RIALTO CHATTER: LA CAGE AUX 'MANDY'?

The New York Post's Michael Riedel reports today in his 'Broadway Matinee' column in the The New York Post that stage and screen star Mandy Patinkin is keen to join the upcoming Broadway transfer of London's critically acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory production of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy LA CAGE AUX FOLLES.

The Tony winning Patinkin hasn't starred in a Broadway production since 2000's THE WILD PARTY.

Riedel reveals that 'LA CAGE' book writer, Rialto royalty Harvey Fierstein gives his blessing of Patinkin essaying the role of 'Georges', he remarked to the Post that, "First of all, he'll sing those songs [by Jerry Herman] beautifully. Second, he's a great actor. And third, I know how much he values his family, and that is what 'La Cage' is really about -- family."

To read the article on The New York Post click here.

This freshly reconceived production of 'LA CAGE' 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.

Douglas Hodge is appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association. The producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity Association for its assistance to this production.

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.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.