history as the first show to ever win the Tony Award three times for best production. The classic musical comedy by Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein originally won six Tony Awards in 1984, including Best Musical. A Broadway revival won two 2005 Tony Awards including the Best Revival of a Musical prize. The new, freshly reconceived LA CAGE won three 2010 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Director of a Musical (Terry Johnson).

Anyone who knows me knows that I adore MEMPHIS. Back in 2011, I had the opportunity to see the show on Broadway and I met the fantastical Chad Kimball. Later that year, I went to see the Direct from Broadway showings at my local movie theater (yes, I went 3 times). You could say I'm a bit obsessed. Now here I am, a year later at the first National Tour cast's party in my hometown of Buffalo, NY.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES recently made Tony Awards history as the first show to ever win the Tony Award three times for best production. The classic musical comedy by Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein originally won six Tony Awards in 1984, including Best Musical. A Broadway revival won two 2005 Tony Awards including the Best Revival of a Musical prize. The new, freshly reconceived LA CAGE won three 2010 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Director of a Musical (Terry Johnson).

"Everyone want[ed] to be black" on Tuesday Night at the Ohio Theatre as MEMPHIS came to town and literally tore down the house. From its onset, MEMPHIS was clearly a liberating celebration in every sense of the word. Its jumping and jiving, soulful, high energy rock-n-roll, powerful singing, and endearing story take you on a nonstop whirlwind from start to finish.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES recently made Tony Awards history as the first show to ever win the Tony Award three times for best production. The classic musical comedy by Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein originally won six Tony Awards in 1984, including Best Musical. A Broadway revival won two 2005 Tony Awards including the Best Revival of a Musical prize. The new, freshly reconceived LA CAGE won three 2010 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Director of a Musical (Terry Johnson).