IT’S “THE BEST OF TIMES” AT THE PLAYERS WITH “LA CAGE AUX FOLLES”

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February 9, 2016

IT’S “THE BEST OF TIMES” AT THE PLAYERS WITH “LA CAGE AUX FOLLES”

 

Sarasota, FL—The Players Theatre is busy putting on its makeup and wig in anticipation of the opening of “La Cage Aux Folles”—the hilarious musical comedy which was the inspiration for the hit film “The Birdcage.” A jewel in the tiara of The Players’ 86th Season, this fun and larger-than-life musical boasts a whopping nine Tony Award nominations and winner of six including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. The book, by Harvey Fierstein and lyrics/music by Jerry Herman. The production, which is a recent revival, is an area premiere and has taken home two Tony Awards for “Best Revival.”  “La Cage Aux Folles” focuses on a gay couple, Georges (Matthew M. Ryder) manager of a Saint Tropez nightclub which primarily features drag style entertainment, and Albin (Berry Ayers), his high-maintenance and flamboyant romantic partner.

 

Artistic Director Jeffery Kin remarks, “This has been an amazing process putting this magnificent musical on its feet. This updated and revised version of ‘La Cage’ hasn’t been done in the area, and we have made some particularly theatrical choices with our designs. I’m excited with the quality of our performers, and really looking forward to giving this production a very unique twist. It is, after all, a simple show that helps us all understand that relationships are relationships…and that we are more alike than we are different.”

 

Story: Georges, owner of “La Cage Aux Folles” along with his “wife” Albin, live above the Saint Tropez night club, where Albin is a Drag Queen and the star of the club under the alias of “ZaZa”.  All is well until Georges’ son Jean-Michele arrives home to announce his engagement to Anne Dindon, daughter of the head of the “Traditional, Family and Morality Party”. Anne’s parents want to meet their future in-laws; Jean-Michele begs his father to make sure Albin is not present. As Albin is performing in the night club, Georges and Jean-Michele quickly re-decorate the house to make it more appealing to Anne’s conservative parents, but Albin discovers their plan and departs in a huff. A new plan is hatched as Georges and Jean- Michele invite his mother Sybil to the dinner with Anne’s parents, and to appease Albin, he will play the role of Jean-Michele’s straight “Uncle Al”. Meanwhile Sybil is unable to attend the dinner, and wanting to save the day Albin suddenly appears as Jean-Michele’s frumpy mother wearing pearls and sensible shoes. Hilarity ensues as the trio attempt to fool Anne’s politically involved and conservative parents.

 

Performance Dates:

 

“La Cage Aux Folles”

March 23rd– Apri1 10th, 2016

March 23rd: Preview Night

March 24th: Opening Night

March 23-24, 26, 29-31, April 1-2, 7-9 – 7:30pm Shows

March 27,  April 2, 3 & 10 – 2:00pm Matinee

 

Tickets:

$25 Regular

$30 Premium (rows A-E)

$12 Full Time Student under 24 w/valid ID

 

Cast and Crew

 

Director                                                  Jeffery Kin

Music Director                                      Darren Server

Production Manager                           Berry Ayers

Artistic Director                                    Jeffery Kin

Stage Manager                                     Alyssa Goudy

Choreographer                                     Charles Logan

Lighting Designer                                 Tara Foster

Costumes                                              Erin Colleran

Props                                                      Donna Defant

Assistant Props                                     Susan Haley

Tech Director                                        Ken Junkins

Asst Tech Director                               Alyssa Goudy

Sound                                                    Seth Berry

Set Design                                             William Karrs

 

Albin                                                      Berry Ayers

George                                                   Matthew M. Ryder

Jean-Michele                                        Anthony Spall

Jacob                                                     Jean Paul Monde

Anne                                                      Ashley Figlow

Mr. Dindon                                           Bob Fahey

Marie Dindon                                       Andrea Keddell

Jacqueline                                             Debbie McLeod

Mr. Renaud                                          Craig Engle

Mrs, Renaud                                         Linda Roeming

Francis                                                   Ross Boehringer

Chantal                                                 Brian Finnerty

Hanna                                                   Parker Lawhorne

Phaedra                                                 Logan Junkins

Angelique                                              Scott Vitale

Mercedes                                               Rachel Knowles

Clo-Clo                                                  Jessie Tasetano

Monique                                                Casey Kelley

Bitelle                                                     Amanda Heisey

Tabarao                                                Peter Vallance

Hercule                                                  Jay Bowman

Pepe                                                       Kurtland Hoffman

Babette                                                  Miriam Roeming-Engle

Paulette                                                 Sami Wilde

Moet Chandon                                    Kay Siebold

Mai Tai                                                  Sharon Bartley

Martini & Rossi                                    Gayle Foster

Cosmopolitan                                      Victoria Tokarz

Tequila Sunrise                                    Sami Blouin

Brandy Alexander                               Nancy Creighton

 

 

The Players Theatre 

838 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota FL 34236, 941-365-2494, Fax: 941-954-0282

www.theplayers.org. Box Office: Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and one hour prior to curtain time.

The Players Box Office is located on Tamiami Trail between 10th Street and Blvd. of the Arts.

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