By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES presented by The Carnegie through August 23rd. I attended the Opening Saturday matinee performance.
Kevin Kelly and Josh Walden. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
The Carnegie is taking audiences to beautiful Saint-Tropez this August through its production of La Cage aux Folles with Book by Harvey Fierstein and Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman. La Cage is described as a “dazzling celebration of family, love, and unapologetic fabulousness”.
Director Rachel Stevens along with Music Director Jacob Priddy and Choreographer Josh Walden have assembled a strong and talented group of performers to spin the once ahead-of-its-time tale. Ms. Stevens use of space along with Mx. Walden’s smart assembly of dancers and movers is smart and never static. Scenic Design by Tyler Gabbard is of course impressive as his creative use of the canvas The Carnegie offers is second to none. Costume Design by John Faas is appropriately sparkly and loud while still keeping in mind those characters who should be loud in a different way. Drag Wig and Makeup Design by local drag artist Kora Sline unsurprisingly possesses wonderful attention to detail and realism (yes, there is realism in good drag, my friends).
It may seem like cheating to sing the praises of the two lead artists, but said praises are well-deserved. And make no mistake: the ensemble which surrounds them doesn’t have a shrinking violet anywhere amongst it! Kevin Kelly tackles the role of Georges, the owner and emcee of the titular club. Mr. Kelly talents include a lovely singing voice, a fundamentally likable demeanour, and an innate professionalism every moment he is present. Scenes with him feel very much like we are a proverbial fly on the way of a real person’s actual experiences.
Matching wits with Mr. Kelly at every swish is Josh Walden as Albin. The role of Albin can be a caricature in the wrong hands, but luckily Mx. Walden’s hands are the right one for the task. They are charismatic, sympathetic, outlandish, and – ultimately – human. Mx. Walden is a true artiste who can hold their own both solo and with scene partners. With exception of a very appropriate cry, I found myself smiling each time Albin took the stage.
While I acknowledge and respect how ground-breaking this musical once was, truth be told it has become rather dated. There are certainly moving moments and notable numbers, but it’s not a terribly dynamic show. However, I do believe it is worth the time to see it live, on stage, at least once in your life and The Carnegie’s presentation is top-notch. A reminder that queer people have always existed and will continue to exist never hurt anybody – especially when, queer or not, we have all felt the need to hide certain parts of ourselves at one time or another. I’ll take a musical which celebrates raw, honest-to-goodness existence without apology any day of the week.
Click here for more information about the production.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 