La Cage aux Folles to close 1 May

The Tony Award-winning revival of La Cage aux Folles will play its final performance at the Longacre Theatre on 1 May 2011, the musical had been booking through to 3 Jul 2011.

When the show closes it will have played 15 previews and 433 regular performances.

The producers said, "We're sorry to have to announce the final weeks of this exuberant production, which has brought great joy to audiences for the last year, as well as to everyone who has worked on the show, on stage and off. But we were thrilled to present Terry Johnson's brilliant production to great acclaim in New York and now, the rest of the country will discover this wonderful new LA CAGE on national tour this fall. In the meantime, we will enjoy 'The Best of Times' while they last at the Longacre, with the wonderful Harvey Fierstein and Christopher Sieber leading our brilliant Broadway company."

La Cage aux Folles opened at the Longacre Theatre on 18 Apr 2010, following previews from 6 Mar 2010.

The musical opened to excellent reviews: A Wild success (newyorktheatreguide); Warm, winning production (NY Times); Emotionally affecting (AP) Funny, heartwarming and terrific (Variety).

La Cage aux Folles stars Harvey Fierstein as 'Albin,' Christopher Sieber as 'Georges,' Mike McShane as 'M. Dindon/M. Renaud,' Veanne Cox as 'Mme. Dindon/Mme. Renaud,' Chris Hoch as 'Francis,' Heather Lindell as 'Anne,' A.J. Shively as 'Jean-Michel,' Christine Andreas as 'Jacqueline,' Wilson Jermaine Heredia as 'Jacob,' Ashley Kate Adams as 'Colette,' Michael Lowney as 'Etienne' and Bruce Winant as 'Tabarro.'

Also starring as the notorious and dangerous Cagelles are Matt Anctil as 'Angelique,' Sean Patrick Doyle as 'Chantal,' Yurel Echezarreta as 'Phaedra,' Logan Keslar as 'Bitelle,' Terry Lavell as 'Mercedes' and Karl Warden as Hanna. The production also features Christophe Caballero, Todd Lattimore, Dale Hensley, Caitlin Mundth and Cheryl Stern.

The original cast starred Kelsey Grammer as 'Georges' and Douglas Hodge (Albin/Zaza). Their roles were assumed by Harvey Fierstein< (Albin) and Jeffrey Tambor on 15 Feb 2011. However, Tambor withdrew from the role on 24 Feb 2011. As a result Christopher Sieber was cast in the role of 'Georges', assuming the role on 11 Mar 2011.

According to the producers Tambor withdrew from the production because the star "was experiencing complications from recent hip surgery and the pain and the challenge of performing in a musical eight times a week proved to be too physically demanding. We respect his talent enormously and regretfully accept his withdrawal from the production."

However, according to a report by Michael Riedel of the New York Post, Tambor 'withdrew' because he was stuggling vocally, and complaining that the producers do not have faith in him.

Georges is the suave owner of a glitzy drag club on the French Riviera. Partnered romantically with his high-strung star performer, Albin, 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.

La Cage aux Folles features music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Harvey Fierstein, based on the play by Jean Poiret. This production is choreographed by Lynne Page and directed by Terry Johnson, who won a 2010 Tony Award for his helming of the production.

La Cage aux Folles won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, as well as Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical (Douglas Hodge) and Best Director of a Musical (Terry Johnson).

La Cage aux Folles played from 23 Nov 2007 to 8 Mar 2008 at the Menier Chocolate Factory, before transferring to the West End's Playhouse Theatre on 30 Oct 2008, where it was nominated for seven 2009 Olivier Awards, winning for Best Musical Revival and Best Actor in a Musical for Douglas Hodge and won the 2009 Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Musical. The Broadway production opened at the Longacre Theatre on April 18, 2010.

La Cage aux Folles features set design by Tim Shortall, costume design by Matthew Wright, lighting design by Nick Richings and sound design by Jonathan Deans.