A Combination That Works Like a Charm: 2024 La Cage Aux Folles Stratford Review

     

Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein’s Tony Award-winning 1983 musical, La Cage Aux Folles gets a dazzling facelift from director, Thom Allison for this year’s performance at Stratford Festival’s, Avon Theatre. 

Adapted from the novel by Jean Poiret, La Cage Aux Folles tells the story of life partners, Georges (Sean Arbuckle), and Albin/Zaza (Steve Ross) who run a drag nightclub in St. Tropez and you know, enjoy their morning cup of coffee and do laundry, like most couples do.  

However, a surprise visit turns their lives get flipped upside down, or rather put temporarily in the closet, when Georges’ son, Jean-Michel (Kevin “Koovy” Mclachlan – for this performance), announces that he’s getting married to the daughter of a conservative politician Edouard Dindon (Juan Chioran). Consequences unfold when playing it “straight” but in the most surprising way.   

Highlights:

👉The dance numbers were incredible to watch from Choreographer, Cameron Carver. Shout-out to the entire Les Cagelles dancers especially how many times they did the splits!

👉Chris Vergara as Jacob, Albin’s butler, was an immediate show-stealer. Full of sparkle and sass = plus brilliant physical comedy!

👉All the costume designs by David Boechler were fantastic, especially the carefully curated assortment of Zaza’s (Ross) glittery gowns with help from drag consultant Justin Miller. Oh and what human could be complete without beautiful touches from makeup designer, Dino Dillo.

👉🎶Music... Going in with only knowing one song, the iconic “I Am What I Am” which I fondly recall Respect’s Definitive Mix version, featuring Hanna Jones, from my earlier years, watching the ground-breaking series, Queer as Folk.  

This version of the song had a different feel, as the audience was glued to the stage watching Steve Ross’ vulnerable performance and hearing his outstanding vocals. Another reminder of his range of talents stepping onto the Stratford stage, in every role embraced, high-heels or not. 

👉A close second favourite was Song on the Sand – a musical joy of lyrics and nostalgic emotions that remind us of the simple pleasures of falling and being in love.                                                                                         

La Cage Aux Folles is full of humour (take note, it gets a little naughty!) yet holds pivotal sentimental moments that will make you wonder why we’re still living in a world that is so divided outside the stage.                                    

 I hope we can take a step back and begin to look at things from a different angle.

💜Grab your tickets! Official website: https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/

A few moments with my husband Bill, enjoying our time in Stratford, Ontario.

Fantasy is Alive In Stratford’s The Neverending Story

Photo by Emily Cooper

Stratford is known for its world-class theatre and every year the lineup is different, so there is something for all ages to enjoy. Going on our honeymoon after celebrating an 80’s inspired wedding was perfect because of two very special shows at the theatre this year; The Neverending Story (1984 release) and Little Shop of Horrors (1986 release). Let’s look at The Neverending Story in this review.

If you were born in the 80’s, The Neverending Story probably holds a special place in your heart. Maybe it was your connection to Artax the Horse or the sweetness of Falcor the Luck Dragon. Perhaps it was even the empathy felt for Bastian losing his mother at a very young age and only left with fleeting memories.

It was quite interesting to see this production and to learn about the lengthy time it took to bring a tale like this to life on stage. The story highlights the innocence, bravery and imagination that lies in each one of us. There was a fantastical feel from the set design, especially with the creative puppetry undertaken by so many talented people.  Also the music was incredible and fit the whole mood and style that I think Franklin Brasz, the Director of Music was trying to convey from the original music by Hawksley Workman.

The gnomes Urgl and Engywook surprisingly stood out for me the most. They reminded me in a lot of ways of Miracle Max and his wife, Valerie, from The Princess Bride.  Maybe it was the banter back and forth or just that underlying love they had for each other.  I also thought the scene of Bastian running from his school bullies was thrilling, from the lighting to the puppetry of car lights in action.

My criticisms are few, but I would have liked a bit more from The Childlike Empress played by Mamie Zwettler. I felt she was a bit of an afterthought.  Also there is a lot of times where the emotion doesn’t quite capture the moment and then it is rushed off to a completely different scene. I think the pacing could have been focused on more.

Overall, the visual nature of the play was wonderful.  The details that weren’t present in the movie version (like the talking, wisdom-filled Artax the horse) added another level to the fantastical experience that I believe will continue to evolve for generations to come and the beauty of knowing that our imagination is limitless when we tell our own Neverending Story.

The Neverending Story runs in The Stratford Festival’s Avon Theatre until Nov. 3. For more visit: www.stratfordfestival.ca

You can also check out my review at 519 Windsor

A Botanical Nightmare of Joy in Stratford Festival’s Little Shop of Horrors

Photo by: Cylla von Tiedemann

Stratford is known for its world-class theatre and every year the lineup is different, so there is something for all ages to enjoy. Going on our honeymoon after celebrating an 80’s inspired wedding was perfect because of two very special shows at the theatre this year; The Neverending Story (1984 release) and Little Shop of Horrors (1986 release). Let’s look at Little Shop of Horrors in this review.

When you grow up with nothing and people treat you like nothing, how can you thrive, especially when you’re downtown on skid row? For Seymour, an orphan taken in by a demanding and demeaning shop owner, you get that lucky break, a fortunate opportunity lands in your lap where you are the talk of the town and everyone suddenly loves you because you have something that they want.  In this case, a rather “strange and unusual” looking plant named Audrey II pops up. It’s sweet and inviting at first, but an evil lurks that you can’t quite put your finger on.

Desperation, abandonment, greed, hope and of course, the need to be loved are are themes that are explored in this musical-style performance.  A side note, you can really feel like the heart-ache from Audrey, played by Gabi Epstein. It’s subtle at times, but for anyone who has battled with breaking away from cycle of domestic violence, tears may shed when she sings “Somewhere that’s Green.” Do not despair though, knowing that wholesome and loving men like Seymour exist in the world can bring a smile to your face.

There were so many stellar performances all around in this production, like Seymour, played by Andre Morin. Then there is the sadistic dentist, played by Dan Chameroy. He was absolutely brilliant and exhausting to watch on stage with his boundless energy! You may remember him last year at Stratford, as the eccentric Dr Franken-Furter in Rocky Horror Picture Show. This man is multi-talented! A special nod to the incredible singers; Vanessa Sears, Starr Domingue and Camille Eanga-Selenge, who put the extra harmonizing doo-wop shoo-bop in the musical.  Also, who could forget the grocer, played by Jordan Mah. What a hoot, he really added a ton of comic relief. Lastly, the toothy, green-leafed star, Audrey II, voiced by Matthew G. Brown! The intricate details were incredible, growing from a tiny plant to a massive one before your eyes. The multiple puppeteers on each one were great.

If you have seen the film, you’ll notice some differences in this live version, which I think were well thought-out and really heightened the dramatic feel of the musical in itself. Also, it’s a heads or tails on the ending, but the message from the moment the curtain rises up until the final scene is crystal clear, don’t feed the plant!

Little Shop of Horrors has been extended to Nov. 9, 2019 at The Stratford Festival’s Avon Theatre. For more information, visit www.stratfordfestival.ca

You can also check out my review at 519 Windsor