La Cage aux Folles (musical)

La Cage aux Folles (French pronunciation: [la kaʒ o fɔl]) is a musical with a book by
La Cage aux Folles
Harvey Fierstein[1] and lyrics and music by Jerry Herman.[1] Based on the 1973
French play of the same name by Jean Poiret, it focuses on a gay couple: Georges,
the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his
romantic partner and star attraction, and the farcical adventures that ensue when
Georges's son, Jean-Michel, brings home his fiancée's ultra-conservative parents to
meet them. La cage aux folles literally means "the cage of mad women". However,
folles is also a slang term for effeminate homosexuals (queens).

The original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards
and won six, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. The success of the
musical spawned a West End production and several international runs. The 2004
Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival, and the 2008 London
revival garnered the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival. The 2010
Broadway revival was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning the Tony Award
for Best Revival of a Musical. La Cage aux Folles is the first musical which has won
Original Broadway windowcard
the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical twice and the show that has won a
Best Production Tony Award (Best Musical or Best Revival of a Musical) for each of
Music Jerry Herman
its Broadway productions. A National Tour, based on the 2010 revival, began in Lyrics Jerry Herman
October 2011 with George Hamilton as Georges and Christopher Sieber as Albin. Basis La Cage aux Folles
The show has had five nominations for Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical by Jean Poiret
from the three Broadway productions, twice for Georges and three times for Albin,
Productions 1983 Boston tryout
and won twice, both for Albin.
1983 Broadway
1985 Theater des
Westens Berlin,
Germany
Contents 1986 West End
Background 2001 Madrid
Synopsis 2004 Broadway
Act I revival
Act II 2008 West End
Characters revival
Productions 2010 Broadway
Original Broadway production revival
Original London production 2011 U.S. Tour
2004 Broadway revival 2017 UK Tour
2008 London revival
Awards Tony Award for Best
2010 Broadway revival
Musical
National Tour (2011–2012)
2017 UK Tour Tony Award for Best
International productions Book of a Musical
Tony Award for Best
Musical numbers
Original Score
Recordings
Drama Desk Award
Awards and nominations
for Outstanding
Original Broadway production
 2004 Broadway revival Music
2008 London revival Tony Award for Best
2010 Broadway revival Revival of a Musical
See also Drama Desk Award
Notes for Outstanding
References Revival
External links Laurence Olivier
Award for Best
Musical Revival

Background
Allan Carr, who had produced the successful film adaptation of Grease (1978), was eager to work in theatre and thought a musical
version of the hit 1978 film La Cage aux Folles would be an ideal vehicle for his Broadway debut.[2] However, he was unable to
.[3] Carr hired Jay Presson Allen to write the
secure the rights to the film and was forced to settle for the rights to the original play only
book and Maury Yeston to compose the score forThe Queen of Basin Street, an Americanized version set inNew Orleans. With Mike
Nichols set to direct and Tommy Tune on board as choreographer, Carr searched for executive producers and found them inFritz Holt
and Barry Brown, who immediately fired the entire creative team that Carr had assembled. All of them eventually filed lawsuits, but
Yeston alone won and later collected a small royalty from La Cage.[4]

Holt and Brown had produced the 1974 revival ofGypsy directed by Arthur Laurents, and they approached him with an offer to direct
their new venture. Laurents was not a fan of drag or camp entertainment and thought Holt and Brown never would find enough
investors to finance a gay-themed project at a time when, during the early years of the
AIDS epidemic, homophobia was more intense
than ever.[5] He agreed only because Holt and Brown were close friends and he wanted them to remain on Carr's payroll as long as
possible, but his interest grew when he learnedHarvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman had committed to the project.[6]

According to Laurents, when he met with Fierstein and Herman for the first time, they had restored both the title and locale of the
original play but had neither a script nor even an outline for the plot. All they had was the Herman song "I Am What I Am," and
Laurents immediately envisioned it as an emotional outburst sung at the close of the first act. Laurents further claims that when he
explained his concept to Fierstein and Herman, he inspired the direction they took in writing the musical.[6] Herman tells a very
different story in an interview included in the original cast CD. He claims that they were well into the collaboration when Fierstein
arrived one day with an emotional fiery scene he had written for the end of Act I that included the words "I am what I am."
Delighted, Herman asked to use the five words, boasting he would have a song by morning, which he did. With gay-activist Fierstein
and the political Laurents on board, the show could have "become a polemic diatribe on gay rights."[5] However, Herman was a
moderating influence. Having suffered a series of disappointments with darker-themed shows since 1969, he was eager to score a hit
with a mainstream, emotional, optimistic song-and-dance entertainment that middle-class audiences would enjoy.[5] The team opted
to create "a charming, colorful, great-looking musical comedy - an old-fashioned piece of entertainment," as Herman recalled in his
memoir Showtune.[7] By "delivering their sentiments in a sweetly entertaining manner", the team was able to convey their gay-
[8]
themed message with more impact than they could have with a more aggressive approach.

Fierstein, Herman and Laurents met daily in Herman's Manhattan townhouse to work on the musical. Because they were limited to
using only the Poiret play as a source, they were unable to include the character of Jean-Michel's birth mother, who had been created
for the film. They focused the plot on the fact that the relationship of Georges and Albin seems so natural that the boy is able to
accept a man as his "mother".[9] The three men agreed that Albin needed to be as glamorous an entertainer as possible, and Theoni V.
[10]
Aldredge was hired as costume designer to achieve their goal.

The producers agreed to a Boston tryout, and just before the second preview (the first was cancelled due to problems with the
mechanized set),[11] Herman had a panic attack prompted by his fear that the city probably was too conservative to embrace a gay-
themed musical, albeit one designed for a mainstream audience. The Boston crowds gave the show an enthusiastic reception.[12]
Fierstein, Herman and Laurents were also concerned that this was essentially a love story in which the lovers barely touched each
other. Fierstein suggested they kiss on the cheeks at the end, and Laurents, citing the common custom of French men kissing each
other on both cheeks, agreed.[13]
George Hearn as Albin had the showier role and many of the big musical numbers. His character was fully drawn, and behind the
drag performer, the audience could see "a person driven to take a stand for himself – a notion that all people could relate to."[8] In
contrast, during rehearsals, everyone had supported firing Gene Barry, who was considered adequate but never outstanding as
Georges, but finding a replacement proved to be difficult. Finally, just before opening night, Laurents directed him always to look
into Hearn's eyes, whenever the two men were on stage, so the audience would sense the depth of the couple's feelings for each other.
The director also had Georges introduce the various club acts with more of a flourish, "like an aria that will land like a musical
number." Both of these last-minute stage directions enabled Barry to get a better grasp of his character.[14] Barry went on to get a
Tony nomination for Best Actor in a musical for his ef
forts, Co-Star Hearn took home the trophy.

According to theatre historian John Kenrick, La Cage aux Folles helped make the 1983 Broadway season an especially strong one.
He noted that following La Cage and Big River in 1985, for "the first time since Oklahoma, a full decade would go by before a new
[15]
American musical would pass the 1,000-performance mark."

Synopsis

Act I
Georges, the master of ceremonies, welcomes the audience to his St. Tropez drag nightclub, "La Cage aux Folles". The chorus line
known as Les Cagelles appear and introduce themselves to the audience ("We Are What We Are"). Georges and his "wife", Albin,
have lived happily together for many years in an apartment above La Cage with their "maid" Jacob. Albin is a drag queen and the star
performer of La Cage aux Folles under the alias of "Zaza".

As Albin prepares to perform ("[A Little More] Mascara"), Georges's 24-year-old son Jean-Michel (the offspring of a confused,
youthful liaison with a woman named Sybil) arrives home with the news that he is engaged to Anne Dindon. Georges is reluctant to
approve of Jean-Michel's engagement, but Jean-Michel assures his father that he is in love with Anne ("With Anne on My Arm").
Unfortunately, her father is head of the "Tradition, Family and Morality Party", whose stated goal is to close the local drag clubs.
Anne's parents want to meet their daughter's future in-laws. Jean-Michel has lied to his fiancée, describing Georges as a retired
diplomat. Jean-Michel pleads with Georges to tell Albin to absent himself (and his flamboyant behaviors) for the visit - and for
Georges to redecorate the apartment in a more subdued fashion. Jean-Michel also asks Georges to invite Sybil, who has barely seen
him since his birth, to dinner in Albin's stead. Albin returns from the show to greet his son when Georges suggests that they take a
walk ("With You on My Arm").

Georges takes Albin to the Promenade Café, owned by Monsieur and Madame Renaud, where he attempts to soften Albin's emotions
before telling him of Jean-Michel's request ("Song on the Sand"). Before Geor
ges can break the news to him, Albin suggests that they
hurry back to La Cage to make it in time for the next show. They arrive in time and Albin takes the stage once more as Zaza ("La
Cage aux Folles"). While Albin is performing, Georges and Jean-Michel quickly redecorate the house. While Albin is changing for
his next number, he notices the two carrying his gowns and demands to know what is going on. Georges finally tells Albin of Jean-
Michel's plan and expects Albin to explode with fury, but he remains silent. Albin then re-joins Les Cagelles onstage, tells them to
leave, and begins to sing alone in defiance of Jean-Michel, stating that he is proud of who he is and refuses to change for anyone ("I
Am What I Am"). He throws his wig at Georges and departs in a huff.

Act II
The next morning, Georges finds Albin at the Promenade Café after his abrupt departure and apologizes ("Song on the Sand
[Reprise]"). He then suggests to Albin that he dress up for dinner as macho "Uncle Al". Albin is still upset, but reluctantly agrees to
act like a heterosexual for Jean-Michel. With the help of Monsieur and Madame Renaud, Georges successfully teaches Albin to
abandon his flamboyancy ("Masculinity"). Back at the chastely redesigned apartment, Georges shows "Uncle Al" to Jean-Michel.
Jean-Michel doesn't like the idea and expresses his dislike for Albin's lifestyle. Georges angrily reminds Jean-Michel of how good of
a "mother" Albin has been to him ("Look Over There"). They then receive a telegram that Jean-Michel's mother Sybil is not coming
and Anne's parents arrive ("Dishes [Cocktail Counterpoint]"). Hoping to save the day, Albin appears as Jean-Michel's buxom, forty-
year-old mother, in pearls and sensible shoes. The nervous Jacob burns the dinner, so a trip to a local restaurant, "Chez Jacqueline",
belonging to an old friend of Albin and Georges, is quickly arranged. No one has told Jacqueline of the situation, and she asks Albin
(as Zaza) for a song, to which he hesitantly agrees ("The Best of Times"). Everyone in the restaurant begins to take part in the song,
causing Albin to yield to the frenzy of performance and tear of
f his wig at the song's climax, revealing his true identity
.

Back at the apartment, the Dindons plead with their daughter to abandon her fiancé, for they are appalled by his homosexual parents,
but she is in love with Jean-Michel and refuses to leave him. Jean-Michel, deeply ashamed of the way he has treated Albin, asks his
forgiveness ("Look Over There [Reprise]"), which is lovingly granted. The Dindons prepare to depart, but their way is blocked by
Jacqueline, who has arrived with the press, ready to photograph the notorious anti-homosexual activists with Zaza. Georges and
Albin have a proposal: If Anne and Jean-Michel may marry, Georges will help the Dindons escape through La Cage downstairs.
Georges bids the audience farewell while Les Cagelles prepare the Dindons for the grand finale ("La Cage aux Folles [Reprise]").
Georges then introduces the Dindons, dressed in drag as members of the nightclub's revue, and they escape the paparazzi with Jean-
Michel and Anne behind them. With everyone gone, Albin enters and he and Georges briefly sing of their love for each other before
sharing a kiss ("Finale [With You On My Arm/La Cage aux Folles/Song on the Sand/The Best Of T
imes]").

Characters
Albin – the aging star of La Cage aux Folles who performs as the drag queen “Zaza.”
Georges – Albin's husband of twenty years and the owner andmaster of ceremonies of La Cage.
Jean-Michel – Georges's twenty-four-year-old son from a brief heterosexual fling in
Paris, raised by Albin and
Georges as mother and father.
Jacob – Albin and Georges'sbutler, although he prefers to be called themaid, who dreams of performing in their
show. He is close to Albin and often at odds with Georges.
Jacqueline – Albin and Georges's stylish and imposing friend and the owner ofChez Jaqueline, an elegant
restaurant.
Anne Dindon – Jean-Michel's fiancée.
Edouard Dindon – Anne's ultra-conservative father and the Deputy General of the Tradition, Family, and Morality
Party.
Marie Dindon – Anne's mother and Edouard’s wife.
Francis – the stage manager of La Cage.
M. Renaud – Albin and Georges’ friend and the owner of the Promenade Café.
St. Tropez Townspeople – Babette, Colette, Etienne, Hercule, Paulette, Mme. Renaud, andabarro.
T
Les Cagelles, twelve ensemble drag performers who work atLa Cage (six in the 2010 Broadway Revival) –
Angelique, Bitelle, Chantal, Clo-Clo, Dermah, Hanna, Lo Singh, Mercedes, Monique, Nicole, Odette, and Phaedra.

Productions

Original Broadway production

La Cage aux Folles opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on August 21, 1983. It was directed by Arthur Laurents and
choreographed by Scott Salmon, with set design by David Mitchell, costume design by Theoni V. Aldredge, and lighting design by
Jules Fisher. The original Broadway cast included Gene Barry as Georges and George Hearn as Albin, with John Weiner as Jean-
Michel, Walter Charles as M. Renaud, Jay Garner as Edouard Dindon, Merle Louise as Mme. Dindon, Elizabeth Parrish as
Jacqueline, Leslie Stevens as Anne, and William Thomas, Jr. as Jacob.[16] Among the replacement performers who appeared in La
Cage aux Folles during its original Broadway run were Walter Charles, Keene Curtis, Van Johnson, Peter Marshall, Keith Michell,
Jamie Ross and Lee Roy Reams.[16] The original production received nine Tony Award nominations, winning a total of six including
Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical. The show beat several strong competitors in many categories,
including Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George. It also won three Drama Desk Awards. The production ran for four
years and 1,761 performances, closing on November 15, 1987.[16] After the great success of the production's opening night, Herman
[17]
felt vindicated. He "had nothing else to prove" to his critics and "vowed never to write another show for Broadway".
Original London production
The show had its West End premiere at the London Palladium on May 7, 1986 with the same creative team as the Broadway
production. Hearn transferred with the production, which was made possible through an agreement with the American and British
actors' unions, allowing him to come over in exchange for Robert Lindsay appearing in Me and My Girl on Broadway.[18] The
production also starred Denis Quilley as Georges,[19] Jonathon Morris as Jean-Michel, Richard Owens as M. Renaud, Brian Glover
as Edouard Dindon, Julia Sutton as Mme. Dindon, Phyllida Law as Jacqueline, Wendy Roe as Anne and Donald Waugh as Jacob and
Jerry Lane as Phaedra. The show closed in London after 301 performances. Its short run and financial failure were partly blamed on
the AIDS crisis, and producers were uncomfortable about portraying gay lives onstage quite so openly in mainstream musicals for
some time afterwards.[20]

2004 Broadway revival

The first Broadway revival opened at the Marquis Theatre, beginning previews on November 11, 2004, with an official opening on
December 9, 2004. The production team included Jerry Zaks as director, Jerry Mitchell as choreographer, Scott Pask, Donald Holder
and William Ivey Long as designers. The cast included Gary Beach as Albin, Daniel Davis as Georges, Gavin Creel as Jean-Michel,
Merwin Foard as M. Renaud, Michael Mulheren as Edouard Dindon, Linda Balgord as Mme. Dindon, Ruth Williamson as
Jacqueline, Angela Gaylor as Anne, and Michael Benjamin Washington as Jacob.[21] Robert Goulet replaced Davis as Georges on
April 15, 2005 and played the role until the production closed. Reviews for the production were mixed, with The New York Times
stating that it "often gives the impression of merely going through the motions, amiably but robotically, of its gag-laden, sentimental
plot", yet praised Les Cagelles, who "bring acrobatic oomph and angularity to centerpieces that include an aviary of exotic, back-
flipping birds and a vigorous Montmartre-style can-can. As long as the Cagelles are doing their thing, your attention stays thoroughly
engaged".[22] The revival won numerous Tony and Drama Desk awards. The production closed on June 26, 2005. Ticket sales for the
show had not increased after winning the Tony Award, and the show had been consistently selling at less than 60% capacity in the
months before closing.[23][24]

2008 London revival

A scaled-down London revival, starring Philip Quast and Douglas Hodge opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory on January 8,
2008, and played there until March 8, 2008.[25] The cast also includedNeil McDermott, Iain Mitchell and Una Stubbs, with direction
by Terry Johnson and choreography by Lynne Page. The production had originally been scheduled to open in December 2007, but it
was delayed twice due to illness within the cast. By the time the production officially opened, all remaining performances had sold
[26]
out. The show opened to mostly positive press with particular praise for Hodge's performance as Albin.

The Menier Chocolate Factory production transferred to the West End on October 20, 2008 at the Playhouse Theatre co-produced
with Sonia Friedman Productions, Robert G. Bartner, David Ian Productions, The Ambassador Theatre Group, Matthew Mitchell and
Jamie Hendry Productions. It was initially advertised as a "Strictly Limited 12 Week Season",[27] although this became open-ended
due to its success.[28] Hodge reprised his role as Albin, joined by Denis Lawson as Georges.[29] The cast also included Iain Mitchell
as M Renaud/Edouard Dindon, Paula Wilcox as Mme. Ranaud/Mme. Dindon and Tracie Bennett as Jacqueline. The production
gathered rave reviews, with high praise again for Hodge and Les Cagelles. Whatsonstage.com commented: "A great Broadway show
has been reborn as a classic musical comedy with real punch and pizzazz." Michael Billington of The Guardian reported that the
show had improved with its transfer to the West End from the Menier Chocolate Factory.[30] The 2008 West End cast appeared as a
guest act for the Royal Variety Performance 2008, staged at the London Palladium on December 11, 2008, in the presence of senior
members of the Royal family[31] The production won theLaurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, and Hodge won for Best
Actor, out of a total of seven nominations. The roles of Albin and Geor
ges have been re-cast in London every three months with well-
known actors to keep the production fresh and public interest high. Television personality Graham Norton took over the role of Albin
on January 19, 2009, alongside Steven Pacey as Georges.[32] They were succeeded on May 4, 2009, by theatre veterans Roger Allam
as Albin and Philip Quast reprising his role of Georges from the Menier Chocolate Factory.[33] From September 12, 2009, until
November 28, 2009, John Barrowman and Simon Burke played the roles of Albin and Georges respectively.[34] Douglas Hodge as
Albin and Denis Lawson as Georges returned to the production from 30 November 2009, until the production closed on January 2,
2010.[35]

2010 Broadway revival

A transfer of the 2008 London revival to Broadway began previews at the Longacre Theatre on April 6, 2010, and officially opened
on April 18, 2010. Johnson and Page directed and choreographed.Douglas Hodge reprised the role of Albin.Kelsey Grammer starred
as Georges in his debut in a Broadway musical (he had previously performed Shakespeare on Broadway). The set design was by Tim
chestrations by Jason Carr.[36] The
Shortall, costumes by Matthew Wright, lighting by Nick Richings, and scaled down eight-player or
production received positive reviews, many praising the scaled-down nature of the production and the performances of newcomers
Douglas Hodge and Kelsey Grammer as Albin and Georges.[37] The cast also featured A.J Shively in his Broadway debut as Jean-
Michel, Robin de Jesus as Jacob, Fred Applegate as M. Renaud/M. Dindon, Veanne Cox as Mme. Renaud/Mme. Dindon, Christine
Andreas as Jacqueline and Elena Shaddow as Anne. The Cagelles included Nick Adams, Logan Keslar, Sean Patrick Doyle, Nicholas
Cunningham, Terry Lavell and Yurel Echezarreta. The production received 11 Tony Award nominations and won Best Musical
Revival, Best Actor in a Musical (Douglas Hodge) and Best Direction of a Musical. A cast recording of the revival was made by PS
Classics and was released on September 28, 2010. The production closed on May 1, 201
1, after 433 performances and 15 previews.

Notable replacements

Allyce Beasley replaced Veanne Cox as Mme. Renaud/Mme. Dindon on September 14, 2010.
Jeffrey Tambor replaced Kelsey Grammer as Georges on February 15, 2011, but withdrew from the production
following the February 24, 2011, performance. Chris Hoch, who normally played Francis, and also served as an
[38]
understudy for the leads assumed the role of Georges until a permanent replacement was found.
Harvey Fierstein replaced Douglas Hodge as Albin/Zaza on February 15, 2011.
Wilson Jermaine Herediareplaced Robin de Jesus as Jacob on February 15, 2011.
Michael McShane replaced Fred Applegate as M. Renaud/M. Dindon on February 15, 2011.
Christopher Sieber replaced Jeffrey Tambor as Georges on March 11, 2011.
Veanne Cox returned to the role of Mme. Renaud/Mme. Dindon on April 5, 2011.
Heather Lindell replaced Elena Shaddow in the role of Anne on April 5, 2011.

National Tour (2011–2012)

A national tour modeled after the 2010 Broadway Revival began in September 2011 starting in Des Moines, Iowa. At first, Mr.
Fierstein was asked to play the role of Georges and Mr. Sieber was asked to play the role of Albin, each taking the role each other had
played on Broadway. Due to a full schedule, as having to write the book of the Disney musical Newsies and the musical Kinky Boots,
Mr. Fierstein had to decline this offer. This tour starred George Hamilton in the role of Georges and Christopher Sieber as Albin.
Sieber, who was very critically praised for his portrayal of Albin, had previously played the role of 'Georges' on Broadway opposite
Harvey Fierstein. This was Sieber's national tour debut.[39][40]

2017 UK Tour
A UK tour produced by Bill Kenwright is scheduled to begin on 5 January 2017 at the New Theatre, Oxford. The cast will include
John Partridge as Albin, Adrian Zmed as Georges and Marti Webb as Jacqueline.[41] Martin Connor will direct the production, with
[42] This production will be the first
choreography by Bill Deamer, design by Gary McCann and musical direction by Mark Crossland.
to tour the UK.

International productions

1985 Australian production

The 1985 Australian production starred Keith Michell (as Georges) and Jon Ewing (as Albin).[43]

1985 German production

The German production opened at the Theater des Westens in Berlin on October 23, 1985 starring Helmut Baumann as Albin/Zaza,
Günther König as Georges and Steve Barton as Jean-Michel. It played for 301 performances. In 1986, Steve Barton, who opened the
show as Jean-Michel, took over the role of Albin/Zaza.

1991 Colombian production

The Colombian production debout was on June 1991 at the Teatro Nacional La Castellana, Bogotá. Salsa singer César Mora
(Albin/Zazá) and the great Spanish-Colombian actor and Show-Man Fernando González Pacheco as George (actually called Renato,
in this Spanish version by César Scola and María Cecilia Botero.) There is a recording of this stage production. Soap Operas famous
villain Catherine Siachoque was a Cagelle on this Colombian production.

1993 Mexican production

The Mexico City production ran for two and a half years at the Teatro Silvia Pinal and starred Javier Díaz Dueñas as Albin/Zaza and
Gustavo Rojo as Georges.

1999 Estonian production

The Estonian production was staged in Tallinn City Concert Hall (Tallinna Linnahall) by Smithbridge Productions and starred Tõnu
Oja as Albin and Tõnu Kilgas as Georges. This was the first production in the of rmer Soviet Union area.

2001 Spanish production

The Spanish production premiered at the Teatro Nuevo Apolo in Madrid and starred Andrés Pajares as Albin, Joaquín Kremel as
Georges and Jacobo Dicenta as Jean-Michel.

2009 Portuguese production

The show opened in Portugal at the Rivoli Theatre in Porto on April 2009 with Carlos Quintas as Georges (Armando del Carlos) and
José Raposo as Albin (Carlos Alberto/Zazá)[44]

2010 Dutch production

1 in the DeLaMar theater, Amsterdam.[45]

A Dutch production premiered in November 2010 and ran through to June 201

2012 Korean production

The Korean production ran inSeoul in 2012 for two months.[46] Korean production won 4 awards in Korean Musical A
wards.

2013 Danish production

A new Danish production opened in the spring 2013 at the Aarhus Theatre starring Niels Ellegaard (Georges) and Anders Baggesen
(Albin).

2013 Panama production

The show opened in Panama City on June 2013 at the Teatro en Círculo. It stars Edwin Cedeño (Albin/Zaza) and Aaron Zebede
(Georges).[47]

2013 Puerto Rican production

The Puerto Rican production premiered on August 16, 2013 at the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center in San Juan, starring Rafael
José as Albin and Braulio Castillo, Jr. as Georges, with Ulises Santiago de Orduna as Jean-Michel. Junior Álvarez as M.
Renaud/Edouard Dindon, Sara Jarque as Mme. Renaud/Marie Dindon, Deddie Romero as Jacqueline, Andrea Méndez as Anne, and
Bryan Villarini as Jacob[48][49]

2013 Swedish production

The Swedish production premiered on September 7, 2013 at The Göteborg Opera in Gothenburg, starring Mikael Samuelson as
Albin/Zaza and Hans Josefsson as Georges.[50]

Other foreign language productions have played in Copenhagen, Oslo (twice), Bergen, Vienna, Italy, Turku, Helsinki (twice),
Jyväskylä, Seinäjoki, Buenos Aires, Lima, Stockholm, Bogotá, Tallinn, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo..

2014 Hungarian production

The Hungarian production ("Az Őrült Nők Ketrece" in Hungarian language) premiered on July 12, 2014 at Átrium theatre in
Budapest, produced by Kultúrbrigád, is still running. This production directed byRobert Alfoldi, choreographed by Krisztián Gergye,
starring András Stohl as Albin/Zaza, Gábor Hevér as Georges, Balázs Fehér as Jean-Michel, with László Józan and Tibor Fehér as
Jacob. [51]

2014 Korean Revival

The Korean Revival ran inLG Arts Center, Seoul in 2014 for three months

2015 Philippine production

The Philippines production premiered February 28, 2015 at the Carlos P Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza, starring Audie Gemora
as Albin and Michael De Mesa as Georges, with Steven Silva as Jean-Michel, produced by 9 Works Theatrical, with direction by
Robbie Guevara and scenography by Mio Infante.

2015 Mexican Revival

The Mexican Revival premiered November 23, 2015 at the Teatro Hidalgo, starring Roberto Blandón as George, Mario Iván
Martínez as Albin (later replaced by Jose Antonio Lopez Tercero), Rogelio Suarez as Silviah (who also covered Zazá for some
T [52]
shows), and Israel Estrada as Jean-Michel, directed by Matias Gorlero and produced by Juanorres.

2015 Swedish production

, and is still running (last show March 3, 2016).[53]

The Swedish production premiered November 14, 2015 at the Uppsala stadsteater

Musical numbers
Note: Original Broadway production[54]

Act I Act II

Prelude – Orchestra "Song on the Sand" (Reprise) – Georges and Albin

"We Are What We Are" – Georges and Les Cagelles
"(A Little More) Mascara" – Albin and Les Cagelles
"With Anne on My Arm" – Jean-Michel and Georges
"With You on My Arm" – Georges and Albin
"Song on the Sand" – Georges
"La Cage aux Folles" – Albin, Jacqueline and Les
Cagelles
"I Am What I Am" – Albin
"Masculinity" – Georges, Albin, Monsieur Renaud,
Madame Renaud and Tabarro
"Look Over There" – Georges
"Cocktail Counterpoint" – Georges, Edouard Dindon,
Mme. Dindon and Jacob
"The Best of Times" – Albin, Jacqueline and Company
"Look Over There" (Reprise) – Jean-Michel
"La Cage aux Folles" (Reprise) – Georges
 Finale – Company

Recordings
There are currently three cast recordings available for the show: the Original Broadway cast, the Original Australian cast and the
2010 Broadway revival cast. No recording was made for the 2004 revival.

Albin's Act I finale number, "I Am What I Am", was recorded by Gloria Gaynor and proved to be one of her biggest hits. It was also
recorded by other artists, including Shirley Bassey, Tony Bennett, Pia Zadora,[8] and John Barrowman. It also became a rallying cry
of the Gay Pride movement.

Awards and nominations

Original Broadway production

Year Award Category Nominee Result

Best Musical Won
Best Book of a Musical Harvey Fierstein Won
Best Original Score Jerry Herman Won

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a George Hearn Won

Tony Award Musical Gene Barry Nominated
Best Direction of a Musical Arthur Laurents Won
Best Choreography Scott Salmon Nominated
Best Costume Design Theoni V. Aldredge Won
1984 Best Lighting Design Jules Fisher Nominated
Outstanding Book of a Musical Harvey Fierstein Nominated
George Hearn Won
Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Gene Barry Nominated

Drama Desk Outstanding Music Won

Jerry Herman
Award Outstanding Lyrics Nominated
Outstanding Orchestrations Jim Tyler Nominated
Outstanding Costume Design Theoni V. Aldredge Won
Outstanding Lighting Design Jules Fisher Nominated

2004 Broadway revival

 Year Award Category Nominee Result
Best Revival of a Musical Won
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a
Gary Beach Nominated
Tony Award Musical
Best Choreography Jerry Mitchell Won
2005
Best Costume Design William Ivey Long Nominated
Outstanding Revival of a Musical Won
Drama Desk
Outstanding Choreography Jerry Mitchell Won
Award
Outstanding Costume Design William Ivey Long Nominated

2008 London revival

Year Award Category Nominee Result

Best Musical Revival Won
Douglas Hodge Won
Best Actor in a Musical
Denis Lawson Nominated
Laurence Olivier Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a
2009 Jason Pennycooke Nominated
Award Musical
Best Director of a Musical Terry Johnson Nominated
Best Theatre Choreographer Lynne Page Nominated
Best Costume Design Matthew Wright Nominated

2010 Broadway revival

Year Award Category Nominee Result
Best Revival of a Musical Won

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Kelsey Grammer Nominated

Musical Douglas Hodge Won
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a
Robin de Jesus Nominated
Musical
Best Direction of a Musical Terry Johnson Won
Tony Award
Best Choreography Lynne Page Nominated
Best Orchestrations Jason Carr Nominated
Best Scenic Design Tim Shortall Nominated

2010 Best Costume Design Matthew Wright Nominated

Best Lighting Design Nick Richings Nominated
Best Sound Design Jonathan Deans Nominated
Outstanding Revival of a Musical Won
Outstanding Actor in a Musical Douglas Hodge Won
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Robin de Jesus Nominated
Drama Desk
Outstanding Director of a Musical Terry Johnson Nominated
Award[55]
Outstanding Choreography Lynne Page Nominated
Outstanding Costume Design Matthew Wright Won
Outstanding Sound Design Jonathan Deans Nominated

See also
The Birdcage
La Cage aux Folles (film)

Notes
1. Brantley, Ben (March 28, 2011). "Her Sequins, Plumes and Foghorn Voice" (https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/th
eater/harvey-fierstein-joins-la-cage-aux-folles.html)
. The New York Times.
2. Laurents, p. 115
3. Laurents, p. 119
4. Laurents, p. 118
5. Bloom and Vlastnik, p. 176
6. Laurents, pp. 119-20
7. Herman, p. 227
8. Bloom and Vlastnik, p. 177
9. Laurents, p. 122
10. Herman, p. 233
11. Laurents, p. 128
12. Herman, pp. 239-40
13. Laurents, p. 121
14. Laurents, pp. 126-27
15. "1980s Stage II: Triumphs & Embarrassments" (http://www.musicals101.com/1980bway2.htm).
www.musicals101.com. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
16. League, The Broadway. "La Cage aux Folles | IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information"(http://www.ibdb.c
om/Production/View/4231). www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
17. Bloom and Herman, p. 224
18. Gerard, Jeremy (June 25, 1987)."2 Actors' Unions Wage Trans-Atlantic Battle" (https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/2
5/theater/2-actors-unions-wage-trans-atlantic-battle.html)
. The New York Times.
19. Billington, Michael, "A gay night at home with the boys",The Guardian, 9 May 1986, p. 12
20. "I Love The Nightlife", (http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/mt/mt-search.cgi?blog_id=2&tag=The%20Rocky%20Horror%20S
how&limit=20&IncludeBlogs=2)The Stage, June 6, 2007
21. "La Cage aux Folles | IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information"(http://www.ibdb.com/Production/View/383
058). www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
22. Brantley, Ben (December 10, 2004)."Family Guys Who Are What They Are"(http://theater2.nytimes.com/2004/12/1
0/theater/reviews/10cage.html). The New York Times.
23. Jones, Kenneth (June 7, 2005)."La Cage Will Close June 26, Despite T
ony Awards" (http://www.playbill.com/news/a
rticle/93412-La_Cage_Will_Close_June_26_Despite_T ony_Awards). Playbill. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
24. "LA CAGE AUX FOLLES 2004-2005 Broadway Grosses - 2005 (BroadwayW
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om/grosses/LA-CAGE-AUX-FOLLES-2004-2005)
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25. Fisher, Philip. "Theatre review: La Cage aux Folles at Menier Chocolate Factory"(http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/
reviews/lacage-rev). www.britishtheatreguide.info. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
26. "Review Round-up: Is La Cage Another Menier Hit?"(http://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/01-200
8/review-round-up-is-la-cage-another-menier-hit_20049.html)
. WhatsOnStage.com. January 11, 2008. Retrieved
2016-02-20.
27. Promotional Leaflet
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ds-London-run.aspx) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20110718031644/http://www
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usNews/La-Cage-aux-Folles-extends-London-run.aspx)2011-07-18 at the Wayback Machine., westendlondon.com
29. Shenton, Mark. "Menier La Cage Begins Performances at W est End's Playhouse Theatre Oct. 20"(https://web.archi
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8/review-round-up-did-hodge-sparkle-in-la-cage_18735.html?_html=)
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31. Royal Variety Press Release 2008(http://www.eabf.org.uk/RVP-PressRelease08) eabf.org.uk
32. "Graham Norton Joins La Cage"(http://www.keithprowse.com/tickets/slink.buy/e.TR4/london/la-cage-aux-folles,-play
house-theatre/graham-norton-joins-la-cage.html)
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33. "Allam and Quast to Lead La Cage"(http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/46331/theatre-news/allam-and-quast-to-lead-l
a-cage.html) nationaltheatre.org.uk
34. "Burke to Join Barrowman in LondonLa Cage aux Folles" (http://www.playbill.com/news/article/131410-Burke_to_Joi
n_Barrowman_in_London_La_Cage_aux_Folles)Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20090727083330/http://ww
w.playbill.com/news/article/131410-Burke_to_Join_Barrowman_in_London_La_Cage_aux_Folles)2009-07-27 at the
Wayback Machine., playbill.com
35. Shenton, Mark (November 11, 2009)."West End's La Cage Aux Folles to Shutter Jan. 2, Prior to Broadway
Opening" (https://web.archive.org/web/20131103014349/http://www .playbill.com/news/article/134524-West-Ends-La-
Cage-Aux-Folles-to-Shutter-Jan-2-Prior-to-Broadway-Opening). Playbill. Archived from the original (http://www.playbi
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November 3, 2013.
36. Gans, Andrew (April 18, 2010)."Open Up Your Closet: La Cage aux Folles Revival Opens on Broadway April 18"(htt
p://www.playbill.com/news/article/open-up-your-closet-la-cage-aux-folles-revival-opens-on-broadway-april-18-16771
8). Playbill. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
37. Brantley, Ben (April 19, 2010). "Squint, and the World Is Beautiful" (http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/theater/rev
iews/19cage.html). The New York Times.
38. "Jeffrey Tambor Withdraws from LA CAGE AUX FOLLES; Understudy Steps in - For Now"
(http://broadwayworld.co
m/article/Jeffrey_Tambor_Withdraws_from_LA_CAGE_AUX_FOLLES_20110225) . BroadwayWorld.com. BWW
News Desk. February 25, 2011. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
39. Gans, Andrew (April 6, 2011)."Broadway's La Cage aux Folles Will Close May 1"(https://web.archive.org/web/2012
1020162942/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/149599-Broadways-La-Cage-aux-Folles-Will-Close-May-1) .
Playbill. Archived from the original (http://www.playbill.com/news/article/149599-Broadways-La-Cage-aux-Folles-Will-
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40. "George Hamilton to Star in National Tour of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES"(http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Georg
e-Hamilton-to-Star-in-National-Tour-of-LA-CAGE-AUX-FOLLES-20110425). BroadwayWorld.com. BWW News Desk.
April 25, 2011. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
41. "Marti Webb joins cast of La Cage aux Folles" (http://www.whatsonstage.com/bath-theatre/news/marti-webb-joins-ca
st-of-la-cage-aux-folles_42250.html). WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
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es_103810/cast/). whatsonstage. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
43. "La Cage aux Folles Australian Cast (1985)"(https://web.archive.org/web/20121008204252/http://broadwayworld.co
m/bwidb/sections/audio/index.php?var=66019) . BroadwayWorld.com - La Cage aux Folles [Australian Cast (1985)]
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References
Bloom, Ken and Vlastnik, Frank.Broadway Musicals: The 101 Greatest Shows of All T
ime, Black Dog & Leventhal
Publishers (2004; revised paperback ed. 2008).ISBN 978-1-57912-313-0
 Publishers (2004; revised paperback ed. 2008).ISBN 978-1-57912-313-0
Bloom, Ken and Jerry Herman.Jerry Herman: the lyrics: a celebration, Routledge (2003). ISBN 0-415-96768-6
Herman, Jerry and Marilyn Stasio.Showtune: A Memoir by Jerry Herman, New York: Donald I. Fine Books (1996).
ISBN 1-55611-502-4
Laurents, Arthur. Mainly on Directing: Gypsy, West Side Story, and Other Musicals, New York: Knopf (2009). ISBN 0-
307-27088-2

External links
Official website
La Cage aux Folles (musical)at the Internet Broadway Database
Rich, Frank (August 22, 1983). "Stage: The Musical 'Cage Aux Folles'". The New York Times.
Broadway World review of the 2004 revival
Profile of the show
Photos from the original Broadway production
Profile of the musical with many links to the songs, albums and other information
Review of the musical at the Playhouse Theatre in London | November 3, 2008
Production, cast, and plot information from guidetomusicaltheatre.com
Background and other information about the musical
Playbill feature
Analysis of La Cage and its Broadway season

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