“La Cage Aux Folles’ firmly rooted messages of belonging, acceptance, family and love speak even louder in the wokeness of the twenty-first-century world. At times delightfully over the top, Sean Arbuckle and Steve Ross head a terrific cast that struts and sashays with lots of glittery oomph.”

The year is 1978, mid-August in St. Tropez. The evening begins at the La Cage Aux Folles nightclub. Proprietor Georges (Sean Arbuckle) welcomes the audience. While Les Cagelles, the audacious drag chorus line, struts its stuff onstage, Georges frantically searches backstage for Zaza, his headliner. Zaza is Albin (Steve Ross), Georges’ twenty-year-old long-time spouse. Zaza/Albin was locked in his dressing room. He fears he is getting old and won’t be a valued part of the nightclub and Georges’ life.

The couple's unique twentieth-century living accommodation is turned upside down with the arrival of Jean-Michel (a dashing James Daly), Georges’ adult son, from a one-night stand. Jean-Michel announces he is engaged to Anne (a winsome Heather Kosik), the daughter of ultra-uber-conservative parents Eduoard Dindon (a first-rate, stuffy, boorish Juan Chioran) and his wife Marie (a fine looking and vocal sounding Sara-Jeanne Hosie). I always smile at the couple's surname because its literal translation in English means ‘turkey’ and fits Edouard exceptionally well, especially at the end of the musical.

For twenty-one hours, Jean-Michel asks Georges and Albin to play it ‘straight’ for his soon-to-be in-laws, as Anne is nothing like her parents. It’s going to be a challenge like no other. From stripping Georges and Albin’s apartment of all things reminiscent of their lifestyle to their flamboyant maid/servant Jacob (impeccable work by Chris Vergara), will Georges and Albin be able to keep their promise to Jean-Michel without complete chaos erupting in their lives?

Brandon Kleiman (Set Designer), David Boechler (Costume Designer), and Kimberly Purtell (Lighting Designer) splendidly create a visual feast of eye popping colours washed in heavenly lighting. Purtell’s lighting captures the sparkle and dazzle of Boechler’s extraordinary work in the selection of nicely fitting suits for the men and the dazzling gowns worn by Zaza/Albin. Kleiman’s set design suggests the grandiose opulence of the nightclub setting while purposefully establishing that it is one of the places where Georges and Albin feel at home.

Franklin Brasz’s top-notch musical direction resonates superbly in the Avon Theatre. At one moment, he captures the bubbly effervescence of nightclub life, and then there is a touching duet between Georges and Albin while a performer lovingly plays a concertina in the background. A shout-out of recognition to Sound Designer Brian Kenny, as the balance between the orchestra and performers is perfect for hearing every lyric. Cameron Carver’s choreography is exciting to watch.

Director Thom Allison discusses the message of love in his Programme Note. I’ve only seen a handful of productions of ‘La Cage’, and this current Stratford version is probably the only one that emphasizes love's importance. I’m not referring to the sexual gratification of love from all the twenty-first-century activist idiocy, not at all.

The love in ‘La Cage’ stems from genuine and selfless concern and a desire for only the best for another person. It’s the selfless love of not expecting anything back in return.

That sounds rather Christian to me. Allison references the Christian theme again when he references Billy Joel’s “I couldn’t love you any better/I love you just the way you are.”

There’s my reason why ‘La Cage’ is worth doing and seeing in the twenty-first century.

This cast is one of the reasons why we attend productions at the Stratford Festival.

Leading this marvelous cast are Sean Arbuckle and Steve Ross as Georges and Albin, the same-sex couple who have stuck together through life’s struggles in wanting to be together at a time when their relationship would have been frowned upon. A vibrant theatrical ringmaster at the top of the show, Arbuckle’s Georges is akin to Kelsey Grammer’s prim and properness of Frasier Crane.

Ross remains adorably cuddly as the flamboyant Albin but thankfully does not park himself on that proverbial over-the-top radar of gayness. His closing Act One number, ‘I Am What I Am,’ remains rooted in complete conviction of emotional intensity ranging from frustration, hurt, anger and resentment. Ross selects moments to pause dramatically while his eyes and face reveal his internal experiences - a marvellous conclusion to Act One.

And Another Thought: Near the end of his Director’s Note, Thom Allison reiterates once again that ‘La Cage’ is about a loving family struggling for each individual’s acceptance and understanding. For Allison, that sounds pretty ‘normal.’

I’m going one step further. Thanks, Thom, for saying that. Christian families also struggle for acceptance and understanding. These gifts of the human heart are ones to be passed on to our young people.

Bravo to this company for keeping woke activism out and simply presenting a human, familial story of the heart for us all.

Running time: approximately two hours and 45 minutes with one interval/intermission.

‘La Cage Aux Folles’ runs until October 26 at the Avon Theatre, 99 Downie Street, Stratford. For tickets: stratfordfestival.ca or call 1-800-567-1600.

The Stratford Festival presents:

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
Book by Harvey Fierstein
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Based on the play by Jean Poiret
Director Thom Allison
Choreographer Cameron Carver
Music Director Franklin Brasz
Set Designer Brandon Kleiman
Costume Designer David Boechler
Lighting Designer Kimberly Purtell
Sound Designer Brian Kenny
Make-Up Designer Dino Dilio
Drag Consultant Justin Miller
Fight Director and Intimacy Director Anita Nittoly

Performers: Sean Arbuckle, Steve Ross, Eric Abel, George Absi, David Ball, Josh Doig, Jordan Goodridge, David Andrew Reid, Aidan deSalaiz, Ayrin Mackie, Chris Vergara, James Daly, Heather Kosik, David Ball, Juan Chioran, Sara-Jeanne Hosie, Starr Dominigue, Kevin ‘Koovy’ McLachlan, Alexandra Gratton, Jason Sermonia, Jeremy Carver Jones, Amanda Lundgren, Jamie Murray