Musical comedy "La Cage Aux Folles' staged at UW-Stevens Point
10/21/2016
 

The winner of multiple Tony Awards, including best musical, the classic comedy "La Cage Aux Folles" will be staged by the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Nov. 4-6 and 9-12. 

Performances will be held in Jenkins Theatre in the Noel Fine Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4-5, and Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 9-12. A 2 p.m. matinee will be offered Sunday, Nov. 6. It is for audiences of high school age and older.

Based on a French farce, the musical version of "La Cage Aux Folles" first premiered on Broadway in 1984 and was revived in 2004 and 2010, with each production winning several Tony Awards. A 1996 movie version of the play, "The Birdcage," starred Robin Williams and Nathan Lane.

The story centers on club owner, Georges; his partner, Albin, who performs in the drag show at the club; and their recently engaged son, Jean-Michel. When Jean-Michel wants to bring his fiancé, Anne, and her very conservative parents to meet his own, a few questions arise as to how the two families will coexist.

"The show asks what is family, how do we define it, and whether we will accept or exclude others outside our own definition," said Assistant Professor Alan Patrick Kenny, the show's director. Both families in the show are closed minded about the other, he said, but through the challenges they face in the wacky plot, they get the opportunity to reconsider their views.

"Despite big issues in the story, 'La Cage' is an extremely fun, joyful and vibrant musical," said Kenny. The classic, timeless music was written by the same composer and lyricist as "Hello Dolly" and "Mame," he said. "It is toe-tapping and catchy, and is the engine that drives this magical show."

Several male student actors are performing in drag for the first time, Kenny said, and are taking it very seriously, from dancing in three-inch heels to taking on a new grooming regimen.

"All actors want to create a character distinct from themselves," he said. "Each person taking on a drag character has a different relationship and history with drag, but together they are diving into another world as they bring their characters to life."

Jenkins Theatre is being transformed into the "La Cage Aux Folles" nightclub, extending the stage into the orchestra pit and putting the band on the stage with the actors. Tables on the stage include 12 ticketed seats that can be purchased by audience members for each performance for an up close and personal experience with the performers.

Tickets are $22 for adults, $21 for seniors, $17 for youth and $4.50 for students with UW-Stevens Point ID. Tickets are available at the UW-Stevens Point Information and Tickets Office, located in the Dreyfus University Center concourse, by calling 715-346-4100 or at http://tickets.uwsp.edu.

 

Article Tags

COFAC; Vibrant