DOWNTOWN Magazine was present for an invited dress rehearsal of New York City Center’s Encores! staging of La Cage aux Folles last night! Emmy winner Wayne Brady (Whose Line is it Anyway?) led a luminous all-Black cast.

The production also starred Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winner Billy Porter (Pose, Encores! Jelly’s Last Jam, Kinky Boots), James Jackson Jr. ( A Strange Loop), and the glorious Tonya Pinkins (Encores!’ Wild Party). PRIDE shone across the catwalk stage. A 28-piece orchestra filled the theater with music. 

These lush orchestrations have not been performed since 1983, when they debuted on Broadway.

Wayne Brady stepped out from behind the red velvet curtains into the spotlight. His voice and panache embodied pure showmanship.

The ensuing cheers echoed why La Cage aux Folles exists. Queer Black Joy spoken here, with exquisite diction and flair only Brady can deliver. He is the calm before the storm, embodied by the diva that is Billy Porter. A perfect pairing, this presentation of La Cage aux Folles is directed by Robert O’Hara (Encores!’ Jelly’s Last Jam). 

New York City Center’s Artistic Director Jenny Gersten opened the evening’s performance giving a shout out and special thanks to Harvey Fierstein, seated in the audience, front and center, crediting him for the multiple Tony Award winning musical adaptation and book of La Cage aux Folles along with the late Jerry Herman whose stunning music and lyrics are still revered today (A Little More Mascara). 

La Cage aux Folles is a comedy about love, the true meaning of family and acceptance. Set in the French Riviera, we’re on stage at the greatest drag show hosted by Georges (Wayne Brady) and his longtime companion Albin (Billy Porter) as the star performer “Zaza” who is absolute perfection.

The two are 20 years happily living their stage life in marital bliss until their son Jean-Michel announces he’s invited his bride-to-be and parents to dinner. Art imitates life in this production, as timely as ever with Andrew McCarthy’s portrayal of the right-winged politician and his wife who are coming to dinner. The entire cast is brimming with personality not to be contained, by costume or circumstance.

 

Billy Porter’s rendition of “I Am, What I Am” was a showstopper with the entire New York City Center audience from the orchestra to the rafters on their feet cheering. The choreography by Edgar Godineaux was exceptional with a special treat of Tap Choreography by Dormeshia performed by the young lovers. Not to miss this limited engagement production!

The ensemble cast will have you in hysterics and may tell you a thing or two from the stage!!

Happy Opening to Cast & Creatives of La Cage aux Folles at New York City Center! Book those tickets now June 17th – June 28th. ASL Performance June 25th. Run time is 2 hours and 45 minutes with one intermission. Everyone left with smiles beaming of pride. Downtown Magazine hopes you will too! Tickets at nycitycenter.org

 

About New York City Center

New York City Center, Manhattan’s first performing arts center, opened in 1943. Mayor Fiorello La Guardia saved the Shriners’ neo-Moorish Mecca Temple from demolition. Its mission was simple: make great dance, theater, and music affordable for all New Yorkers. That mission continues today. For more than 80 years, City Center has hosted legendary artists and landmark moments in dance, music, and theater.

In 1994, the beloved Encores! series began, celebrating American musical theater with three annual revivals.

The 1996 Encores! production of Chicago transferred to Broadway, where it remains the longest-running revival in history. Over the last five years, New York City Center has expanded its musical theater, dance, and education programming. It has also welcomed more audiences than ever.

Four musical theater productions transferred to Broadway: Into the Woods, Once Upon A Martress, Parade (2023 Tony Award Best Musical Revival), and Ragtime (2026 Tony Award Best Musical Revival, Best Actor & Actress).