When La Cage Aux Folles, a musical about a gay couple, first premiered on Broadway in 1983, it was considered way ahead of its time, if not totally revolutionary. Now the national tour of the 2010 three-time Tony award-winning scaled-down second revival, which opened Wednesday at Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre, is playing through Jan. 1.
With music by Jerry Herman and book by Harvey Fierstein, La Cage Aux Folles recounts the story of Georges, the owner of a Saint Tropez nightclub featuring a lavish drag show, and his partner, Albin, who holds court as Zaza, its reigning diva. Sparks fly and turmoil abounds when Georges’ son Jean-Michael invites his fiancée’s conservative parents to meet his unconventional mom and dad at their home.
At a time when questions about what constitutes a family have arisen and conservative backlash against same-sex marriage has caused some states to outlaw it, La Cage Aux Follies seems more relevant than ever. And though the serious subject of homophobia is one of its underlying themes, it is still primarily an entertaining, farcical love story.
Starring as Georges in this production, directed by Terry Johnson, is Hollywood leading man George Hamilton, with Christopher Sieber as Albin.
Hamilton, sans his trademark deep-dark tan, gave an adequate though tepid performance as Georges. Able to carry a tune but unable to sustain notes, he mostly spoke his songs, a la Rex Harrison. Primarily a film actor, Hamilton appeared previously on Broadway as Billy Flynn in Chicago but here didn’t show all that much stage presence.
And though the argument can be made that his characterization of Georges (as the “straight”-acting one in the couple) was purposely non-stereotypical, for such a broad comedy, Hamilton didn’t exhibit any campy behavior at all. Finally, Hamilton’s characterization was such that chemistry between his Georges and Albin was lukewarm at best.
Siebert, on the other hand, infused Albin with not only over-the top gay mannerisms but made him even more colorful with his macho-asides. Masterful at physical comedy and prone to shameless mugging for the audience, particularly in Masculinity, Siebert was nevertheless very effective at capturing both Zaza’s showmanship and moxie and Albin’s vulnerability. Also demonstrating a powerful voice, Siebert, who is large in stature and therefore quite imposing on stage, was a phenomenon when he sang I Am What I Am, a show-stopping anthem to individuality and self-acceptance.
Jeigh Madjus as Albin’s mouthy maid Jacob had his moments but might have exhibited a bit more control while performing antics that after time became simply distracting rather than funny. In the end, less would have proven much better than more.
Bruce Winant as the right-wing politician and Jean-Michael’s potential father-in-law Mr. Dindon gave a pedestrian performance that also disappointed due to its lack of believability.
More successful were the performances of Gay Marshall as vivacious nightclub owner Jacqueline and Billy Harrigan Tighe, who played Georges’ and Albin’s loving yet misguided son Jean-Michael. Both performers exhibited high energy and had strong vocals.
The muscular men who played Les Cagelles, the nightclub chorus, were extraordinary in their athletic execution of Lynne Page’s demanding choreography and appealing as individual characters, all of whom reflected distinct individual personalities as hardened yet lovable drag queens.
The Best of Times, a song about living and loving in the moment, was performed near the end of Act 2 and again during the show’s finale. Responding with loud and affectionate cheers and applause, this sophisticated Chicago audience obviously more than embraced the show’s message about love and tolerance and its celebration of difference.
It’s a message and an attitude that requires spoon-feeding for some, but what better vehicle, despite its shortcomings, than the glitzy, glamorous and fun La Cage Aux Folles to get the ball rolling?
For tickets and information, call the Broadway in Chicago ticket line at (800) 775-2000 or visit www.broadwayinchicago.com.
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