“La Cage Aux Folles” at Theatre by the Sea

by Richard Pacheco

            The Theatre by the Sea ends its 80^th 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)

THEATRE BY THE SEA

@ 364 Cards Pond Road, MATUNUCK RI

1(401)782-8587