Cinnabar Theater to Present LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, 10/18-11/3

Yes, you cancan! Cinnabar Theater in Sonoma County is transformed into one of France's finest nightclubs for "La Cage aux Folles," the exuberant show that's earned 11 Tony Awards including Best Musical. After Cinnabar presents a comedy called "The Pavilion" in September, "La Cage aux Folles" kicks off on Friday, October 18 and sashays across the stage through Sunday, November 3.

"This show is so much fun," said Elly Lichentein, Cinnabar's esteemed artistic director. "Not only is it full of irresistible songs and sassy jokes, it delivers a wonderful message about the universality of love and family. Our talented cast captures that feeling when they sing my favorite lyric from the show: 'The best of times is now. Live and love as best as you know how!'"

The "New York Times" calls "La Cage aux Folles" "an openhearted, old-style, big-time musical... Harvey Fierstein's sentimental and funny book shrewdly juxtaposes a sense of the outrageous with the oldest, established values of marriage and family."

Featuring music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, this jubilant show celebrates marriage in all its forms. A young man gets engaged, yet he's afraid to bring his fiancée's parents home. Will he hide the fact that he was raised by two men who run a risqué cabaret? Or will love conquer all at "La Cage aux Folles"? After the singing and dancing - under the costumes and glitter - it's all abouT Loving that person in the mirror.

Tickets for "La Cage aux Folles" are $35 for adults and $25 for ages 21 and under. Special $9 seats are available for middle- and high-school students as part of "Friday Night Live," a new theater party for local youth that takes place on October 18. Or score significant savings by seeing "La Cage aux Folles" as part of a subscription to three or five shows at Cinnabar.

"La Cage aux Folles" features stage direction by Sheri Lee Miller and music direction by Nancy Chun. The designers are David Lear (scenery), Clay David (costumes), and Wayne Hovey (lights). The show is generously underwritten by Karen and Mike Bergin of Bergin Glass with Frank Schomer.

The 14-person cast showcases Michael Van Why as Albin and Stephen Walsh as Georges alongside Madeleine Ashe (Madame Dindon), Stephen Dietz (Monsieur Dindon), Miguel Evangelista (Francis), Elly Lichenstein (Mademoiselle Renaud), Clark Miller (Monsieur Renaud), Valentina Osinksi (Jacqueline), James Pelican (Jacob), Kyle Stoner (Jean-Michel), and Audrey Tatum (Anne). The hilarious kickline of Cagelles features Joseph Favalora, Quinn Monroe, Valentina Osinksi, and Zack Turner.

Every year, Cinnabar Theater produces a thrilling mix of plays, musicals, operas, and concerts in a remarkable range of genres. Cinnabar's Young Rep offers extensive activities for local youth, and the Cinnabar Singers welcome anyone who wants to be part of a chorus. All these events take place in the iconic red schoolhouse perched atop a grassy hill on the outskirts of Petaluma.

Audiences have flocked to performances in this intimate setting since 1972, when Marvin and Jan Klebe established an arts center for the community. Along with their sons, they transformed a charming 1908 schoolhouse into a jewel-box theater that has hosted successful shows for four decades. Now Cinnabar is preparing another year of lively performances for its loyal audience.

Cinnabar Theater is located at 3333 Petaluma Boulevard North, just off Highway 101 and only minutes from historic downtown Petaluma. There's ample parking up on the hill... and a friendly herd of goats grazing in the neighboring field. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 707-763-8920 or visitcinnabartheater.org.

Photo by Eric Chazankin

To post a comment, you must register and login.