Theatre Talk

Elizabeth Youngman-Westphal

Special to The Village News

Hold onto your garters, cuz “La Cage Aux Folles” is here! It is a smash hit! Opening in Old Town San Diego - “La Cage” is the best show so far this year!

Written by Harvey Fierstein with music by Jerry Herman, the movie version called “The Birdcage” with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, cannot hold a candle to the real-life play!

In case you live in a cave, “La Cage” is about a homosexual couple living along the French Riviera. They own a drag club and like many small-business owners live upstairs.  Georges and the club’s star, Albin, known as Zaza on the billing, have been together for over 20 years.

The old saying about the chickens coming home to roost is true for Georges. Before starting his life with Albin (Zaza), Georges spent one night with a long-legged showgirl. Thinking “why not see what all the excitement is about?” The consequence was a son, Jean Michel.

Never questioning his stable home life, 20-year-old Jean Michel (Jake Bradford) grew up a happy and well-adjusted young man. Bradford is the all-around kid with just enough selfish self-centered swag to be believable.

The real chaos begins when Jean Michel announces his upcoming marriage. Complicating the fact his bride is a young lady, her conservative parents will arrive the next day to meet their future in-laws.

Starring David McBean as Albin, he is the embodiment of a devoted mother and wife. When he transforms into Zaza, the star of the downstairs review, she transforms into a raging diva with all the drama, drama, drama.

David McBean finds the heart in both characters and owns them equally with unflinching commitment. McBean is this season’s best chanteuse.

A familiar face all around San Diego is Lance Arthur Smith who plays the devoted husband and father, Georges. Smith balances the two sides of his family with flair and charm. Always seeing the brighter side, he keeps the balls in the air with aplomb.

Meanwhile, Allen Lucky Weaver plays the outrageous houseboy/maid/butler and the most eccentric wanna-be starlet imaginable.

The in-laws arrive. Leading the trio is Monsieur Dindon (John Rosen), his wife Madam Dindon (Barbara Schoenhofer), and their daughter the newly affianced Anne (Megan McCarthy).

Rosen clearly owns his scenes as the swarthy self-important father of the bride and condescending husband. On the other hand, Schoenhofer is ditsy enough not to notice. Living up to her blondness, she is a picture of kindness.

Anne’s in love and Megan McCarthy wears it like a coat. She is the epitome of sweetness and privilege as the lovely bride.

Rounding out the cast is Francis (Berto Fernandez), Renaud (Brandon Kallen), Shirley Johnston as Jacqueline, and Melissa Fernandes as yet another Jacqueline.

While mayhem continues upstairs, “the show must go on '' downstairs in the Club. Exquisitely costumed by in-house designer Jennifer Brawn Gittings and assistant Brooke Kessler, the “cagelle” can-can across the stage with sass. High-kicker Domo D’Dante, leads the charge with Christian Duarte, Siri Hafso, Dante Macatantan, and Steven Duncan right in step.

This production is dazzling eye candy. Sean Fanning imagined the sexy sets, lit by resident lighting designer Chris Rynne and assistant Ashley Bietz; they all work their magic brilliantly.

Resident sound designer Matt Lescault-Wood had the biggest backstage crew needing assistance from Steward Black and Hailey Brown. Odd how sound is not even noticed when it is done to perfection.

Naturally in a show like “La Cage” lots of makeup and wigs come into play and resident artist Peter Herman proved his skill with flair.

Choreographer and associate director Luke Harvey Jacobs and his assistant Katie Banville along with dance captain Siri Hafso created an endless string of spectacular production numbers.

Leading his hidden band of terrific musicians is resident artist, in-house conductor, Terry O’Donnell on keyboards with Mackenzie Leighton on bass, Nathan Hubbard on percussions, Patrick Marion plays second keyboards, Amy Kalal is on woodwinds, with Bob Worthington on trumpet.

Lastly, but certainly not forgotten is the Cygnet founder and director of this superb production Sean Murray. “La Cage aux Folles” is like a French pastry. It requires a delicate hand and a certain insouciance to make it believable. Every piece was splendidly shaped to create this year’s best show. Bravo to this terrific cast and staff.

“La Cage Aux Folles” is already in its first extension playing until Nov. 7 at The Cygnet Theatre in Old Town San Diego. While parking can be a hiccup…it is worth the effort. This campy production is filled with feathers, beads and sequins, but more than anything it is filled with heart.

Tickets are available by reaching out to the box office: (619) 337-1525 from noon to 6 p.m. or select your seat by going to the website at http://www.cygnet theatre.org. “La Cage Aux Folles” is rated 10+.

North Coast Repertory is still onstage with “Dancing Lessons” until Oct. 10. Box office (858) 481-1181 or http://www.northcoastrep.org.

San Diego Musical Theatre is opening the season with the highly awarded show “Rent” at their new location. For details visit SDMT.org or (858) 560-5740.

Broadway San Diego opens with “Hairspray” Nov. 14 followed by “My Fair Lady” Nov. 30. Alton Brown the TV chef is playing at the Balboa Theater Nov. 14. For now, all tickets are online. For help visit: [email protected].

Diversionary Theatre opened with “One in Two” and will run until the 24th of October. For tickets visit diversionarytheatre.org or leave a message at (619) 220-0097.

I am taking my granddaughter to Moonlight Stage’s Youth Theatre production of “The Wizard of Oz.”   Tickets at moonlightstage.com or (760) 724-2110.

Down at Balboa Park the Old Globe is running “Garden of Anuncia” until Oct. 1. Followed by Shakespeare’s “Henry V, Part 1” Nov. 12 – 19. (619) 234.5623 http://www.theoldglobe.org.

New Village Arts in Carlsbad is doing a tribute to Joni Mitchell Oct. 1. Online at newvillagearts.org or call (760)433-3245.

San Diego’s International Film Festival starts Oct. 14 and runs for 10 days. Get details using your internet search bar.

Elizabeth Youngman-Westphal can be reached at [email protected].