Few theaters in the region take the kind of risks HART does and this summer is no exception. On July 6, the 1983 Broadway blockbuster La Cage Aux Folles opens in Waynesville for a four week run. La Cage Aux Folles, translated as The Bird Cage, won the Tony for Best Musical, then two Best Musical Revivals for a total of 23 Tony nominations, 11 Tony Awards, and a dozen Drama Desk awards.

Despite its pedigree, however, few theaters are willing to take a chance doing the show. La Cage is the story of a gay couple, George and Albin, who run a night club in San Tropez. Albin is the star. George has a son, Jean Michelle, who has become engaged to the daughter of a hyper conservative politician. From this situation the comedy erupts as Albin first tries to pass himself off as the boy’s uncle, and failing that, as his matronly mother.

The story began first as a 1973 French farce, then as a 1978 French film which became very popular at fine arts cinemas around the country. Five years later the play was adapted to the stage by Harvey Fierstein and composer Jerry Herman. They couldn’t get rights to the film so they went to the original source, setting the show on the French Riviera.

Fierstein was coming off a Tony sweep for his play Torch Song Trilogy. Herman was the wunderkind of Broadway in the 1960’s, having created the hits Mame, and Hello Dolly. But he struck out with The Grand Tour, Mack and Mable, and A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine (based on the Marx Brothers). Herman needed a hit. They brought in director Arthur Laurents, best remembered for West Side Story and Gypsy, and set out to fashion a big bright funny piece of entertainment.

The original production opened in Boston and just before the performance Herman had a panic attack fearing the conservative Bostonians would object to the show’s gay characters. As it turned out he didn’t need to worry. Staid Boston loved it. The Broadway show became a spectacular hit staring George Hearn (the original Sweeny Todd), and Gene Barry (best know as TV’s Bat Masterson) as the leading couple – Hearn played the outrageous Zaza, star of the club La Cage. Revivals featured Robert Goulet and most recently Kelsey Grammer.

The non-musical American film version of the original play was made in 1995 and set in Miami. With Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, and Gene Hackman, the film became a monster hit.

Even with that success few theaters are willing to take a chance on a show with such non-traditional subject matter. HART held off for many years, fearing the community might not be ready, but actors and audience members alike kept requesting it. So once again HART is trusting that if done well it will win the hearts of theater goers in Western North Carolina.

The cast of HART’s production will feature a number of new faces and great voices. George is being played by Rod Leigh, last seen in HART’s Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Full Monty, and as the lead in Floyd Collins. Albin is Eric Martinez, an experienced actor new to our stage, along with WCU BFA candidate James Hendley who is playing the son, Jean Michelle.

Others in the cast include Lyn Donley, Laura Gregory, Frances Davis, Steve Turner, Bryan Nichols, Ricky Sanford, Alexia Grant, Susan Rudniak, Sean Bruce, Dan Dutterer, Ben Tetreault, Charles Marth, Oliver Marth, Hope Peterson, Mandy Wildman, Wayne Porter, and Emily Tetreault.

HART’s productions of The Producers, Chicago and Kiss Me Kate, return for this show, along with music director Chuck Taft. The show is being directed by HART Executive Director Steve Lloyd.

If You Go: HART presents La Cage Aux Folles July 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays July 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 3 p.m.

Tickets: $24 for adults; $22 for seniors; students $10. Special $7 discount tickets for students for Sunday’s and Thursdays. Box Office hours Mon-Sat 1-5 p.m.

Call (828) 456-6322 for reservations. Tickets available at www.harttheatre.com. Performing Arts Center at the Shelton House, 250 Pigeon St. Waynesville, NC.