Performers shine in Goodspeed’s ‘La Cage aux Folles’
movie was based on the same source material as “La Cage.”)
Taking the leads: Jamison Stern gets the plum role here of Albin, who’s a diva with all the theatrics and the charm that implies. Stern makes the most of the acting opportunity, conveying the kindness and loving nature living beneath the character’s histrionic exterior. When Stern trumpets “I Am What I Am” at the end of the first act as a defiant anthem of self-acceptance, it’s A Moment. James Lloyd Reynolds provides solid support in the much-less-flashy role of Georges. He is the straight man (if you’ll pardon the phrase) to Stern’s humorously melodramatic Albin.
Welcome to the club: In musicals, the “show within the show” conceit can feel forced and can lack a real payoff. In “La Cage,” though, the nightclub performance scenes serve up some of the most thrillingly entertaining parts of the show. There’s the can-can (more on that later). There’s the bird-cage number, accented by cool lighting and avian-inspired moves. There’s Albin’s very funny comedy routine (in his Zaza stage persona), as he talks directly to the audience and briefly slips into a little Streisand and Dietrich for good entertainment measure.
Girls will be boys and boys will be girls: When the curtain first went up at the performance I attended and revealed the Cagelles standing onstage, all dolled up in Monroe-esque glamor — shimmering white gowns, flouncy boas, picture-perfect hair and makeup — theatergoers gave out a little gasp and broke into applause. But that was just the start. The Cagelles— the “La Cage” chorus dancers— don’t just look good. They’re dynamic performers, too. Their can-can is an electrifying frolic, as they execute ridiculously high kicks and back flips in Ralph Perkins’ choreography. Throughout the show, these men and one woman cycle through awesome outfits, often shining in sequins and spangles and donning high heels and higher hair. While we’re at it, let’s give props to Marc Adam Rampmeyer, who did the hair, wig and makeup design here. Fabulous.
Crowd pleaser: Cedric Leiba Jr. bubbles with over-the-top theatricality as Georges and Albin’s maid (he prefers to be called the maid rather than the butler), and, boy, talk about an audience favorite. Every time Leiba comes onstage, you can sense the crowd grinning, gearing up to laugh at his latest sassy comeback or waggish facial expression.
Let’s hear it for Team “Cage”!: Director Rob Ruggiero displays a deft touch, making sure things have emotional weight where needed and fizzy fun where required. Speaking of fun, Michael McDonald brings just that to the costumes, from a dominatrix leather get- up to glittering- in- thelights gowns. Michael Schweikardt goes for pink and lavish in the scenic design, with Georges and Albin’s apartment (complete with expansive windows) unfolding cleverly from the nightclub set.