GUTHRIE — The Pollard Theatre closes its 25th season with “La Cage Aux Folles,” a delightful musical based on the play of the same name by Jan Poiret. With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein's book, artistic director W. Jerome Stevenson couldn't have picked a better show to end this great season.
Jean-Michel is in love. He returns home to announce that he is to be married. The sweet young Anne Dindon is coming to dinner along with her very conservative parents. Her mother is the vocal spokeswoman for the Morality League.
This is complicated as Jean-Michel's father is a homosexual and his stepmother is a drag queen at their successful night club next door. The solution is for stepmother Albin to become Uncle Al, but there are some hilarious last minute changes.
James A. Hughes stars as Jean-Michel's father Georges, with Michael James as his stepmother Albin. These actors work beautifully together and offer a smooth performance. James displays moments of endearing and vulnerable womanhood that brings a tear to the eyes. This long-term couple is just as protective of their nestling taking flight as any other parents.
Joshua Thomas McGowen portrays Jean-Michel and his performance is natural and right. As Anne, Emily Brown is charming. Her parents are extremely conservative, but in their way, just as outrageous as Georges and Albin.
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