La Cage Aux Folles

The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center’s theatre company, The REP, adds its own sparkle to the New Year with the glitzy, sentimental extravaganza, La Cage Aux Folles. Performances will be held at 8 pm Fri and Sat, and 2 pm Sun, Thru Mar 5. Based on the French film by the same name (later adapted by Hollywood as Robin Williams' hit movie, The Bird Cage), this endearing take on family life, however unconventional, is considered by many to be composer Jerry Herman's finest musical score. The Broadway icon, paired with author Harvey Fierstein, delivers a fast-paced, roaringly funny but heartfelt lollapalooza about family and love.

This landmark production, which coincides with the Fine Arts Center's 70th Anniversary, is possibly The REP’s largest undertaking since its inauguration nearly 20 years ago. "It's very exiting to see a show like this in Colorado Springs. With The REP, Sandra Bray is making incredible strides toward her vision for the arts in the Pikes Peak area, and for La Cage, the time is right!” says director Neil David Seibel. An accomplished director and actor currently based in the Denver area, Seibel brings a fresh point of view and cosmopolitan flair to the project. "La Cage is a great show with a great heart...and it's very exciting to be doing this with The REP. This company is growing and maturing into a true professional theatre company. It's terrific to see this blend of union and non-union actors and technicians working together not only on this show, but working toward a greater purpose, and that's establishing this new direction for The REP. It's a great company, with a great theatre and the drive to achieve their mutual goals. These are great people to work with, and I'm honored to be a part of it."

The story takes place in and above the famous "La Cage aux Folles" nightclub in St. Tropez, where the club's host and owner Georges shares a flamboyant, happy life with his talented, though occasionally overly-dramatic, partner Albin. While Georges serves as host to the extremely popular nightly shows, Albin stars as "ZaZa, Queen Extraordinaire." All is rhinestone-encrusted bliss until Georges’s son arrives, announcing his impending marriage to the daughter of an unbendingly conservative politician. Feathers fly as the couple hilariously attempts to "play it straight" for a meeting with the in-laws to be.

Bringing a musical as bold and lush as La Cage to the stage holds a host of unique and somewhat unusual requirements for The REP, particularly for its mostly male chorus, who are transformed each night into the lovely "cagelles." Despite the acting challenges involved, the chorus "girls" have skillfully adapted to the task of performing with grace and dignity while bedazzled with sequins and feathers, gravity defying wigs and extravagant makeup, all delicately balanced upon possibly the highest pairs of heels Colorado Springs has ever seen.

“Creating theatre is a risky process by nature, and producing shows with an edge takes a lot of strength as well as passion. The REP, along with the Fine Arts Center, is establishing its place as a vital, dynamic force that Colorado Springs should be proud of," says Kenneth Thompson III, Production Coordinator.

La Cage aux Folles has proudly achieved one of the largest and broadest fan bases in the world – the appeal of Herman's wonderful music and Fierstein's unwavering wit seems to lose no luster in any translation. But perhaps the greatest triumph of La Cage is the delicate mix of heart with a generous helping of glitter, which makes this conventional love story in an unconventional setting a delightful treat the whole family can enjoy.

The REP invites you to "live and love as hard as you know how... and make this moment last, because the best of times is now!" For tickets and information, call 719.634.5583 or visit www.csfineartscenter.org

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