21-Mar-22 – Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book, La Cage Aux Folles is a night at the theatre you won’t soon forget. It is playing now at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Boulevard in Skokie, through April 3, 2022.

Based on the 1973 French farce that also inspired Hollywood’s The Birdcage, this Broadway smash features a hilarious book by Harvey Fierstein and a score by the king of show tunes, Jerry Herman (Hello, Dolly! and Mame).

From the moment you enter the theatre, you’re immediately transported to La Cage’s elegant Saint-Tropez nightclub, complete with “women” in cages welcoming you, an onstage bar, and tables surrounding the stage.

La Cage Aux Folles means “the cage of crazy women,” and is a reference to those who performed as drag queens at the time. Opening on Broadway in 1983, La Cage broke barriers by becoming the first hit Broadway musical centered on a same-sex relationship.

One only has to think about how far we’ve come as a society from the days when this play premiered. I Am What I Am is the perfect anthem for everyone – live your own life and do not make excuses for being true to yourself.

The cast belts it loud and clear. The dynamic role of gender has never been so contemporary. (Left) Ginger Minj sings the first act finale.

Georges is the owner of “La Cage,” and his longtime lover, “Zaza,” is the star. When their son, Jean-Michel, announces his engagement to Anne, the trouble begins, especially when they find out Anne’s father is a very conservative government official, running for office.

With plenty of audience interaction, the musical is filled with not one, but two show-stopping hits you’ll be humming as you leave the show.

The musical stars RuPaul’s Drag Race headliner Ginger Minj as Albin, and he/she is beyond fabulous. She sings, acts, and creates an exceptional performance with a touch of whimsy. And, oh, those exquisite wigs designed by David Ian Grant!

Jason Richards makes his Music Theatre Works debut as Georges. He’s got a great voice and excellent stage presence as the emcee of his club.

He demonstrates a sense of vulnerability, afraid to hurt his lover. (Right) Jason Richards (left in photo) and Ginger Minj.

Standouts also include Dane Strange as Jacob, who has all the comedic moves to keep the audience in stitches, and Caron Buinis, with her operatic voice.

Kudos to Project Runway designer Justin LeBlanc for his costumes that are over-the-top sparkly, flashy, and gorgeous. And to choreographer Christopher Carter, whose dance moves, especially for male bodies, are fabulous.

Artistic director Kyle Dougan directs the show with passion and purpose. “This musical is a love letter to those who have fought for our rights,” said Dougan.

As with many shows of this type, the dancers are so graceful, it’s hard to believe their gender.

This is the first show of the season for Music Theatre Works. The rest of the season includes The Little Mermaid (through April 3), Zorro (August 11-21), Camelot (October 20 - November 13), and White Christmas (December 15 - January 1).