Thai revival for classic French comedy La Cage Aux Folles

Bringing in an extravagant musical this month for Thai audiences, the BU Theatre Company by Bangkok University is putting together a free performance of La Cage Aux Folles at their Rangsit campus from Feb 23 to March 3. A story of love and acceptance — plus some girdles, jocks and wigs — La Cage Aux Folles tells a story of the lives revolving around a drag nightclub of the same name. Georges, owner of the club, lives happily with his “wife” and star drag queen Albin in an apartment above the club for many years. Together, they raise Georges’s son Jean-Michel — a result of a heterosexual fling in George’s youth — and are a family. Their life together is soon interrupted when the grown-up Jean-Michel arrives home with the news that he’s engaged to be married to Anne, whose ultra conservative father plans to shut down the local drag clubs. But Jean-Michel wasn’t entirely honest with his in-laws, telling them Georges is a retired diplomat and hides the truth of Albin’s existence. What follows are his attempts to impress the strict in-laws while praying that he can keep his flamboyant nature to himself. Hilarity, tears and great musical numbers — and obviously some fabulous drag queens — can be expected. La Cage Aux Folles, a musical with a book by Harvey Fierstein, is based on a 1973 French play of the same name by Jean Poiret. The original production opened on Broadway in 1983, with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman. It received nine Tony nominations, winning six, including Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical. Some of the hits from the show include the gay anthem made famous by Gloria Gaynor, I Am What I Am. In 1993, the play was loosely adapted for the screen as The Birdcage, starring Robin Williams in the lead. The Thai production is helmed by Punnasak Sukee. It stars Chanudom “Pat” Suksatit, lead singer of the Thai rock band Chanudom. Cast members include performing-arts students at Bangkok University. BU Theatre Company’s production of La Cage Aux Folles will be held at Black Box Theatre, Bangkok University (Rangsit Campus). The show opens on Feb 23 at 6pm, with another five sessions on Feb 24 (2pm and 6pm), March 2 (6pm) and March 3 (2pm and 6pm). Entry is free. The performance will be in Thai. For ticket reservations, visit butheatrecomp.