La Cage aux Folles, Music Theatre of Connecticut, Norwalk, CT, USA

The multi-Tony award winning play La Cage aux Folles at the Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) in Norwalk, Connecticut proves once again that love overcomes all, or at least in the fabulous story of Georges and Albin, and Jean-Michel and Anne. The large and very talented cast includes Zachary Anderson, Laura Austin, Brianna Bauch, Sam Brackley, Cameron Edris, Shaylen Harger, Shannen Hofheimer, Cedric Leiba, Jr., Frank Mastrone, Scott Mikita, Daniel Pahl, Pablo Pernia, Jim Schilling, and Lou Ursone. Masterfully directed by MTC’s Co-Founder Kevin Connors, La Cage aux Folles had the audience laughing aloud all evening as well as cheering the love stories. The play runs until April 19, 2025.

Frank Mastrone (Albin), Scott Mikita (Georges) – La Cage aux Folles

We had the pleasure of attending the play on opening night when the theatre was filled to capacity with patrons out for an evening of fun. La Cage aux Folles the musical by Jerry Herman (music and lyrics), and book by Jerry Herman, is based on the 1973 French play by the same name. The musical made its debut on Broadway in 1983, and won 3 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score in 1984. It has won a total of 5 Tony Awards, as well as many other awards throughout the years, and it was remade into the 1996 film, The Birdcage starring Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, and Gene Hackman. While this was our first time seeing La Cage aux Folles, we had seen, and loved, the film, The Birdcage, so we knew the basic plot line.

Zachary Anderson (Jean-Michel) – La Cage aux Folles

La Cage aux Folles is a love story; actually, it is two love stories, the first love story being that of Georges and Albin, the second love story is that of their son Jean-Michel and his fiancée Anne. What complicates both stories are that Georges and Albin are an openly gay couple who own a popular drag club in St. Tropez, and Anne is the daughter of Madame Dindon and her husband, Monsieur Dindon, a righteous, conservative, and homophobe politician.

Cedric Leibra Jr (Jacob), Scott Mikita (Georges) – La Cage aux Folles

The large cast is as good as it gets beginning with Georges, played by veteran Broadway actor, Scott Mikita (+20 years in The Phantom of the Opera) who has been with Albin, played by another Broadway talent, Frank Mastrone (Les Misérables, Jekyll & Hyde, Cats, etc.) for over 20 years. They are the perfect couple, loving, respectful of each other, and still in love after all these years. Georges is the emcee for the club, and Albin is “Zaza” the star of the club.

Zachary Anderson (Jean-Michel), Brianna Bauch (Anne) – La Cage aux Folles

They live in a flamboyant apartment above the club with their son Jean-Michel, played by Zachary Anderson, the by-product of a brief tryst between Georges and a gorgeous chorus girl, named Sybil. However, it is Georges and Albin who have raised and loved Jean-Michel, as the birth mother has never been a part of their lives.

Jim Schilling (Francis), Sam Brackley (Cagelle), Pablo Pernia (Cagelle). Cameron Edris (Cagelle), Daniel Pahl (Cagelle) – La Cage aux Folles

All has been right in their world, until Jean-Michel shows up unannounced to the apartment to tell his father that he is engaged to be married, to a woman, and that her father is an ultra-conservative politician, and to further complicate the matter, Anne played by Brianna Bauch and her parents are coming to St. Tropez to meet Jean-Michel’s parents and will be staying in their apartment.

Shaylen Harger (Colette), Zachary Anderson (Jean-Michel) – La Cage aux Folles

Jean-Michel then informs Georges that he has invited Sylvia to come to the apartment and act as his mother, as the Dindons are expecting to meet his mother and father, and that Albin cannot be there. Also, the apartment must get a makeover before the Dindons arrive.

Laura Austin (Marie Dindon), Lou Ursone (Mssr. Dindon) – La Cage aux Folles

While love will reign for Jean-Michel and Anne, it will be heartbreak for Georges and Albin, when it is up to Georges to tell him about the engagement and that he cannot be present to meet the Dindons played by Laura Austin and Lou Ursone.

Shannen Hofheimer (Jacqueline), Frank Mastrone (Albin) – La Cage aux Folles

A live six-piece band by Richard Carsey, Gary Ruggiero, Alexandria Johnson, Mason Layda, Alan Lounsbury, and Alexander Casimiro, provides the music to accompany the songs and for the outstanding dance numbers by the Club’s very talented Cagelles performed by Sam Brackley, Cameron Edris, Daniel Pahl, and Pablo Pernia, whose high kicks, splits, cartwheels, tap dance, and cancan numbers, along with outrageous antics create fun and excitement.

Frank Mastrone (Albin). Sam Brackley (Cagelle), Pablo Pernia (Cagelle), Cameron Edris (Cagelle), Daniel Pahl (Cagelle) – La Cage aux Folles

The play is brilliantly written with many comedic parts that had the audience laughing aloud especially whenever Cedric Leiba Jr. as Jacob, Georges and Albin’s butler/lady’s maid delivered a well-placed line; a true comedic talent with perfect timing and physicality who hit the mark every time. Also humorous was the role of Francis/Tabarro played by Jim Schilling (MTC Co-Founder), as the club manager and beleaguered love interest of one of the Cagelles. Shannen Hofheimer as the Restaurateur Jacqueline, and Shaylen Harger as Colette, round out the stellar cast and bring humor to both of their roles as well.

Scott Mikita (Georges), The Cagelles – La Cage aux Folles

If you want to know how the play ends, you will need to see La Cage aux Folles for yourself. The play runs until April 19, 2025, so if you love exceptional theatre, please visit the website: https://www.musictheatreofct.com/, call the box office at 1-203-454-3883, or email them at: admin@musictheatreofct.com to purchase your tickets and support the arts while having a very enjoyable afternoon or evening out.

Cameron Edris (Mssr Renaud), Frank Mastrone (Albin), Scott Mikita (Georges), Laura Austin (Mme Renaud) – La Cage aux Folles

From beginning to end, La Cage aux Folles is well worth seeing and delivers a great theatre experience for audiences. The play has great music and lyrics, superb acting that will have you laughing often, as well as touching your heart with its story, and showstopping dance numbers that will leave you amazed. Bravo to Director Kevin Connors, to the extremely talented cast, and to the band, who made the MTC’s performance of La Cage aux Folles so memorable.

Cedric Leibra Jr, (Jacob), Frank Mastrone (Albin) – La Cage aux Folles

As it was opening night, after the performance there was a reception catered by Romanacci in Norwalk, for the cast members and theatre patrons to mingle and discuss the show. There was such excitement after the show, that patrons left the theatre with a song in their head, perhaps a dance number or two, and memories of well-performed theatre.

Until next time, keep enjoying and supporting the arts!

La Cage aux Folles – Crew

La Cage aux Folles is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals www.concordtheatricals.com

Frank Mastrone (Albin) – La Cage aux Folles

La Cage aux Folles – Cast (alphabetically by actor)

 La Cage aux Folles – The Band

Performance schedule: Thursday, April 10 and 17, 2025 at 7:00 pm, Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 2:00 pm. La Cage aux Folles runs until April 19, 2025.

For information or to purchase tickets, please visit the website: https://www.musictheatreofct.com/, call the box office at 1-203-454-3883, or email them at: admin@musictheatreofct.com.

The box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am until 3:30 pm and 2 hours before every performance.

Sponsors: The 2025 MainStage Season is sponsored by: The Burry Fredrik Foundation, and The Schnurmacher Foundation.

Music Theatre of Connecticut’s 2025 MainStage Productions

Music Theatre of Connecticut + Norwalk Symphony Orchestra 2025 Productions

Note: MTC + Norwalk Symphony Orchestra Performances are on Fridays at 8:00 pm, and Saturdays at 2:00 pm.

About MTC

“Music Theatre of Connecticut is the premier provider of musical theatre performance and training. Founded in 1987, we produce an annual series of Equity productions featuring New York professionals (MTC MainStage), numerous annual student productions, and a conservatory-style School of Performing Arts with curriculum-based training for students ages four through high school, including the nationally recognized College-Bound in the Performing Arts program for performance career-focused high school students.”

“The Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) was founded in 1987 by Kevin Connors (Artistic Director and Co-Founder) and Jim Schilling (Co-Founder), where MTC’s focus is musical theatre performance and training.”

For more information on the Music Theatre of Connecticut, please visit their website: www.MusicTheatreofCT.com.

You might also like to read: Backstage Interview – Kevin Connors and Jim Schilling of Music Theatre of Connecticut: https://luxuryexperience.com/performances/performances-performances/backstage-interview-kevin-connors-and-jim-schilling-of-music-theatre-of-connecticut/

Music Theatre of Connecticut
509 Westport Avenue (look for the large white sign)
Norwalk, Connecticut 06851
United States
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