La Cage Aux Folles

So, I wouldn't say this show was ruined by Graham Norton, but it came pretty close. It was a great little production, high energy and lots of fun. However, you have to question how anyone decided that casting Graham Norton as Albin (that's Nathan Lane in "The Birdcage"), who is the crazy flamboyant, nightclub-headlining star of the show, was a good idea. First off, as the lead in a musical, you usually have to be able to sing. Now, I'm going to give Graham Norton props in that he knows he can't sing, and he still gave it his all. But really, it's kind of sad to hear all these songs and think, "hm, I bet in a show with a real musical theater actor, this nice duet would have a harmony" (sure enough, listening to the soundtrack, it did). My friends thought, "oh, I thought he was supposed to be flat and emotionless, like he was an over-the-hill actor," which, even if he was, he shouldn't let it transfer to the parts where he's not playing an over-the-hill actor. Yeah, unfortunate.

In any case, the rest of the show, quite good. Lots of energy, lots of fun, very impressive and ridiculously buff drag queens, and some great singing by Albin's husband and son, and Chez Jacqueline. Worth checking out, just wait until Graham finishes up his run.