CdA Summer Theatre stages ‘La Cage’
Some eyebrows might be raised in Coeur d’Alene this week. Mostly, however, they’ll be plucked.
The region’s first production of the gay drag queen musical “La Cage aux Folles” might seem like a risky undertaking for the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, except for one thing: It’s one of the theater’s most-requested shows, said artistic director Roger Welch.
This particular cross-dressing story has proven to have exceptional mass appeal. It has won over audiences in just about every incarnation: as a 1973 French play, a 1978 French movie, a 1983 Broadway musical (upon which this production is based) and the 1996 American remake, “The Birdcage,” starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane.
Among the Broadway version’s accolades: six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book (in a year that also included Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park With George”).
New York Times theater critic Frank Rich said it was full of “glitz, showmanship, good cheer and almost unflagging tunefulness.”
It’s also a show that has a surprisingly traditional heart – despite the flamboyant trappings.
“Really, in a different sort of way, ‘La Cage’ is about family values,” said Welch. “It’s about doing what’s right for your children.”
Frankly, “La Cage” will probably be less risqué than last year’s CdA Summer Theatre hit, “The Full Monty.” At least in “La Cage,” the men wear clothes. Lots and lots of clothes.
The costumes are spectacular – feathers, feathers and more feathers. This is one show in which the costumes can be more complex than the sets, which is why the CdA Summer Theatre rented most of the costumes from a theater in Arizona.
The show also has some sensational production numbers, which require more than empty costumes. These numbers require outstanding dancers and singers to portray Les Cagelles – and they have to be credible as female impersonators, to boot.
“I’ve been able to bring in people who have done this show in touring productions and other productions, so we have this amazing set of dancers,” said Welch.
The show follows the storyline familiar from the French film and (with alterations), the American remake:
Georges owns a St. Tropez nightclub. His lover, Albin, stars as “Zaza” in a drag act. Georges has a son, Jean-Michel, who is engaged to the daughter of a conservative politician.
Georges and Albin want to impress the girl’s family, so they come up with a scheme to pretend that Georges is a distinguished diplomat and Albin is Sybil, the boy’s mother. Complications ensue.
“I went all over the country trying to nail down the perfect people for this season,” said Welch. “It’s very demanding.”
Albin will be played by Jerry Christakos, a veteran of the Broadway and London productions of “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and the national tour of “Les Miserables.” The role of Georges will be played by Chris Thompson, who played the lead in last season’s “Kiss Me Kate” at the CdA Summer Theatre.
Tralen Doler, who has directed a number of memorable shows in the region, directs.
The music and lyrics are by Jerry Herman, best known for “Hello, Dolly!” and “Mame.” Rich said that Herman’s score “gives the charge to every genuine sentiment in the show.”
The show’s visual style isn’t easy to encapsulate, but Welch promised one thing: CdA Summer Theatre audiences have never seen anything like it before.