La Cage aux Folles at The Kennedy Center

There is at least one reason you need to run and see the national touring production of the Tony Award-winning musical, La Cage aux Folles, now in performances at the Kennedy Center: Christopher Sieber.  His performance as Albin (aka drag queen Zaza) is every bit as fabulous as the dresses Zaza wears. He infuses his character with deep humanity while singing the shows big anthems (“I Am What I Am,” “The Best of Times,” and the title song) with perfectly measured dramatic flair.

La Cage Aux Folles, with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Harvey Fierstein,  is the only musical that has had two revival productions that each won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical (both in 2005, and most recently in 2010), while the original production also won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1984. The latest revival originated at the famed Menier Chocolate Factory in London and had great success in London’s West End and on Broadway. While it is a more scaled-down version (e.g., smaller orchestra and set), the current revival production directed with utmost precision by Tony Award-winning Terry Johnson does not feel lacking in glitz and glamour, while it manages to achieve a higher level of intimacy.

The show centers around the Georges and Albin, a loving and contentious gay couple that run a drag nightclub, La Cage aux Folles (“Birdcage” in French, hence the film of that name), on the French Riviera and have raised a son together, Jean-Michel.  When a 24 year-old Jean-Michel arrives home to announce his engagement to, Anne Dindon, the daughter of the head of the TFM (Tradition, Family and Morality) party and the upcoming visit of her parents, the betrayal, drama, and hysterical antics ensue.

I found it interesting that Sieber played the more subdued role of Georges in the recent Broadway revival of the show instead of Albin.  That only bolsters my admiration for this talented man. As Zaza, Sieber really gets to show off his abundant comedic and musical talent, and we in Washington are lucky to be able to see him in this star-making role.

But Mr. Sieber is not the only reason to see this delightful and colorful production.   The whole cast is solid.  George Hamilton, best known for his campy film roles such as Love at First Bite, may not be a great a singer. His voice is serviceable, which could have brought down the show, but what he lacks in vocal chops, he makes up in spades of charm and he does a very nice job with the touching ballad, “Look Over There.”  He is very likable as Georges and shares some amazing chemistry with Sieber, notwithstanding their noticeable yet easily dismissive age difference.

Jeigh Madjus is also delightful as butler/maid/aspiring showgirl Jacob. His involvement in the Georges/Albin/Jean-Michel family drama is absolutely hysterical.   Billy Harrigan Tighe also does well as Jean-Michel and belts out “With Anne on My Arm” beautifully.  Allison Blair McDowell is a lovely Anne who makes you understand why Jean-Michel fell in love with her character. Bruce Winant and Cathy Newman have you in stitches as Anne’s parents, the Dindons, and they are especially fun to watch in the finale. Gay Marshall is also very likable as Jacqueline.

But the other real stars of the show are the six performers playing Les Cagelles, the performers at La Cage Aux Folles. All of them are amazing dancers with extraordinary flexibility performing the challenging and spectacular choreography by Lynne Page. Les Cagelles also sing wonderfully on the show’s hugely entertaining opening number, “We Are What I Are,” the title song with Sieber and on the truly uproarious finale. They are the gorgeous birds of paradise they purport to be that blossom when let out of their metaphorical cage.

The sets by Tim Shirtall cleverly alternate between the nightclub and Georges and Albin’s apartment and Jacqueline’s restaurant. The transformation of the flamboyant apartment for the Dindon’s visit is tremendous.  The award-winning costumes by Matthew Wright are spectacular. The lighting by Nick Richings and Sound Design by Jonathan Deans enhance the top-notch production. The orchestra under the musical direction of Joey Chancy plays their hearts out and overcomes the challenge of their smaller size and makes Jerry Herman’s delightful score soar.

La Cage is a timely musical about having the courage to be proud of whom you are. Before the show, the audience was entertained by one of the lovely drag queens from the production, who reminded the audience that the struggle for equality continues as Maryland considers legalizing gay marriage. La Cage beautifully reminds of how families should be allowed to love and live in all forms, and let their luminous colors be shown and glorious anthems be sung as they are in this exuberant production at the Kennedy Center.

Running time is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes with one intermission.

La Cage aux Folles plays through February 12, 2012, in the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater – 2700 F St NW, Washington, D.C. For tickets call (202) 467-4600, or purchase them online.