Fri 27 Feb 2009 In: Performance View at Wayback View at NDHA
As the Pride '09 Festival draws to a close, here's a musical treat which comes warmly recommended. Auckland Musical Theatre out at Western Springs has hosted several gay-themed plays recently including Beautiful Thing and The Boy From Oz, and now brings us another musical classic - La Cage Aux Folles, perhaps best known these days as The Birdcage, with Robin Williams in the movie version. The song-filled show's story unfolds: Nightclub owner Georges and his dazzling drag queen partner Albin's idyllic existence is shattered when Georges' son announces his engagement to the daughter of a bigoted politician. Chaos ensues as our heroes attempt to become a "normal" family amid the sequins, frills, feathers, and glitter. The show includes gay anthem I Am What I Am, among many other belters… as always, Auckland Musical Theatre's all-singing, all-dancing cast are out in force. Family bar's karaoke hostess and Stars in their Eyes finalist Cindy of Samoa was impressed with last night's premiere. She tells us: "The show was great, and I had a fabulous time. "It was really good to see all those talented people on the stage. I'd seen both the movies, but never seen it on stage before and it's a very different experience. There were some lovely funny lines in there, and some moving songs. They had made a great effort with the costumes too. I'm keen for lots of people to go and see it - you'll love it!" La Cage Aux Folles is on at the Westpoint Performing Arts Complex, 190 Meola Road, Western Springs, until Saturday 14 March. Book on the link below - and we recommend you bring a cushion with you to the show, as the seats are on the hard side! Tonight's performance is a special 'audience in drag' night. To wet your appetite, shown below is Gloria Gaynor doing La Cage Aux Folles' number I Am What I Am… Matt Akersten - 27th February 2009