Date: Wed 26-Jul-1995

Author: SHANNO

Illustration: I

Full Text:

Theatre Review-

`La Cage Aux Folles'

Is Great Entertainment

Georges (Thaddeus Valdez) and Albin (Tony Triano) are The Loving Couple in La

Cage Aux Folles , which has been enjoying a run at Gateway's Candlewood

Playhouse. Half vaudevillian, half warm and caring story, the play is pure

entertainment and never a disappointment.

B Y C AROL F ENN

NEW FAIRFIELD - I hope everyone was able to see La Cage Aux Folles at

Gateway's Candlewood Playhouse (its run concludes Saturday night, July 29).

This bawdy, hilarious musical is a treat to see, and no one should dismiss it

because of its subject matter, which really is about the importance of love in

our lives and not about alternative lifestyles.

La Cage Aux Folles won Tony Awards on Broadway in 1984. It was originally a

French film, translated to the stage with music by Jerry Herman, book by

Harvey Fierstein, and has been applauded for its old-style musical comedy

songs and its dazzling showbiz pace and comedy. With all this going for it,

why would anyone miss La Cage Aux Folles ?

The story is about two showbiz lovers of 20 years, a homosexual couple. And

the show is a farce that takes place in a French transvestite nightclub, with

a cast of drag queens in the most glittery, showy costumes. It is pure camp,

but also finds its way to touch the heart, ultimately leading us to the true

purpose of being a human being: loving one another, whether parent to child,

or adult to adult.

The director of this production, Robert Ennis Turoff, does a splendid job of

setting a fast-paced and entertaining musical. The two leading men - Thaddeus

Valdez and Tony Triano - are excellent in their roles as the aging couple; Mr

Valdez as Georges, the owner of the nightclub, and Mr Triano as Albin, the

club's star attraction.

Mr Triano is particularly good as he reveals the inner soul of his character,

sometimes very funny and sometimes painfully realistic. His ability to perform

each song is superb. Mr Triano's performance is one of the best I have seen in

the local theatre.

The dancers of the club, Les Caggelles, are a mix of mostly men and women. Try

to figure which as they perform impressive dance numbers in the club,

especially a lively cancan dance where the men kick as high as the women.

There are lots of bawdy jokes, fluffy boas, sequins and glittery curtains. The

songs are catchy, especially the final number, " The Best of Times, " where

the audience joins in.

La Cage Aux Folles is half-vaudevillian entertainment, half a warm and caring

story. You may not know what to expect, but you will not be disappointed

.

La Cage Aux Folles continues through July 29 at Gateway's Candlewood

Playhouse, on Route 39 in New Fairfield. Call the box office at 746-4441 for

ticket reservations or more information.