Before there was the popular movie The Birdcage, there was the smash hit Broadway musical, La Cage Aux Folles. This Tony Award winning musical remains one of Broadway’s all-time biggest hits.
After twenty years of un-wedded bliss Georges and Albin, two men partnered for better-or-worse get a bit of both when Georges’ son announces his impending marriage to the daughter of a bigoted, narrow-minded politician. Albin tries to help by making a perfect family with hilarious results. Further complicating the situation, Albin and Georges run a drag nightclub in St. Tropez, where Albin is the star performer ‘Zaza.’
The Cagelles!
This wild and warmhearted farce about the importance of nonconformity and being true to oneself is sure to be a highlight of our summer season.
JUST ADDED: Saturday matinee performances on August 16th and 23rd!
Book by Harvey Fierstein; Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman; Based on the play by Jean Poiret
Presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
Generously sponsored by:
David Edwards* (Albin) appeared on Broadway in By Jeeves and The Rothschilds and played both Max Bialystock and Roger DeBris in the National Tour of The Producers. Off-Broadway credits include starring in the recent revival of Room Service, The Fantasticks (as the final “El Gallo”), The Disputation, Dr. Sex, Bittersuite (cast album), That’s Life, What’s a Nice Country Like You Doing In A State Like This?, What’s That Smell: The Music of Jacob Sterling, and Ionescopade. Regional credits include Man of La Mancha (Don Quixote), La Cage aux Folles (Albin), Camelot (King Arthur), Bells Are Ringing (Jeff), A Little Night Music (Fredrik), Irma Vep, Little Me (Star Ledger Award – Best Musical Actor), 1776, A Few Good Men, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and The Cripple of Inishmaan at such theatres as The Ordway, Eugene O’Neill Center, Westchester Broadway Theatre, The Old Globe, Portland Stage Co., GeVA, Gateway Playhouse, Florida Studio Theatre , Bristol Riverside, and Syracuse Stage. Film & TV: Belly, The Fantasticks: Try to Remember, Meshuggah-Nuns TV Special, The Good Wife, and the 2011 Comedy Awards. David has sung with NY City Opera, Virginia Opera, and Skylight Opera Companies, and has appeared as a concert soloist with the El Paso & Albuquerque Symphonies and the Palm Beach Pops. Recordings include the cast albums of “Bittersuite” and “Kings” and a new solo album “David Edwards Giving Voice” available on ITunes. David is also a theatre director and has helmed plays and musicals at Centenary Stage Co, Gretna Theatre, Westchester Broadway Theatre, Gateway Playhouse, Surflight, and Meadow Brook Theatre. Visit www.davidedwardsonline.com.
James Van Treuren* (Georges) is very happy to be making his Ivoryton Playhouse debut. He has appeared on Broadway in The Scarlet Pimpernel at both the Minskoff and Neil Simon Theatres. Nationally he toured with The Scarlet Pimpernel, Camelot starring Richard Harris and Singin’ in the Rain choreographed by Peter Gennaro. Recently he appeared regionally at Syracuse Stage in White Christmas and their critically acclaimed Caroline, or Change. In Regional Theatres all over the country he has been seen as Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha (Skyline Theatre), Emile de Becque in South Pacific (North Carolina and Surflight Theatres), Sir Danvers Carew in Jekyll & Hyde (Westchester Broadway Theatre), Gerard Carriere in the Yeston/Kopit Phantom (Westchester Broadway Theatre), Mr. Lawrence in Little Women (Bristol Riverside Theatre), Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd (Geva Theatre Centre), Captain Hook in Peter Pan (Merry-Go-Round Playhouse – S.A.L.T. nomination), Georges in La Cage aux Folles (Downtown Cabaret Theatre), Shaw in Footloose (TriArts Theatre), Juan Peron in Evita (Bristol Riverside Theatre – Barrymore nomination), Putting It Together (Emelin Theatre), and Alan in Baby (Polkadot Playhouse). Off Broadway: Original Cast of Trolls (Actors’ Playhouse) and Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens (RAPP Arts Center). Television credits include: Law & Order SVU, The David Letterman Show and Another World. James can be heard on the RCA/BMG cast recording of the Yeston/Kopit Phantom as Inspector Ledoux. JamesVanTreuren.com
Zach Trimmer* (Jean-Michel) This is Zach’s third turn as Jean-Michel (previously at North Shore Music Theatre and Theatre by the Sea), and he couldn’t be happier! He was most recently seen Off-Broadway as Greg Brady in The Brady Bunch. Other theatre: Hairspray (Brad, u/s Corny, Nat’l Tour), Avenue Q (Swing, Nat’l Tour), Danny Zuko in Grease and Link in Hairspray (TBTS), The Fantasticks (Matt, West Virginia Public), Avenue Q (Ogunquit Playhouse, Gateway Playhouse), Into the Woods (Rapunzel’s Prince, Arizona Broadway), Miss Saigon (Virginia Music Theatre), A Wonderful Life (John W. Engeman Theatre), Beauty and the Beast and Fiddler…, (Lumière, Motel, BBBay), and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Jimmy, South Bay MT). Thanks to the Ivoryton Playhouse team and my agent, Dave. Proud member of AEA.
Phil Young (Jacob) is a Houston native and a recent graduate of Penn State’s musical theatre program! Last seen here in All Shook Up, he is so excited to be back at the Ivoryton Playhouse! Some of his favorite credits include Adrian in Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Ogun Size in In The Red And Brown Water, and Production Tenor in Singin’ In The Rain. He gives many thanks to his family, The Ivoryton Playhouse, his teachers, his lovely Lady Palmer, and his Wolfpack.
Allyson Webb (Anne Dindon) is very thrilled to be making her Ivoryton Playhouse debut! The Hartt School: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hippolyta/First Fairy), Top Girls (Marlene), The Cider House Rules, Part 1 (Candy Kendall), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Governor’s Wife/Mother). Monomoy Theatre: Cabaret (Two Ladies/Kit Kat Girl/Featured Soloist), George Washington Slept Here (Sue Barrington), The Crucible (Young Girl). Allyson is a Michigan native and an upcoming senior at The Hartt School, where she is pursuing a BFA in Actor Training. She is eternally grateful to God for his blessings and her family and friends for their endless love and support.
Frank Calamaro* (Edouard Dindon) is proud to be a part of one of his favorite musicals, and to be so close to home (Chester, CT) and be able to sleep in his own bed!!! He is a proud member of Actor’s Equity, and has appeared in a number of wonderful benefits for Equity, as well as other organizations. He was honored to be invited to take part in ARTIST FOR WORLD PEACE on BROADWAY #3 in NYC and helped raise $11,000 for that cause. Frank was honored to be asked and directed by Martin Charnin to reprise his role as Shem in the World Premiere Revival of Two by Two in NYC with Jason Alexander and Tovah Feldshuh. North American Tours: Fiddler On The Roof (Lazar Wolf/Tevye) and Victor/Victoria (Andre’ Cassell/Toddy). Regional: Nunsense– A-Men (Reverend Mother); Cabaret (Herr Schultz); Zorba (Zorba); Little Women (Professor Bhaer); Baby (Allen); La Cage Aux Folles (Albin/Zaza) USA Premier: Tomorrow Morning (Jack); Number The Stars (Poppa) and The Tutor (Richard) for which he received a Best Supporting Actor award. He is a director, performer, and award winning writer of Children’s shows, and is featured on the recording of The North Pole Express. Thanks to God for his blessings, family, and friends for their encouragement, and especially his wife, Charlene, and children, Brendan and Aubree for allowing him to “LIVE THE DREAM”…Nobody Loves you More!!! FrankCalamaro.com
Samantha Talmadge (Marie Dindon) received her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance in May, 2009 from Yale University and is currently an adjunct instructor of voice at Connecticut College. Most recently, Samantha recently appeared in concert as a highlighted performer for the Merryall Center of Performing Arts and as a guest soloist for the cancer research fundraiser Upbeat Like Millie. In the fall of 2012, she sang the role of Micäela with Connecticut Lyric Opera and also made her professional musical theater debut with the Ivoryton Playhouse in their summer production of Oliver. Additionally, she played the character of Hollie Annie Ivy for the Essex Steam Train’s seasonal production of the North Pole Express. Samantha co-founded The Sustenance Project, a group of professional musicians performing a wide variety of music to benefit various charity organizations such as the Simsbury Food Bank, and Dawn of a New Day, A Concert for Breast Cancer Awareness. Samantha has performed as a soloist with many major symphony orchestras, including the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Hartford Symphony, New Britain Symphony, and Chatter Chamber Ensemble. She has been a performer with professional companies such as Musica Romantica and Teatro Nuevo Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico and has also performed with Santa Fe Opera’s outreach program in Donizetti’s The Nightbell.
MarTina Vidmar* (Jacqueline) A true gypsy, Martina has performed in regional theatre all over the country. She has made a career role of ‘Adelaide’ in Guys & Dolls, most notably opposite Eddie Mekka (Laverne & Shirley). Other highlights include: the long-running ‘who-dun-it’comedy Shear Madness at the Kennedy Center, Victor/Victoria starring Tony Roberts, Leroy Reams & Bob Cuccioli on tour and at Papermill Playhouse, High Spirits, opposite Kim Zimmer (Guiding Light), and as ‘Reno Sweeney’ in Anything Goes at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City. Some other favorite roles include the dual role of ‘Judy/Ginger’ in the musical spoof Ruthless!, ‘Maria’ in Lend Me A Tenor, ‘Agnes’ in I Do, I Do,’Dorothy Brock’ in 42nd Street and the title roles in Mame , Annie Get Your Gun….and ‘Mama Rose’ in Gypsy. Martina also travelled the globe performing her solo act, in clubs, cabarets and on luxury cruise liners. She appeared as a recurring player on All My Children, in Woody Allen’s Sweet & Lowdown and as a photo double for Bernadette Peters.
Erik C. Bloomquist (Renaud) is very excited to be making his Ivoryton debut! Hartford Stage: Ether Dome (upcoming), A Christmas Carol; Trinity College: Angels in America (Roy Cohn), Parade (Dorsey); Connecticut Cabaret Theatre: The Andrews Brothers (Patrick/Patty); All Shook Up (Dean Hyde); Gillette Castle State Park: Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Speckled Band (Sherlock); Essex Steam Train: The North Pole Express (Sammy Snowflake). Upcoming Television: PBS miniseries The Mystery of Matter. Erik has directed and choreographed productions of Rent, Into the Woods and Zanna, Don’t and is writer/director/producer of the upcoming feature film Founders Day (www.FoundersDayMovie.com). Erik holds a B.A. in Theatre and Dance from Trinity College and is a graduate of the London Dramatic Academy in London, England.
Cori Stolblun (Mme Renaud) is thrilled to be returning to Ivoryton after appearing in Dreamgirls last summer. The Hartt School: On the Twentieth Century, Barnum, Thoroughly Modern Millie (Gloria). She is a rising senior at The Hartt School where she is pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre.
Conor M. Hamill (Francis) Ivoryton Playhouse Debut! Playhouse on Park: Ernst (Cabaret), The Hartt School: Oberon (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Guy (Some Girls), Brighella (The King Stag), Simon/ Sergeant (Caucasian Chalk Circle); Monomoy Theatre: Lancaster (Henry IV), Newington Community Theater: Danny (A Few Good Men), Newington Children’s Theatre Company: Jack (Into the Woods), Wethersfield Teen Theater Company: Chuck (Footloose). Conor will be attending his last year of his undergraduate degree at The Hartt School in the Fall, finalizing his BFA in Actor Training.
Cagelles
Cameron Benda* (Hanna) is thrilled to be making his Ivoryton Playhouse debut In La Cage Aux Folles! A native of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Cameron recently graduated from The Boston Conservatory with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Past credits include The Donkey Show (A.R.T.), The Goodspeed Opera House, On The Town (Lyric Stage Company of Boston), Singin’ In The Rain, New Bedford Festival Theatre, and Forestburgh Playhouse, as well as had the privilege of performing with the Boston Pops! Cameron would love to thank his family, friends, and teachers for their endless support and constant love.
Carlos Chang (Nicole) was born in Peru and raised in Vancouver, Canada. He is a Canadian Latin DanceSport Champion and a Canadian Representative to the World Latin Championships. He now resides between Honolulu and New York where he performs, judges, choreographs and coaches students for national and international competitions. TV credits include So You Think You Can Dance USA and Canada (5-time semifinalist), Destination Groove Dance Hawaii (finalist & voted “Hawaii’s Favorite Dancer”), Hawaii 5-O (specialty artist). Stage credits include Burn The Floor (principle dancer) Australia Tour, US Tour, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Busch Gardens, The King And I (dancer), Dancing Queen (principle dancer), Pacific Swing Hawaii (co-choreographer, dance captain and principle dancer), Honu by the Sea (Shaka The Crab), Hawaii State Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Cavalier, Snow King & Russian), Emotions: The Power of Dance, Bling It On and Dancing With Hawaii’s Rising Stars (creator, director, choreographer, principle dancer).
Jay Garrick (Veronique) DC AREA: Olney Theatre Center: A Chorus Line (Helen Hayes Nomination for Best Ensemble), Kennedy Center: The Kennedy Center Honors, Adventure Theatre: Big Nate, Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Spamalot, Joseph… Dreamcoat, Legally Blonde, Hairspray. UNIVERSITY: Sweet Charity, The Drowsy Chaperone, Finian’s Rainbow, Cabaret, On The Town, Man of La Mancha, The Enchantress. UPCOMING: Olney Theatre Center: The Little Mermaid. TRAINING: BM Musical Theatre, Catholic University. Thanks to my friends and family for their constant love and support. Love y’all! www.jaygarrick.com.
Patrick Heffernan (Bitelle) is happy to be performing at the Ivoryton Playhouse for his first time. He is a Southern California native with a BA Theatre Performance and Dance minor from Wagner College. Nat’l tour: Fiddler on the Roof (Perchik) with PEG. Regional: 42nd Street at Gateway Playhouse, White Christmas at Surflight Theatre, H2$ at Arts Center of Coastal Carolina and various summer theatre credits at Mac-Haydn Theatre and the Arundel Barn Playhouse including Singin’ in the Rain (Don Lockwood) and Crazy for You (Bobby Child). In the fall Patrick will join the NETworks national tour of Anything Goes as the male swing. Much love and gratitude to teachers, friends and family.
John Paul LaPorte (Monique) New York / Tours, Off-Bway: The Donkey Show – Dir. Diane Paulus, Chicago. Recent: Miss Saigon 20th Anniversary – Riverside Theatre, West Side Story 50th Anniversary – Fulton Opera House- Dir. Josh Bergasse.. West Coast: Aladdin The Musical….. Aladdin. Webseries: Hustling. JP has been part of raising money for Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids (BCEFA) for the past 10 years and is honored to have performed in many of their events including Broadway Bares – featured dancer / model. JP has also danced backup for many recording artists including Vanessa Williams, Kristin Chenoweth and Martha Wash. Commercials: Yahoo, NBA Playoffs 2014. Love and gratitude to my mom, dad, family and my twin brother Angel for your love and support. For dad!
Xavier Reyes (Phaedra) was previously seen in Ivoryton’s All Shook Up! He just graduated Ithaca College and is originally from Puerto Rico. Previous Ithaca College credits include Fires in the Mirror, Legally Blonde and Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco. Additional regional and professional credits include The Buddy Holly Story, The Full Monty and Puss N Boots at the Cortland Repertory Theatre, the performing company of Cedar Fair, Angel in RENT at Cornell University, Paul in RENT (original Puerto Rico cast) and Once on this Island. Thank you audience members for supporting the theatre, my medium of communicating with the world!
Dyllan Vallier (Chantel) is so excited to be in his second production at the Ivoryton Playhouse! He was last seen in the Playhouse’s production of All Shook Up! Educational PTTP Credits Include: Das Barbecü (Milam Lamar), Baby Case (W.R. Hurst), Red Noses (LeGrue), Closer (Dan, Larry). Other credits include: Ragtime, Caroline, Or Change, Anything Goes, Euridyce, Urinetown, Big Love and Cabaret. Dyllan is a rising junior at The Hartt School at the University of Hartford with a major in Music Theatre Training and was a graduate of the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts in Hartford in 2012. Special thanks to my family, friends, mentors and everyone at the Ivoryton Playhouse for their unconditional love and support!
Lincoln Ward* (Mercedes) is thrilled to be working at Ivoryton Playhouse where he just appeared in the past show, All Shook Up! Favorite theatre credits include Company, Grease, The Who’s Tommy, and Hello, Again. He is a graduate of Webster Conservatory and an alum of Interlochen Arts Academy. Thanks to his parents for their infinite support and love, my siblings, friends, and the entire Ivoryton team!
Directed by: Lawrence Thelen
Musical Director: Michael Morris
Choreographer: Todd L. Underwood
Scenic Designer: Cully Long
Costume Designer: Njaye Olds
Lighting Designer: Doug Harry
Wig Designer: Elizabeth Cipollina
Stage Manager: Laura Lynne Knowles*
* member of Actors Equity
Wednesday, August 13
French Night
Ooo,la, la! Come and enjoy a selection of french cheeses provided by the Centerbrook Cheese Shop as well as french wine from Shore Discount Liquor, Deep River. From 6:30pm before the 7:30pm performance of La Cage Aux Folles.
Wednesday, August 20
Wine and Cheese Wednesday
The bar will be open and there will be a selection of cheese and crackers to savor. Our thanks to Centerbrook Cheese Shop for being so amazing. From 6:30pm before the 7:30pm performance of La Cage Aux Folles.
Wednesday, August 27
All That Glitters
There will be Glitter Tattoos from Z Face and Body Art and fabulous masks for sale from Ivoryton’s The Hammered Edge. Bar and nibbles, too. This is the last tent event of the season. Come and celebrate with us! From 6:30pm before the 7:30pm performance of La Cage Aux Folles.
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SOLD OUT! THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS GREAT CAUSE!!
Help stamp out homelessness in Middlesex County – join the End in Ten campaign at the Ivoryton Playhouse for an evening of sweet treats and a hilarious live performance of the hit musical “La Cage aux Folles”.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
• 6 p.m.: Dessert, wine and coffee under the tent
• 7:30 p.m.: Curtain time
• Intermission: Cordial tasting and chocolates on the patio All proceeds benefit the efforts of the Middlesex Coalition on Housing & Homelessness to prevent and end homelessness.
Tickets for this benefit are $60 each for general seating or $100 each for premium seating and your name listed in the program.
All tickets can be picked up at the hospitality tent on the night of the event.
Following this link to purchase tickets for this event and support this worthwhile cause.
Check back here for video clips, photos and more.
Press Release July 23, 2014
David Edwards* stars as Albin in “La Cage”
The Best of Times is Now! La Cage Aux Folles at the Ivoryton Playhouse
Ivoryton: It’s the dog days of summer but in Ivoryton, August is kicking its way through the heat in feathers, glitter and six inch heels! LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, the smash hit Broadway musical opens in Ivoryton on August 6th and runs through August 31st. Written by Harvey Fierstein, Jean Poiret and Jerry Herman, the original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. LA CAGE was later turned into a popular movie, The Birdcage, starring Nathan Lane and Robin Williams.
The Cagelles!
After twenty years of un-wedded bliss Georges and Albin, two men partnered for better-or-worse get a bit of both when Georges’ son announces his impending marriage to the daughter of a bigoted, narrow-minded politician. Albin tries to help by making a perfect family with hilarious results. Further complicating the situation, Albin and Georges run a drag nightclub in St. Tropez, where Albin is the star performer ‘Zaza.’ Georges reluctantly agrees to masquerade as “normal” when he meets the family of the bride-to-be. But Albin has other plans, with hilarious results.
Georges (James Van Treuren*), Jacob (Phil Young) and Albin (David Edwards*)
The show features some beautiful songs by Jerry Herman including I Am What I Am and Song on the Sand, and some hilarious situations. But, more than anything else, LA CAGE is an old fashioned love story wrapped in feathers, sprinkled with glitter and tied with a bow. This wild and warmhearted farce about the importance of nonconformity and being true to oneself will appeal to audiences of all ages.
James Van Treuren* stars as Georges in “La Cage” open now
Directed by Lawrence Thelen, choreographed by Todd Underwood and musical directed by Michael Morris, the show features David Edwards* as Albin and James Van Treuren* as Georges. Edwards has appeared on Broadway in BY JEEVES and THE ROTHSCHILDS and Van Treuren was in THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL. Both actors have performed these roles before and are good friends on and off stage. Zach Trimmer* is reviving the role of Jean Michel for his third time; marTina Vidmar* is Jacqueline; Frank Calamaro* of Chester is Ms. Dindon and Samantha Talmadge of Groton is Mme. Dindon
The set is designed by Cully Long, lighting by Doug Harry, wigs by Liz Cipollina and costumes by Njaye Olds.
“La Cage Aux Folles” runs at the Ivoryton Playhouse until August 31st
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES opens in Ivoryton on August 6th and runs through August 31st. Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm. There are 2 extra matinees for this show on Saturday August 16th and 23rd at 2pm. Tickets are $42 for adults, $37 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.
Generously sponsored by: Sennheiser and Webster Bank
Members of the press are welcome at any performance. Please call ahead for tickets.
Photo by Rosemary Picarelli
*member of Actors Equity
Looking for something to do? Ivoryton Playhouse was voted Best Place to See Live Theatre by the readers of the Shoreline Times! Come and visit Essex and see a show at this Connecticut historic treasure!