La Cage aux Folles: Fred Applegate joins cast

Fred Applegate has joined the cast of the critically-acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning Menier Chocolate Factory production of La Cage aux Folles, playing the roles of 'Edouard Dindon,' the rigidly conservative head of the Tradition, Family and Morality Party and café owner 'M. Renaud.'

La Cage aux Folles, starring five-time Emmy Award winner Kelsey Grammer and Olivier Award-winner Douglas Hodge, openis at the Longacre Theatre on 18 Apr 2010, following previews from 6 Mar and currently booking through to 5 Sep 2010. The production begins rehearsals in New York on 1 Mar 2010

Applegate has starred on Broadway in 'The Sound of Music,' 'The Producers 'and 'Young Frankenstein.' Other recent credits include 'Happiness' at Lincoln Center and 'Fanny 'at Encores! (as husband to Elena Shaddow, who will play his daughter in La Cage aux Folles). His credits also include the LA company of 'Beauty and the Beast' and the first national tour of 'The Producers.' His TV credits include "Newhart," "FM," "Life...and Stuff," "Woops," "Nine to Five"; recurring roles on "Cosby," "Night Court" and "Growing Pains."

La Cage aux Folles stars five-time Emmy Award-winner Kelsey Grammer as Georges and Olivier Award-winner Douglas Hodge as Albin, with A.J. Shively making his Broadway debut as 'Jean-Michel', Veanne Cox as 'Mme. Dindon/Mme. Renaud,' Robin de Jesús (In the Heights) as 'Jacob,' Christine Andreas as 'Jacqueline,' Elena Shaddow as 'Anne,' Chris Hoch as 'Francis,' Heather Lindell as 'Colette,' Bill Nolte as 'Tabarro' and David Nathan Perlow as 'Etienne.'

The production marks the Broadway musical debut for five-time Emmy Award-winning star Kelsey Grammer (Frasier) and the Broadway debut for his co-star, Douglas Hodge, recreating the critically heralded performance for which he won the 2009 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Further casting is to be announced.

La Cage aux Folles features music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Harvey Fierstein, based on the play by Jean Poiret. This freshly reconceived production is choreographed by Lynne Page and directed by Terry Johnson.

Georges (Kelsey Grammer) is the suave owner of a glitzy drag club on the French Riviera. Partnered romantically with his high-strung star performer, Albin (Douglas Hodge), the pair live a charmed life—until Georges' son announces his engagement to the daughter of a conservative right-wing politician who's coming to dinner.

The original production of La Cage aux Folles was one of the biggest Broadway hits of the 1980s. It opened 21 Aug 1983 at the Palace Theatre, where it played for over four years and 1,761 performances. The show won six Tony Awards in 1984, including Best Musical, Best Score (Jerry Herman) and Best Book (Harvey Fierstein).

The Menier Chocolate Factory production of La Cage aux Folles played from 23 Nov 2007 to 8 Mar 2008, earning across the board raves and opened at the West End's Playhouse Theatre on 30 Oct 2008 where is played until the 2 Jan 2010. The musical was nominated for seven 2009 Olivier Awards, winning for Best Musical Revival and Best Actor in a Musical for Douglas Hodge.

"This joyous show deserves every hurrah and standing ovation it receives." (Daily Telegraph); "Suddenly, the West End sparkles...a production that delights." (The Times); "Fantastic revival" (Independent); La Cage is a belter of a night out." (Daily Mail).

The creative team features set design by Tim Shortall, costume design by Matthew Wright and lighting design by Nick Richings. Orchestrations are by Jason Carr. Wig and makeup design is by Richard Mawbey.

La Cage aux Folles is being produced on Broadway by Sonia Friedman, David Babani for the Menier Chocolate Factory, Fran and Barry Weissler and Robert Bartner / Norman Tulchin.