Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

Local Community Colleges Shine with Great Musical Productions

Setzer gives a performance worthy of standing ovation. His solos are heart felt. His singing is brilliant. He gives Nathan Lane a run for his money.  

Jennifer King, head of the Theatre Department at Napa Valley College, directs a family musical of a different feather. “La Cage Aux Folles,” translates to “the Bird Cage,” which happens to be the actual title of the American film adaptation that features Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. Napa Valley College’s production promises to dazzle, entertain, and touch the heart. Besides the great musical numbers in the production, the story is moving. It breaths new life on the Napa Valley College stage, as it features many local talented performers.

The 1983 Broadway Musical won 9 Tony Awards, including Best Musical of that year. It takes place in St. Tropez, where male partners, George and Albin manage a cabaret club. George (Dodds Delzell) appears with a cabaret emcee suit. Dezell plays George with an underlying tonality. He clearly displays his love for his partner Albin. Then, the chorus of Cagelles, the cabaret performers, complete outrageous numbers. Albin (Tim Setzer) is the featured diva of the cabaret. Setzer gives a performance worthy of standing ovation. His solos are heart felt. His singing is brilliant. He gives Nathan Lane a run for his money.

George and Albin receive a visit from their son, Jean -Michel (Jake Maddux). Jean-Michel announces that he is engaged to Anne (Monica Hersey) . It is enough that Jean-Michel is engaged, but he falls in love with a daughter of a conservative politician who vows to close all the “gay” clubs in St. Tropez. Jean-Michel persuades his biological father that they must pretend to be a “straight” family. Therefore, Albin, who actually has been a real mother to Jean-Michel must not present to meet the new in-laws. George agrees, but resentfully, and pleads Jean-Michel’s biological mother, Jacqueline (Barbara Nemko) to pretend that they are married. Albin, who is hurt and outraged, finally accepts out of his love for his son. Eventually, mishaps create amusing challenges to their charades, which all manifests into a forgiving conclusion.

Maddux, as the loving son, is a young musical performer with much potential. His solos are also magnificent and moving. Hersey is charming as Anne. Performers Bill Shea and Loretta Young give much shape and personality to their roles as Anne’s pious and conservative parents. Dreamweaver’s Theatre regular actress, Barbara Nemko, makes her debut at NVC in her role as Jacqueline. Nemko carries herself very well on a bigger stage. With the professional direction of King, Nemko has grown immensely as a performer.

The drag maid was always a favorite character in the musical and the movie. Performer, Nolan Kenmouth, another regular of local Napa theatre, gives one of his best character performances yet. He aprobiately goes for the over kill in his flirtatious gestures. Kenmouth is suited for comedy, indeed.

Jay Rogers, a Napa Valley College drama student, demonstrates his expansive versatility as a performer. In NVC’s previous production of Thorton Wilder’s “Our Town,” Rogers is the all American jock in his performance as George Gibbs. In “La Cage,” Rogers completely transforms into a whole another role as a drag dominatrix, Hannah. As Hannah, his wild cackling and feminine movements are outrageously comedic.

Of the ensemble, the many talented singers and dancers are just rich icing that layer upon this delicious production. I highly recommend taking the family. The costumes are tastefully presentable, thanks to the fine work of costume designer, Jan Molen. Mike Barney’s fantastic set design draws the audience into the quaintness of a coastal French town. George and Albin’s lavish flat revolves around to become the night club, La Cage Aux Folles. It inspires us to accept our differences, and reach out to those who care and love us. Great job, Napa Valley College!

“La Cage aux Folles” continues on weekends through April 20. Performances are April 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and April 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for students and seniors, and $18 general. Napa Valley College Theater is at 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway, Napa. Info and tickets, 259-8077.

Be Sociable, Share!

•