La Cage aux Folles Tickets

Before summer becomes a faded rose, enjoy the musical revival La Cage aux Folles beneath the stars at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. The Olivier- and Tony Award-winning musical features music and lyrics by Hello, Dolly! creator Jerry Herman and a book by Harvey Fierstein. Book La Cage aux Folles tickets on TodayTix.

La Cage aux Folles follows a gay couple in the French Riviera who pretend to be straight for an evening to appease their son’s future in-laws — to hilarious effect. With banner anthems like “I Am What I Am,” the musical celebrates acceptance, love, and family, messages that have moved audiences time and time again. The musical’s Broadway premiere earned six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score, and a 2008 London production won Best Musical Revival.

As Variety described a 2010 Broadway revival, “one should raise a glass of champagne — not the watered-down stuff — to Herman and Fierstein. Their big, glitzy musical comedy hit of 1983 turns out to have a tender heart.”

Head to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre this summer to join the fun.

Access performances Captioned: Friday 1 September, 7.45pm BSL Performances: Tuesday 29 August, 7.45pm Audio Described & Touch Tour: Saturday 2 September, 2.15pm

Please Note: The production contains loud whip crack sounds and addresses themes of transphobia, homophobia and misogyny.

The La Cage aux Folles musical is based on Jean Poiret’s 1973 French play of the same name. Georges is the owner of a drag nightclub in Saint-Tropez, and his romantic partner Albin, known as the fabulous Zaza, is the site’s main attraction. Georges’s son Jean-Michael — spawned from a one-night stand with a chorus girl — has reservations about introducing Georges and Albin to his fiancé’s conservative parents.

When a dinner brings the families together, Jean-Michael pleads for normalcy and wants Albin to appear as macho “Uncle Al.” But Georges and Albin (in drag) attempt to swindle the ultra-conservative family.

The musical first bowed on Broadway in 1983, then appeared on the West End in 1985. A 2008 revival at the Menier Chocolate Factory then transferred to Broadway in 2010. Timothy Sheader, the artistic director of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, stages this summer’s London production.

What to Watch For:

• The story of La Cage aux Folles has staying power. Poiret’s 1973 farce also inspired the 1978 French film and the 1997 blockbuster The Birdcage, starring Nathan Lane and Robin Williams.
• La Cage aux Folles was the first Broadway musical to center a gay couple.
• Albin’s number “A Little More Mascara” and “We Are What We Are,” performed by the chorus, have become anthems for the LGBT community.
• Jerry Herman’s other hit musicals include Mame and Hello, Dolly! He’s earned four total Tonys for his work, including one for lifetime achievement.
• Harvey Fierstein is a strong advocate for gay rights. Fierstein’s Tony Award-winning Torch Song Trilogy also explores how gay couples can build fulfilling family lives.