(PRWEB) December 9, 2005 -- The Best of Times is Now at Plays & Players Theater with La Cage Aux Folles opening Friday, December 16th at 8pm and running Saturday, December 17th at 2pm and 8pm; Sunday, December 18th at 2pm; Thursday, December 29th at 8pm; Friday, December 30th at 8pm; and Saturday, December 31st at 2pm and closing at 8pm with a New Year’s Eve show and party package. The Tony Award winning Best Musical features a book by Harvey Fierstein and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman. Plays and Players Theater is located at 1714 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA. Tickets are available at the Plays & Players box office 30 minutes before show time. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, or free for members and one guest.
La Cage Aux Folles is a boisterous and uplifting celebration of love and family in an untraditional setting, filled with outlandish costumes, extravagant sets and a snazzy Jerry Herman score, including The Best of Times, I Am What I Am and of course the title song, La Cage Aux Folles. The inspiration for the 1996 film The Birdcage, which starred Robin Williams, Nathan Lane and Hank Azaria to name a few, “La Cage Aux Folles” tells the story of Albin (Lance Moore) and George (Ray Smith), two middle-aged partners who run a drag nightclub. Their outrageously resplendent peace turns to mayhem when their son (Tyler Horn) announces that he is getting married to the daughter (Lori Reed) of a local morals crusader (AJ Kelly) and his wife (Carmen DiFelice). What ensues is a hilarious collision of the future in-laws. When the ill-conceived attempt to replace Albin with the son’s birth mother backfires, Albin’s solution is both ingenious and uproarious! The rest of the talented cast includes: Tommy Coleman, Ginger Dayle, Vessa Fulton, Linda Gryn, AJ Makibbin, Jim McCaffrey, Ian Morrison, Lisa Panzer and Miranda Thompson.
La Cage Aux Folles debuted on Broadway in 1983 with a cast that featured George Hearn as Albin and Gene Barry as George. The original production earned six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and enjoyed a run of 1,761 performances. In 2004, the show was revived on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre, received four nominations and garnered two more Tonys, Best Revival of a Musical and Best Choreography. Plays and Players’ production rejoins the creative team of Director Bill Egan and Musical Director Lance Moore of Plays Player’s productions, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and The Secret Garden, with Choreographer Michelle Dempsey. Chairman of Productions Linda Gryn said, “’La Cage Aux Folles’ promises to be a fierce and funny dazzler from start to finish!”
Tickets for La Cage Aux Folles are available at the Plays & Players box office, 1714 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, thirty minutes before show time. New Year’s Eve package details can be found and advance tickets can be purchased at www.plays-players.org or by calling (215) 735-0630. Plays & Players members and family subscribers attend the show for free. Groups of 15 or more receive a special 10% discount on the ticket price by calling (215) 735-0630.
Plays and Players is one of the oldest continuously operating community theaters in America. It has remained open since its first production and has produced theater through world wars and the Depression. Historically, Plays & Players is a gemstone. It was the home of the First Korean Congress in 1919. Housed in the theater are original murals painted by Edith Emerson as well as historical tiles, which decorate the lobby.
Plays & Players is dedicated to enhancing the community’s interest in the arts, providing a free forum for community members to actively participate in theater, and to maintain and oversee the operations of the historically registered playhouse. Visit www.plays-players.org or call (215) 735-0630 for information about upcoming productions, auditions, social programs and rental opportunities.
