I've gotten tired of being reminded that my former colleague was awarded the MacArthur Foundation Fellows grant (or whatever the program is called), so I thought I would comment on another cast album that has just entered my collection.
I don't get all the hoopla over Douglas Hodge (right). I'm sorry, but he is over-the-top too often for me. He seems the vocal heir to Anthony Newley--all affectation and no musicality. I'm sure there are many things that would be clearer if I saw him perform in person (or even on video) but I feel like Albin/Zsa Zsa needs some non-ridiculous moments to make the audience root for him.
On the positive side, I was glad to hear Kelsey Grammer's singing. He proves to have a real voice, with nice legato and a sizeable range. He even manages to reach into his upper register with attractive singing. His affable manner seems right for Georges the emcee of the club while being in the shadow of Albin, too.
A.J. Shively in his Broadway debut displays a nice tenor range in some lovely singing, also.
Jerry Herman again shows he is one of the few songwriters who is capable of handling both the music and lyrics. You not only can leave the theater humming, but will remember snatches of lyrics, since they are repeated so often. I only mean that as a slight slight.
This production has been open for almost nine months at this point, eclipsing a previous 2004 revival that lasted six months. The original Broadway production lasted more than four years. I recall seeing the tour in Detroit in 1985, I think it was with Keene Curtis and Peter Marshall.
La Cage aux Folles
Music and lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Harvey Fierstein
based on the play by Jean Poiret
Original production opened in 1983; this production opened in April 2010 and is still running.
Cast: Kelsey Grammer, Douglas Hodge, A.J. Shively.
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