‘La Cage Aux Folles’ opens at Clear Space Theatre July 6
Kicking off its summer repertory season, Clear Space Theatre Company will welcome back its patrons Monday, July 6, with “La Cage Aux Folles,” a Tony Award-winning musical that delivers a message of love while it entertains with a stage filled with vibrant dancing, slapstick comedy, colorful characters and inspirational songs.
“It’s an iconic story about love and acceptance,” says Andy Nyland, who plays Albin, the star of the St. Tropez nightclub “La Cage Aux Folles.”
Nyland says while the show’s memorable song, “I Am What I Am,” is a reminder of the struggle gay men have gone through, it also is a powerful song about acceptance, no matter who one is.
The book “La Cage Aux Folles” was written in 1983 by Harvey Fierstein, who himself played in a Broadway show. Composer Jerry Herman wrote the music and lyrics. The story was based on a French farce of the same name written in 1973 by Jean Poiret.
Risqué for its time, it is the story of two gay partnered men, George and Albin, who own a drag nightclub in St. Tropez. When George’s grown son decides to marry the daughter of bigoted, right-winged parents, George decides to show the parents he and Albin are a traditional couple. The comedy erupts.
Dan Carney, who plays lead character and bar owner Georges, said it is a true Broadway classic musical. “I first heard Jerry Herman’s ‘Hello Dolly!’ when I was about 6 years old, and it made me want to sing his music.”
“La Cage Aux Folles” opened on Broadway in 1983 and ran four-and-a-half years, earning six Tony Awards including one for Herman. At the time, Herman was the only composer/lyricist in history to have three musicals running at the same time on Broadway. In 2005, the revival won another Tony for Best Musical.
Terrell Jones, a professional dancer who has returned to Clear Space to perform as one of the St. Tropez nightclub troupe, is excited to perform in the show.
“It offers so many challenges,” Jones said, including the requirement to dance in high heels, not easy for a man who never wears them. “There are challenges in the techniques and precision of the dances, as well as in creating strong characters. You live in the choreography.”
Sponsored by Laura Mason and Donna L. West, “La Cage Aux Folles” opens at 7:30 p.m., Monday, July 6, with shows performed twice a week through the end of August.
In order to create a safe environment, individual seats are replaced with cabaret-style tables socially distanced from one another. Tables for two are $59 and tables for four are $115. For more information on Clear Space’s COVID-19 precautions or for show tickets, visit www.ClearSpaceTheatre.org or call 302-227-2270.
Clear Space Theatre is a nonprofit regional theatre serving residents and visitors to Southern Delaware since 2004. Clear Space performs 13 shows during its season and has year-round performing arts education classes for children and adults. Clear Space is located at 20 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach.
