Review: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Theatre Rhinoceros
What did our critic think of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Theatre Rhinoceros?
John Fisher and Theatre Rhino sure have a lotta chutzpah – the supreme audacity to pull off a major theatrical surprise on a tiny budget in a black box space with no stage. Last year’s Cabaret won the critics award for Best Production and now they tackle the huge gay-themed smash musical La Cage au Folles, and it looks like they have another hit on their hands.
Take Harvey Fierstein’s clever book, the music of Jerry Herman (Hello, Dolly!, Mame) and plenty of marabou and sequins and you have the basis for a grand, silly, poignant story of the alternative to the moral majorities version of traditional family values. La Cage the musical opened in 1983 during the Reagan era and the beginning of the AIDS pandemic and was considered a dicey venture at best. It went onto become a sensation winning six Tony’s, two more for Best Revival. The show’s act one finale, “I Am What I Am,” a declaration of self-acceptance and authenticity, has become a gay anthem.
La Cage is above all a love story, be it a gay one between Georges (John Mannion) and Albin (Christopher Juan, aka Chi-Chi Kago), owners of a gay nightclub whose life are thrown into chaos when their son Jean Michel becomes engaged to the daughter of a right-wing homophobe. When the offensive future in-laws come to visit, father Georges with his ‘tasteful affectation’ can pass, but the ‘fruity,’ over-the-top Albin (aka drag performer Zaza) is out, and Jean Michel’s absent mother is back in. It’s all about appearances and passing as ‘normal.’ For Jean Michel, it’s winning his heart’s true love at the cost of offending his real mother Albin. The pain on Albin’s face is palpable; the hurt of betrayal is devastating.
There’s plenty of talented comic performances by the collection of wild characters including drag performer SNJV as the maid Jacob, Landyn Endo as Georges’ son Jean-Michel, Akhila Narayanan as Jean-Michel’s fiancé Anne, Natalie Harrisas their conspirator Jacqueline, and Mark J. Enea and Sidney McNulty as the clueless and conservative Dindons. Throw in excellent musical direction by Armando Fox and big dance numbers choreographed by Aaron Simunovich and you have the makings of a huge, happy fun evening of uplifting reaffirmations.
John Mannion and Christopher Juan star as the happy couple and their love is reaffirmed in songs like "Song on the Sand" and "With You on My Arm". Herman’s score includes the hits "We Are What We Are", "The Best of Times", and the aforementioned smash "I Am What I Am". With the bad guys vanquished and true love, whatever its flavor confirmed, Rhino’s La Cage aux Folles is a breath of fresh air.
For those unlucky with their genealogical familial relationships La Cage stands as a shining example of the alternative- loving chosen families that provide the nurturing and acceptance we all seek.
La Cage Aux Folles continues through June 14th. Tickets available at http://www.therhino.org/.
Photos by Scott Sidorsky.
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