Last Sunday I went to see George Hamilton and Chris Sieber star in one of my favorite shows, La Cage Aux Folles. Although I loved the choreography, singing and dancing in other versions that I’ve seen, this cast fell short in soo many ways.
La Cage Aux Folles brought us amazing songs like Put a Little More Mascara On, I am What I am and The Best of Times. Unfortunately this cast could not pull off a single one of them. The Best of Times was flat, nobody sang out or really hit a solid note to make you smile or want to cry with I am What I am. The tap dancing you expect with the show basically didn’t exist and the actors couldn’t pull you in. It was the very first show I have ever seen that did not get a full standing ovation at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.
George Hamilton is a bit older, probably to old for the part, but he did do an ok job. It wasn’t the best performance, mainly because he reminded me of Bob Barker hosting The Price is Right instead of a drag queen nightclub owner dating a star. I have seen and heard much better performances from Chris Sieber before which is why I was shocked to see such a bad show from him. I was hoping that at least he could take it up a few levels and make the show amazing. Unfortunately neither of them could pull it off. Luckily for them, there were two characters who stole the show. Jacqueline who was played by the fabulous Gay Marshall and Jacob the Butler/Maid played by Jeigh Madjus.
Jacqueline and Jacob stole the show. They both had more than enough presence to take a show that people would have walked out of and bring in comedy, life and entertainment. The two of them lit up the stage and got everyone smiling and laughing. They are the only reasons that a few people had stood up and were the only two characters that people were loving after the show was over. I hate giving bad reviews because I know how hard the actors work, but if you are going to see the tour of La Cage Aux Folles, save your money if there is something better to do. It isn’t the worst show I have ever seen, but it isn’t one I would recommend spending more than $40 on for good seats.
If they would bring in new choreography, better singers and actors for Albin/Zsa Zsa and Georges as well as add some life back into the show, it would be a hit. I give the touring cast of La Cage Aux Folles 2 out of 5 stars because I just didn’t fall in love with it. It may have been an off night, but after talking to people who had seen other performances with this cast, they all said the same things. Jacqueline and Jacob saved the show from getting 1 or no stars at all.
Here is the original broadway revival cast singing The Best of Times from La Cage Aux Folles.
