La Cage aux Folles

Well, the musical I was supposed to review today is one that I'm having to order. I would remark on how I hate that all musical isn't digital yet, but that's a rant I don't really feel like pouring time into. Instead, today I'm listening to La Cage aux Folles. I've got a copy of the 2010 revival right in my CD case and it's already been ripped and I'm ready to go. :)

La Cage aux Folles has lyrics and music by Jerry Herman and the book was written by Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein. It originally opened up on Broadway in 1983 and ran for four years with 1,761 performances, which was a big deal at the time. The story focuses on a gay couple: George (the owner of a nightclub that the play is named after) and Albin (his star attraction at said nightclub). They both have a son (Jean-Michel) from a previous affair that George had and he is engaged to a girl (Anne Dindon) with ultra-conservative parents. It's a very fun musical with a message of acceptance and it was a risky move back when it opened. I'm glad it has withstood the test of time.

We start with a short little prelude and head into "We Are What We Are". This is a chorus song sung by the chorus "girls" at La Cage aux Folles. It's a nice introduction to the play and lets us know what we should expect. It's immediately followed by a reprise and we learn that Albin is preparing for his part of the show.

"(A Little More) Mascara" is sung by Albin as he's getting ready. It's a nice little song that basically shows that the little things in life can make us feel better.

"With Anne on My Arm" has Jean-Michel explaining why Anne isn't like any other girl he's ever been with and why she's the girl for him. This is a sweet song and you can tell he really loves this girl.

"With You on My Arm" is a duet between Georges and Albin where you can really feel the love between the two characters. This has to be one of my favorites in the whole musical.

"Song on the Sand" has Georges trying to ease into telling Albin about Jean's request for him not to show up at the dinner, but it doesn't end up working because Albin flees out to stage.

"La Cage aux Folles" has Albin entertaining the patrons of the club with a strong song and dance routine in his drag persona Zaza.

After this, Georges breaks the news to him and Albin is shocked and goes out on the stage to sing...

"I Am What I Am". This is most certainly the most famous song from the show, with only one other really even coming close. Albin accepts who he is and doesn't want to live any other way, regardless of what other people might think of him. You go, girl.

Act II begins with Georges making up to Albin with a reprise of "Song on the Sand" and he submits to him an idea to masquerade him as Jean's Uncle Al.

"Masculinity" has Georges trying to get Albin to act more like John Wayne and less flamboyant. It's hilarious and quite moving too, considering how hard Albin is working to try and be there for Jean on his important night.

Jean-Michel doesn't really like the idea of trying this, but Georges reminds him in "Look Over There" that Albin has been a wonderful and kind "mother" to him.

"Cocktail Counterpoint" occurs after Anne's family arrives. It's one of those polyphonic songs I adore with several characters singing their points of view at the same time. Jean's biological mother clearly isn't coming, and Albin emerges dressed in drag as his mother. After the dinner is burned, the characters all go to a restaurant where the owners know Albin and Georges.

"The Best of Times" is sung (at first) by Albin, who was asked to perform for the restaurant by people who recognized him. This is my favorite song in the play and has a wonderful message about not worrying about the past and to live life as if it's your last day alive. At the end of the song, Albin rips off his wig and the ruse is lifted.

The parents are appalled and do not want Anne to marry Jean-Michel. He asks for Albin's forgiveness for acting the way he did and then the paparazzi arrives to see the ultra conservatives having dinner with a gay couple. Georges gets them out of there on the condition that the young ones can marry and that they sneak through La Cage aux Folles in drag and take part in the revue for the night, leading into the Finale.

This is a wonderful musical that really hasn't aged all that much considering it's pretty much a period piece. The characters are all realistic, the songs are fun, and the message is a strong one. You couldn't ask much else from a musical.

Again, I apologize for the chosen musical not being selected today, but it'll be done when I get it in the mail. :)