The best of times is November 12, as performances of a new revival of La Cage aux Folles begins at California's Pasadena Playhouse. Opening night is November 17, with performances continuing through December 15. Sam Pinkleton (Oh, Mary!) is at the helm.
Cheyenne Jackson (Xanadu, Finian's Rainbow, Once Upon a Mattress, American Horror Story) and Tony nominee Kevin Cahoon (Shucked, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) are leading the cast as Georges and Albin, respectively. The cast also includes El Beh as Francis, Shea Diamond as Jacqueline, Ryan J. Haddad as Jean-Michel, Michael McDonald as Edouard Dindon/M. Renaud, Nicole Parker as Marie Dindon/Mme. Renaud, Shannon Purser as Anne, and George Salazar as Jacob, along with Kay Bebe Queue, Cody Brunelle-Potter, Salina EsTitties, Rhoyle Ivy King, Ellen Soraya Nikbakht, Suni Jade Reid, and Paul Vogt.
Based on the play by Jean Poiret, La Cage has a book by Harvey Fierstein and music and lyrics by Herman. The musical opened on Broadway in August 1983, subsequently winning six Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Pasadena's production features music direction by Darryl Archibald, choreography by Ani Taj, scenic design by David Zinn, costume design by David Reynoso, lighting design by Stacey Derosier, and sound design by Daniel Erdberg and Ursula Kwong Brown. Casting is by Ryan Bernard Tymensky. Chris Waters serves as stage manager, with Sam Allen and Lydia Runge as assistant stage managers.
La Cage aux Folles is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
Danny Feldman is the producing artistic director of Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California and recipient of the 2023 Regional Theatre Tony Award.
Tickets are available at PasadenaPlayhouse.org.