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Winner of 11 Tony Awards, the hit Broadway musical LA CAGE AUX FOLLES has returned to Sydney with the opening night at the State Theatre taking place on Thursday 20th April 2023.
Five-time Helpmann Award winner Paul Capsis is in the lead role of Albin, and internationally renowned singer and actor Michael Cormick (Beauty and The Beast, The Phantom Of The Opera) plays his husband Georges.
Zoë Ventoura (Home and Away, Packed To The Rafters) is Marie Dindon, while Peter Phelps (Stingers, The Flying Doctors) returns to the stage as Edouard Dindon, conservative politician and future in-law. Anthony Brandon Wong (Matrix Reloaded, The Family Law) takes the role of the wild butler/maid, Jacob and Lucia Mastrantone (Looking For Alibrandi, The Secrets She Keeps) plays multiple roles including the stylish restauranteur and best friend, Jacqueline.
The two young lovebirds, Jean-Michel and Anne, at the centre of the caper are played by exciting new talents Noah Mullins (West Side Story, Jagged Little Pill) and Chloe Malek (An American In Paris). Also joining the mayhem is James Lee (Annie, My Fair Lady) as Tabarro, one of the townspeople from Saint-Tropez .
Playing the “notorious and dangerous Cagelles” are the extraordinary all singing, all dancing talents of Rachel Cole, Nick Eynaud, Matthew Jensen, NicJones, Liam Peel, Ethan Ritchie, Trent Sinclair and Max Walburn.
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is a traditional Broadway musical with big, brassy dance numbers, yet it was revolutionary in many ways. Opening on Broadway in 1983, it broke barriers for gay representation by becoming the first hit Broadway musical centred on a homosexual relationship. The show’s act one finale, I Am What I Am, is regarded as a “gay anthem” and has been widely recorded.
The original Broadway production ran for more than four years and won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. The success of the musical spawned a West End production and several international runs, and the box-office smash-hit film The Birdcage. Subsequent revivals have garnered considerable success, winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in both 2004 and 2010, as well as the Olivier Award in London for Best Musical Revival in 2008.
The musical is based on the 1973 French play of the same name by Jean Poiret, La Cage aux Folles boasts melodies by Jerry Herman (Hello Dolly, Mame) and the book is by Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots, Torch Song Trilogy).
The show tells the story of a gay couple who run a St Tropez drag club. When their (heterosexual) son brings his fiancée’s ultraconservative parents for dinner, chaos and hilarity ensues.
Showtune Productions presents this all-new Australian production, with direction by Riley Spadaro (The Italians, This Bitter Earth), choreography by Veronica Beattie George (The Boy From Oz, Guys and Dolls), musical consultation by Michael Tyack AM (Come From Away, Chicago) with musical direction by Paul White (Matilda, Cats) fronting an 8-piece band, costume design by James Browne (Blanc de Blanc, Hair), set design by Grace Deacon (Destroy She Said, Never Closer), lighting design by Phoebe Pilcher (The Bridges of Madison County, Never Closer), sound design by Anthony Lorenz (Hair, In The Heights), and wig and makeup design by Drew-Elizabeth Johnstone (Les Girls, Cabaret The Musical).
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is playing the State Theatre, Market Street, city until the 23rd April 2023.
Featured image : Michael Cormick and Paul Capsis Pic John McRae
