by Richard Pacheco
The Theatre
by the Sea ends its 80th season with a spectacular production of “La
Cage Aux Folles” marked by lavish costumes, spectacular choreography and
winning performances. The musical is the winner of multiple Tony Awards
including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, and twice named Best Revival. The scare was written by Jerry Herman who also
wrote “Hello Dolly,” “Mame,” “Mack and Mabel” and the book was written by
Harvey Fierstein who also wrote the current Broadway hit “Kinky Boots” as well
as “Newsies” and “Torch Song Trilogy.”
The story
revolves around Georges, who owns a glitzy, decadent nightclub in St. Tropez,
and his partner, Albin, who deftly moonlights as the ever glamorous chanteuse,
Zaza at the club. Trouble starts when Georges’ son Jean Michel brings home his
fiancée to meet his parents. Unfortunately her parents are prudes, in fact her
father is a political figure who crusades against the kinds of clubs that
Georges owns and his less than traditional life style. It tests the family
mettle and brings all to the verge of disaster and the threat of dire
consequences while they struggle to remain true to who they really are no
matter what happens.
Ii is s splendid cast, all 22 of
them. Peter Reardon is phenomenal as Georges, owner of La Cage and he fathered
a son from a one night stand with a woman years ago who left the son in his
care while she trotted off to indulge herself. Reardon is delightful in the
role as the more masculine partner, Georges. He is also the MC of the club and
handles it with style and finesse. As the MC and in his singing, he is elegant,
confidant and self assured. In his dealings with Albin, he is tentative,
sensitive and emotionally moving. The duet between Georges and Albin, “With You
on My Arm” is a delight, a tasty musical treat. When they team up again for the
reprise of “Song on the Sand” it is another wonderful treat. When he sings
“Look Over There,” it is touching and emotional.
Jonathan Hammond as Albin and Zaza
is winning. He can be funny or tender as the role requires with equal skill and
passion. His comic gestures an facial expressions are a gem. He is fully
capable of handling the more emotional moments with equal, dazzling skill. When
he sings “I Am What I Am” it is exceptionally moving, fully of confidence and
tenderness. It rivets your attention and proves painfully touching.
Zach Trimmer is Georges son, who
has been raised by Albin as his mother. Trimmer is solid in thr role and deftly
transforms from a somewhat self absorbed son who cares only for appearances
into a genuine caring child, full of love.
Jenna Nicole Schoen
plays Anne with skill and sincerity. Schoen and Trimmer make an
appealing and convincing romantic couple.
Nikko Kimzin is hysterical as the
bulter/maid Jacob. He is flamboyant and
funny, full of spunk.
Casey
Seymour Kim is wonderful as Jacqueline, a longtime friend of Georges and
Albin and owner of s chic restaurant. She demonstrates she was a wonderful
voice as well in “The Best of Times” with the rest of the company.
Tom Gleadow
as Edouard Dindon and Leah Jennings as Mme. Dindon., Anne’s puritanical
parents, are a sheer delight. He is grand as the stuffy moralist who despises
all things beyond the so called “normal” family life style. There is a very
funny song the parents have with Georges, Albin and song ad daughter called,
“Cocktail Counterpoint” as they sing with vigor and keep passing around some
plates that obviously have sexual scenes on them. It is sheer comic pleasure.
The entire cast of Cagelles are
winning. They are magnificent dancers and handle the complex choreography with
spunk, style and finesse, making it shine incredibly. The dancer numbers are
magnificent. The Cagelles include Arnie Rodriguez, Alex Smith, Demetrius K.
Shields., Brett Hahalyak, Milly Boyce, Jacob Paulson, Becca Gotlieb, andThomas
Blake Hogan and they are tremendous dancers, all of them. They are spirited and
hilarious.
Among the standouts of the Cagelles
are Demetrius Shields at the dominatrix, Hanna.. He is hysterical in the role
with great flair and comic timing. Kevin Patrick Martin plays Francis, the
beaten up stage manager in the nightclub who dates the whip wielding Hanna and
ends up injured for that attraction, constantly
One of the funniest moments occur
when the ever proper and prudish Dindons get trapped by reporters and must exit
through La Cage dressed. in their costumes. Gleadow is a comic riot dressed as a Cagelle.
Director Charles Repole blocks the
show magnificently, keeping everything clear, fresh and poised. He evokes the
most from his actors and delivers an emotional impact as well as sheer laughs
with equal finesse.
The musical direction by Ben Kraus
who also plays keyboard with the orchestra is fabulous, clean, neat and impressive.
The choreography by Michael
Lichtfield is simply dazzling and spectacular. The dance numbers are vivid and
full of impish and sexy skill. They are irresistible and appealing, full of
sheer style and sass. The choreography alone is worth seeing.
The set by Bert Scott is lovely and
effective. The costumes by Marcia Zamarelli is exquisite, at once lavish and
stunning.
This is a
do not miss show with stunning dancing, singing, performances and
costumes. It is lavish and lovely on all
count.
"La Cage
aux Folles" (14 August 1 September)
@ 364
Cards Pond Road, MATUNUCK RI
1(401)782-8587
