Douglas Hodge Compares LA CAGE to Pinter

Classically trained actor and Pinter enthusiast Douglas Hodge will take the Broadway stage later this month in the revival of the hit musical LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. Hodge, who earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of Albin in the London run of this production, recently spoke with the New York Times on his transition from Pinter to playing a drag queen.

In discussing the role, Hodge said, "This character is needy in the extreme, full of terribly complex emotions and impulses, as Albin, as Zaza, as Mother. ‘La Cage' is not a Pinter play, but Albin shares the desperation and yearning of big Pinter characters. That's what I want to bring out here."

Hodge has a very personal relationship with Pinter. He starred alongside the playwright in the 1993 production of Pinter's NO MAN's LAND, in which Pinter himself played the lead role. "Harold and I became great friends, and the truth is he became a second father to me. He was someone I could talk to and confide in very easily. And I felt I was very like him. I just didn't have his genius."

To read the full article from the New York Times, click here.

The Broadway revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES held its first preview production at the Longacre Theatre, on Tuesday, April 6 in preparation for an April 18th opening.

This freshly reconceived production opened to unanimous rave reviews and won the 2009 Olivier Awards for Best Musical Revival and Best Actor in a Musical for star Douglas Hodge, who will make his Broadway debut as Albin.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES features music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, book by Harvey Fierstein, based on the play, La Cage aux Folles, by Jean Poiret. The production is choreographed by Lynne Page and directed by Terry Johnson. The show stars Kelsey Grammer, Douglas Hodge, Fred Applegate, Veanne Cox, Chris Hoch, A.J. Shively, Elena Shaddow, Robin de Jesus and Christine Andreas.

The original production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES was one of Broadway's biggest hits of the 1980s. It opened August 21, 1983 at the Palace Theatre, where it played for over four years and 1,761 performances. The show won six Tony Awards in 1984, including Best Musical, Best Score (Jerry Herman) and Best Book (Harvey Fierstein).

The Menier Chocolate Factory production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES played from November 23, 2007 to March 8, 2008, earning across the board raves and moving to the West End's Playhouse Theatre on October 30, 2008, where it is still selling out and delighting audiences.

The production features set design by Tim Shortall, costume design by Matthew Wright and lighting design by Nick Richings. Orchestrations are by Jason Carr. Wig and makeup design is by Richard Mawbey.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride