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.
