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‘La Cage’ brings house down at PIC
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Posted on Nov 04 2006
Friends of the Arts’ latest offering, [I]La Cage aux Folle[/I], transformed PIC’s Charley’s Cabaret into a gay cabaret lounge for a three-day weekend run on Oct. 13-15, featuring boas, feathers, high-kickin’ heels, and singing based on the original music and lyrics of Jerry Herman.
Based on the play of the same title by Jean Poiret, the local theater production was headlined by Frank Gibson as George and his temperamental diva of a partner, Albin, played by Chuck Sayon. Gibson, a terrific actor, showed in this program that he also has impressive vocal chops, while Sayon had a gleeful time going through wardrobe change after wardrobe change.
The two were ably supported by cast members Bob Schwalbach, who essayed the role of a straitlaced politician, Dindon, Edwin Correa Jr. as George’s son, Jean-Michel, and Dr. Susan Fishman-Tudor as a neurotic lesbian stage manager. It was Paul Dujua, however, who stole the show as the flamboyantly gay Jacob, who insists on being called a maid, rather than the masculine-sounding “butler.” His over-the-top portrayal of the role earned the most laughs among the audience.
Friends of the Arts president Melody Actouka, who was also part of the cast as restaurant owner Jacqueline, acknowledged the help of the technical theater crew of Marianas High School and the magic of Genoveva’s hair and makeup artists for the transformation of the stage and the characters throughout the nearly three-hour show.
