La Cage Aux Folles (September 1, 2010) AKA 2005 Vs. 2010

La Cage Aux Folles Playbill signed by Kelsey (Frasier) Grammer, A.J. Shively and @BwayCagelles Matt Anctil and Terry Lavel

My friend Anna and I sipping Frrrozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3 in New York City before the show.

My friend Anna and I, both librarians, have been planning a trip to NYC together for years and years. FINALLY, while we were both on StayCation, we finally made plans to see a Broadway show. So last Wednesday, we took a trip to The Big Apple and caught the matinee of the acclaimed revival of La Cage Aux Folles, which we both loved.

I saw the original revival of LCAF back in 2005, and it was one of the most horrendous theater-going experiences in my life. The show itself wasn't bad--music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Harvey Fierstein (the only famous person I ever met who was unequivocally a rude asshole, but talented) and adapted from the acclaimed 1978 French film (which was remade in the 90s as the hit film The Birdcage). But I had two major problems with it--one, it was at the Marriot Marquis Theater, which was too big a venue for a show set in a nightclub; and two, the two old cunts behind me (think a pair of Snookis in 60 years), who would not shut up during the entire first act ("Oh, theya gonna sing I Yam What I Yam" and "Woodja look at those outfits?!")--so much, in fact, that my friend and I complained at intermission--the usher spoke to both of them and they were mostly silent throughout the second act. So of course, when they revived it a mere 5 years later, I was skeptical.

But to my delight, 5 years later, his time it was different...and SO much better.

After lunch and some nommy Frrrozen Hot Chocolate at the legendary Serendipity 3 (once a favorite hangout of Andy Warhol and Marilyn Monroe), we taxied down to the Longacre Theatre for the 2:30 matinee, where we were graciously greeted by a stunning blonde drag queen who sprayed us with a water gun (it was a very hot day in NYC).

Based on the acclaimed revival at London's Menier Chocolate Factory, the current revival of La Cage Aux Folles was wonderful. Playing in a smaller venue (unlike the huge Marquis Theatre) was better suited for the show, complete with four tables surrounding the stage to give a suited nightclubby feel to the show (Anna and I had front row center seats, which was perfect), the show is set in pre-Aids 1970s St. Tropez. The focus of the show still had glitz, but the main focus was the characters and family. Georges (Kelsey Grammer) is the proprietor of the sensational nightclub La Cage Aux Folles, whose drag act stars his partner of 20 years, Albin (Douglas Hodge, reprising his role from the West End revival). When Georges's son Jean-Michel (a superb Broadway debut by A.J Shivley) arrives home to announce his impending marriage to the daughter of a majorly conservative politician, all hell breaks loose.

The performances were spectacular all around, and the Cagelles were a sight to behold in their club performances. And again, the smaller venue and the fact that no bitty bitches were behind me chatting their dentures off really added to my complete enjoyment of the show.

After the show, I introduced Anna to the art of getting autographs of the performers at the stage door; she was reluctant at first, but she got into it very quickly. We got our Playbills signed by Kelsey (Frasier) Grammer (who only signed about 8 Playbills--mine and Anna included--before heading into a waiting car), A.J. Shivley (who was very nice) and two Cagelles (Matt Anctil and Terry Lavel).

In short, I'm glad I gave La Cage Aux Folles another try with this revival. In the right circumstances, the show is one of the best theater-going experiences somebody can have. It made me almost forget and forgive the 2005 revival. In hindsight, the only positive that really came out of seeing it in 2005 is now I only see Broadway shows when I can get seats close to the stage, where bad behavior is a no-no. God bless Patti LuPone :)