La Cage Aux Folles - Menier Chocolate Factory
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
TERRY Johnson will direct a new production of Jerry Herman’s 1983 musical comedy, La Cage Aux Folles, at the Menier Chocolate Factory – from December 3, 2007 (previews from November 23) to March 8, 2008.
Based on the 1973 French play by Jean Poiret and the subsequent 1978 French-Italian screen adaptation, La Cage Aux Folles tells the story of Albin and Georges, two middle-aged homosexual lovers who run a transvestite nightclub in St. Tropez.
The plot revolves primarily around the complications that develop when Georges’ son announces that he is getting married – to the daughter of a local morals crusader! Songs include A Little More Mascara, I Am What I Am, Song on the Sand, Masculinity, The Best of Times and the title number.
La Cage Aux Folles has a book by Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song Trilogy) and music and lyrics by Herman whose other credits include Mame, Hello Dolly and Mack and Mabel.
La Cage Aux Folles premiered on Broadway in 1983, ran for more than 1,500 performances and won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Original Score. It was less successful in London where, in 1986 at a time when AIDS first made headlines, it ran for just six months at the London Palladium.
Playwright/director Johnson’s recent credits include Whipping It Up and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, as well as his own plays Piano/Forte and Hitchcock Blonde.
La Cage Aux Folles is designed by David Farley who won Olivier, Critics’ Circle and Evening Standard Awards for Best Design for the Menier Chocolate Factory’s revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George.
The production will be choreographed by Lynne Page who worked with Farley on the Menier’s 2006 Christmas revival of a Broadway musical, Little Shop of Horrors, which subsequently transferred to the West End where it completes its run on September 8, 2007 (prior to a national tour).
La Cage Aux Folles is being presented by David Babani for Chocolate Factory Productions. The shows lighting designer is David Howe, musical supervisor Gareth Valentine and musical director Nigel Lilley.
Take Flight is currently playing at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
b>Read more
An evening celebrating the life and work of Jerry Herman will take place at the Prince Edward Theatre on September 23, 2007.
b>Read more