LA CAGE AUX FOLLES Closes at Maltz Jupiter 1/31

La Cage aux Folles will close on January 31 at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre

The 1983 musical, based on the 1973 French play of the same name by Jean Poiret, boasts a book by Harvey Fierstein and lyrics and music by Jerry Herman, who penned the anthems The Best of Times and I Am What I Am. The original 1983 Broadway production won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.

"This is our splashiest musical production yet," said Andrew Kato, Maltz Jupiter Theatre artistic director. "I believe our audiences will be impressed with the beauty of the sets and costumes, as well as the heartfelt story. We also are excited to welcome back stars who have graced our stage in the past: Mark Jacoby and John Scherer, supported by the most talented group of ‘showgirls' on Broadway."

For this production, the Maltz Jupiter Theatre has engaged a cast of 16 who will be transformed into the colorful group of French characters.

The show centers on a gay club owner in St. Tropez and his temperamental partner and star. The name of the club: La Cage aux Folles, whose literal translation is "The Cage of Madwomen." The owner's son comes home, announces he is engaged and wants his family to meet his fiancee's parents. The catch: Her father is head of an anti-gay political party. They have dinner at club owner's home, which is adjacent to the club. Then the sequins fly.

La Cage aux Folles has its moments of drag and high camp -- think high-stepping men in makeup and heels -- but at its core, the show explores what it means to be a family.

"The central factor in La Cage aux Folles' enduring popularity is that its creators succeeded in finding the universality in this story -- a story of respect and understanding, parents and children, love and marriage," said the show's director, Mark Martino.

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre is an award-winning professional not-for-profit regional theatre dedicated to the performing arts whose mission is to entertain, educate and inspire our community. The Theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and is located east of U.S. Highway 1 at 1001 East Indiantown Road and State Road A1A in Jupiter.