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Two leads ensure 'La Cage' is a treat
By Jay Handelman, Sarasota Herlad-Tribune

Mixing dress-up and domesticity in the Golden Apple's La Cage aux Folles By Kay Kipling, Sarasota Magazine

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Two leads ensure 'La Cage' is a treat
Susan L. Rife, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
View Article at http://www.heraldtribune.com

Excellent casting by director Dewayne Barrett of the two principal characters in the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre's production of "La Cage aux Folles" (The Bird Cage) elevates what might otherwise be a fairly ordinary show into a musical truly worth seeing.

THEATER REVIEW"La Cage aux Folles." Music and lyrics by Jerry Herman. Book and
lyrics by Harvey Fierstein. Directed and choreographed by Dewayne Barrett.
Musical direction by John Visser. Reviewed Nov. 28 at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre, 25 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. Through Jan. 18. 366-5454.

Brian Minyard stars as Georges, a French nightclub owner who faces a dilemma when his son announces he's engaged to the daughter of a straight-laced government official. Georges' problem is that his nightclub's star, and his life partner, is a female impersonator, and the nightclub's performers are drag queens. When Jean-Michel brings Anne and her parents to meet his outrageous family, questions of love and loyalty emerge.

The show gets off to a lavish start with a production number by Les Cagelles (four men and two women as feather-bedecked showgirls) singing "We Are What We Are," which on opening night seemed a shade lacking in vivacity. The arrival of Christopher Swan as Albin, Georges' transvestite partner of 20 years, ratchets the elegance and energy up several notches; "A Little More Mascara" gives Swan the length of a single song to put on his face and gown and step into the spotlight.

Swan, who most recently starred in "Funny Girl" at the Golden Apple, is nothing short of terrific as Albin, who has been a mother figure to Jean-Michel since the young man was a little boy. The hurt on his face as he realizes that Jean-Michel values his future in-laws' regard more than their lifelong familial relationship is genuine.

The challenge to the relationship between Georges and Albin is equally palpable, as the two men move seamlessly from companionable partnership to being uncomfortably at odds. Georges plays the straight man, so to speak, to Albin's sashaying effeminacy, as the two recall when they fell in love in "With You on My Arm."

Minyard, whose past shows at the Golden Apple include "Johnny Guitar," "Carnival," "Urinetown" and "Bingo, the Musical," brings a wonderful sense of ease to the role of Georges, a man caught between his partner and his child. He sings beautifully, especially "Song on the Sand," both solo and with Swan.

But Swan's Albin is the one to watch. He's as comfortable as Zaza, nightclub star in feather boas and sequined gowns, as he is as dapper Albin, all white suits, soft shoes and elegant scarves. His ultimate solution to the bind Jean-Michel has put him and Georges in almost works.

Craig Weiskerger is charming, and in strong voice on "With Anne on My Arm," as the callow Jean-Michel who ultimately realizes the error of his ways.

Keone Dent is a hoot as Georges and Albin's maid/valet/manservant, especially when he tricks himself out in 18th-century wig and brocaded knickers for the arrival of Anne and her parents (Kathryn Ohrenstein, Roy Johns and Sharon Lesley), then shows his true colors as the Dindons realize the truth about Jean-Michel's parents.

"Les Cagelles" (Berry Ayers, Barrett, Eric Berkel, Jonathan Hall, Samantha Barrett, Jared Walker and Ohrenstein) do high-kicking showgirl work to Barrett's energetic choreography.

Dee Richards' feather-laden costumes and headdresses are spot-on; Michael Newton Brown's set design is especially lovely when showing the beautiful St. Tropez setting.

Mixing dress-up and domesticity in the Golden Apple's La Cage aux Folles
By Kay Kipling, Sarasota Magazine
View Article at http://www.sarasotamagazine.com

Auntie Mame, Dolly Levi and Zaza/Albin—composer Jerry Herman is nothing if not consistent in his devotion to women who know how to make an entrance. And once the tapping transvestites who open up La Cage aux Folles with the number We Are What We Are exit, the stage is clear for the “female” half of that great homosexual team, Georges and Albin, to deliver what her audience expects.

Fortunately, Christopher Swan, in a role that’s quite a departure from what we’ve seen him do at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre before, is up to the challenge. He conveys the comedic gold of his character, a nightclub entertainer loaded with sequins, wigs and overdone affectations who frequently approaches hysteria, but also the dignity and warmth that lie beneath that baggage, particularly in his relationships with “husband” Georges (Brian Minyard, also doing fine, confident work here) and Georges’ biological son, Jean-Michel (Craig Weiskerger), whom Albin has helped to raise.

The catalyst for the play, of course, is Jean-Michel’s impending engagement to Anne (Kathryn Ohrenstein), who has the misfortune of being the daughter of an arch-conservative politician (Roy Johns) bound to find Georges and Albin’s lifestyle too outré even for St. Tropez. Jean-Michel, blinded by love, wants Albin to simply disappear when the time comes to invite Anne’s family for a visit, but Albin isn’t going quietly—especially when Jean-Michel’s biological (and long absent) mother finks out on him once again. Before you can say “mon cher Maman,” Albin is putting a little more mascara on to play the maternal role.

It’s all entertaining enough, and director-choreographer Dewayne Barrett, who also plays one of Les Cagelles, gets maximum mileage out of his showgirls/boys on the big splashy numbers, aided by suitably excessive costumes designed by Dee Richards. Keone Dent also scores as the butler/maid Jacob, even more over-the-top and outrageous in behavior than Albin on his worst day.

But the best moments of this production of La Cage come when Swan and Minyard are together alone onstage, totally believable as a longtime couple having some issues but still in love. Take that, Proposition 8.

La Cage aux Folles continues through Jan. 18 at the Golden Apple; call 366-5454 or visit thegoldenapple.com