The hit French film, “La Cage aux Folles” has been around for 53 years, and Jerry Herman’s Broadway blockbuster musical adaptation opened 43 years ago. This gay-themed play about family values, self-righteous moralistic political blowhards, and fabulous drag queens predates AIDS and by today’s standards for queer theater can be seen as almost charmingly quaint.
Theatre Rhinoceros, by shrinking this Broadway extravaganza into its tiny venue on 18th St. in the Castro and embracing non-traditional casting choices, has managed to thoroughly queer this chestnut for contemporary audiences with very happy results. This is not your elderly gay uncle’s “La Cage aux Folles.” It manages to be as queer as all get out (like that pun?) even by 21st century standards.
While it lacks Broadway pizazz and polish, it has heart to spare. Let’s face it: you can’t produce Broadway choreography in a theatre that seats less than 30 audience members and has the tiny orchestra performing in the corner snack bar. A few notes (well, quite a few notes) aren’t quite hit, but who cares? The celebration of life shines through, and, indeed, for this perky production of “La Cage” the best of times is, indeed, right now.
That tiny orchestra, by the way, does big work under the baton of the always astonishing Armando Fox, whose expertise is immense. They produce a big, rhythmically exciting sound that rocks the house.
As the fabulous Zaza (aka Albin), Christopher Juan is a scream. Most importantly, Juan manages to bring the necessary emotional heft when delivering the show’s famous gay anthem, “I Am What I Am.” He gets it right where it counts the most.
John Mannion, whom the program describes as a retired advertising executive and full time theatre hobbyist, is no amateur, hobbyist or not. Followers of Bay Area musical theatre are well aware of the string of excellent performances he has delivered in recent seasons, and his performance as Georges is no exception. Mannion is a low key performer who is a master at underplaying. There is nothing false in his acting. His emotional connection with his fellow actors is always crystal clear. If you are like me, he will sneak up on you and move you to tears when you didn’t even realize it was coming.
As the pompous politician Dindon and his wife, Mark J. Enea and Sidney McNulty know how to play for laughs.
The supporting chorus of drag queens bring great enthusiasm to the shenanigans.
Most memorable is Landyn Endo as Jean-Michel. He is described in the program as a trans and masculine-of-center acrobat who sings and dances and he is in every way unusual. Dripping with rizz, Endo is an unconventional romantic lead who could win over the most resistant audience. If you don’t fall just a little bit in love with this highly original performer, you’re probably not paying him enough attention. His career is worth watching. You’ll be hearing about him for a long time. As Jean-Michel’s fiance, Anne, Akhila Narayanan is quite lovely.
This is not polished high end theatre. It’s rough and ready, very scrappy, loose around the edges, and altogether enchanting.
I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Pride month than a visit to Theatre Rhinoceros for “La Cage aux Folles.” It’s great fun.
“La Cage aux Folles” plays an extended run at Theatre Rhinoceros through June 14. For further information, click here.
Rating: *** (For an explanation of TheatreStorm’s rating system, click here.)
“La Cage aux Folles.” Book by Harvey Fierstein. Music & Lyrics by Jerry Herman. Based on the play “La Cage aux Folles” by Jean Poiret. Produced by: John Fisher, Crystal Liu, and Brian Sauls for Theatre Rhinoceros. Co-Directors: Crystal Liu and John Fisher. Choreographer: Aaron Simunovich. Musical Direction: Armando Fox. Scenic Design & Build: Aaron Simunovich, Christina Linskey. Costume Design: Bonita Rose. Lighting Design: Colin Johnson. Props Design: Crystal Liu. Intimacy Director: Bessie Zolno. Drag & Wigs Consultant: Bobby Friday. Masks: Jonathan Becker.
Cast:
Jacqueline/Hanna: Chloë Angst. Jean-Michel: Landyn Endo. Dindon/Francis, u/s Georges, Albin: Mark J. Enea. Albin/Zaza: Christopher Juan (aka Chi-Chi Kago). Georges: John Mannion. Marie/Mme. Renaud/Phaedra: Sidney McNulty. Anne/Chantal: Akhila Narayanan. Jacob: SNJV.
Musicians:
Piano/Melodica/Conductor: Armando Fox. Drums: Tim Vaughan. Bass: Anastasia Preston, Jacob Neves.
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