La Cage aux Folles February 7, 2008

One of Broadways most popular musicals, La Cage aux Folles previews January 31, opens February 7 and closes March 9 at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. With book by Harvey Fierstein and lyrics and music by Jerry Herman, La Cage aux Folles is based on a 1973 French play by Jean Poiret and the subsequent 1978 French-Italian film of the same name. La Cage aux Folles later became the inspiration for the American film The Birdcage starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. La Cage aux Folles went on to receive eight Tony Awards in both 1983 and 2004. Theatre at the Centers production will be directed by multi Jeff Award winning director Bill Pullinsi. Pullinsi has taken home multiple awards for his productions of La Cage aux Folles at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse in 1987-88 and 1991-92. James Harms will also reprise his three-time Jeff award winning role as Albin in this production.

Rudy Hogenmiller will choreograph this production with musical direction by Bill Underwood. Set design is by Nick Mozak, lighting design by Denise Karzewski and costume design is by Nikki Delhomme. Production manager is Chuck Gessert, stage manager is Rebecca Green and Technical Director is Ann Davis.

La Cage aux Folles is a boisterous and uplifting celebration of love in an untraditional family who owns a popular St. Tropez nightclub. Albin (James Harms) and Georges (Larry Adams) twenty years of domestic tranquility is shattered when their son, Jean-Michel (Phil Higgins) must introduce his prospective straight-laced in-laws to his own loving "parents". The show is filled with gorgeous costumes, fabulous dance numbers and a wonderful score including The Best of Times, I Am What I Am and The Song on the Sand.

La Cage aux Folles first opened on Broadway August 21, 1983 at the Palace Theatre where it ran for 1,761 performances. The original cast, directed by Arthur Laurents, starred Gene Barry as Georges, George Hearn as Albin and John Weiner as Jean-Michel. This production received the 1983 Tony Award