Theater
review: 'La Cage' entertains with unlikely
characters
Courtesy
of CPAC
Courtesy
of CPAC
By
Lauren Nelson
On-line Forty-Niner
"La
Cage Aux Folles," Musical Theatre
West's newest production opened at the
Carpenter Performing Arts Center this
weekend. "La Cage" is what happens
when you mix "Moulin Rouge"
with "Cabaret" and add a dash
of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
This
Tony Award winning musical is bustling
with leggy showgirls that really aren't
girls at all. Transvestites dance, fly
and swing across the stage, keeping audiences
cheering and entertained.
Going
back and forth from a sheik living room
to the ever-so-lively nightclub, the show
becomes a success with a progressing story
line entwined with vibrant characters
and a New Year's party ambiance.
This
not so conservative play may pose a challenge
for those who are uncomfortable with this
idea of love in an untraditional setting.
However,
"La Cage" fits in with the diverse
cultures that Long Beach encompasses,
especially the gay, lesbian and transgender
community. Opening the 51st season
for Musical Theatre West, "La Cage
Aux Folles" will shock audiences
who don't know whether to clap or to protest.
Not
only is "La Cage" like Vegas
gone overboard with can-can dancers, not-so-sexy
seductresses and glamorous madams, it
is really a work of art. Each actor brilliantly
plays their part so well, that the audiences
will be on the look out for any necessary
curve or shady patch to clue them in on
whether or not the actors are really male
or female, an odd suspense.
The
son of a French nightclub owner must introduce
his conservative future in-laws to his
own parents, including ZaZa, his father's
lover who happens to be the fairy of all
fairies, the fruitiest of fruits and celebrity
nightclub performer.
ZaZa
feels deeply hurt, so much that the audience
almost pities him. It is about their
struggle to overcome the prejudices that
separate the straight world from the queer.
The
music, produced by the live orchestra,
guides the audience through the different
emotional highs and lows in the production.
The song, "I am what I am,"
not only has different meanings from the
different people who perform the song,
but theatergoers will be singing it for
days after.
EVENTS
LISTING
What:
"La Cage Aux Folle"
When: Now through Nov.16
Where: Carpenter Performing Arts Center
6200 Atherton St., Long Beach, CA
Ticket Information: (562) 985-7000
