Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (April 3, 2003)
BY SHARLEEN NELSON Glitz and Glam A W A R D -W I N N I N G M E X I C A N C U I S I N E ( F O R ME R L Y C AN CU N ) 5 0 % O FF L UN C H O R D IN NE R B u y o n e l u nc h o r d i nn e r en tr ee ge t t h e s e co nd e n tr ee o f eq u al or le s s er v a lu e a t ha l f p ri c e . Va l id an y ti me . N ot v al i d w i th an y o t he r o f fe r. Ex p i r es Ap r il 30 , 2 0 03 685 East Broadway • Eugene • 344-1091 H O U R S : 1 1 -1 0 S UN -T H UR • 1 1 -1 1 F RI -S A T Delivery available through Pony Express Fisherman’s Market Fantastic Seafood Entrées Entrées change weekly. Fresh U-Bake Sea food Fresh Crab Dinner $9.95 Good Inexpensive Wine Variety of Microbrews Orders to go: 484-CRAB 7th & Blair • Open 11-8 Mon.-Sun. MALE EXOTIC, EROTIC FUN FOR THE LADIES HOT BODY GIRLS BEFORE & AFTER SHOW Sunday April 6th Showtime 9pm 21 AND OVER ONLY • $7.00 ADVANCE • $10.00 AT DOOR www.hotbody.com 2165 W. 11TH AVENUE ✮ EUGENE ✮ 683-6021 MONDAY - FRIDAY 12-2, SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2-2 26 APRIL 3, 2003 ACE’s La Cage Aux Folles a blast. A truly good play succeeds in whisk- ing its audience away from the complexities of the outside world. ACE’s production of La Cage Aux Folles ac- complishes that and more. For all its rollicking kitsch and camp, La Cage Aux Folles is really a love story about George and Albin, a middle-aged homosex- ual couple whose 20-year relationship is put to the test. Together they own a fabulous glam palace where George plays host to a bevy of gorgeous drag queens and to the show’s grande dame, Zaza. The trouble begins when George’s 24- year-old son, Jean-Michel, the result of a brief heterosexual encounter years back, an- nounces his engagement to the daughter of Edourd Dindon, the homophobic deputy gen- eral of the morality party who is bent on shut- ting down all the transvestite clubs in town. Moreover, he’s invited the Dindons to dinner. Hoping to make a good impression on his future in-laws, but embarrassed by his fa- ther’s unconventional lifestyle, Jean-Michel requests that his biological mother, whom he’s never met, stand in for one night as his other parent. This sends Albin, who has raised him since birth, into a tailspin. Yet to accommodate him, Albin agrees to “act like a man” and pose as his Uncle Al, toning down his flamboyant apartment from the contem- porary digs of a gay couple to a holy shrine. But when the Dindon’s arrive, things quickly begin to unravel. Jean-Michel’s mother has failed to show. Dinner is ruined. Trying their best to keep up the charade, Albin sheds his manly suit and becomes Jean-Michel’s wholesome mother. While dining at a fancy, upscale restaurant the ruse is exposed, but the clever restaurant owner Jacqueline uses a little blackmail to save the day. Enough can’t be said about Kevin “KJ” Waltz’s outstanding performance as the di- vinely flamboyant Albin/Zaza. Waltz cer- tainly has that je ne sais quoi, capturing the comedy and pathos of both his onstage per- sona of diva Zaza as well as the tender and easily wounded Albin. Part drama queen, part highly sensitive creature, Waltz is a stunning and dynamic presence onstage, and his poignant rendition of “I Am What I Am” is nothing short of inspired. Bruce McCarthy puts in an equally solid performance as George. Indeed, he and Waltz compliment one another, but McCarthy de- serves as much praise. His ability to stir emo- tion and convince us of his unflagging devo- tion to Albin is evident in the delivery of such Kevin Waltz in La Cage Aux Folles tender love songs as “Look Over There” and “Song in the Sand.” Teryl Hawk is aptly cast as Anne, Jean- Michel’s sweet and demure bride-to-be. Hawk’s strong, clear vocals are particularly noted in “With You on My Arm.” Jason Darcy, however, is weak in his depiction of Jean-Michel. His performance suffers from a lack of emotion and passion. Bill Furtick is convincing as the stuffy, righteous moralist Edourd Dindon, and with his long beard he makes a most outrageous drag queen. Maida Belove-McCarthy is quite funny as Mme. Dindon. At first prudish, and then childishly all atwitter, Belove-McCarthy de- livers her lines with singsong glee. Robin Spoerl is fantastic as the couple’s sassy butler/maid Jacob. Stealing the show with his hilarious affectations and outrageous ensembles, it’s obvious that Spoerl is having a tremendous amount of fun with his role. Jennifer Sellers Andersen is très fabuleux as the classy restaurant owner, and Chris Columbus does a fine job as the show direc- tor. Last, but certainly not least, are the fabu- lous La Cagelles, an energetic mix of both male and female entertainers. Director Joe Zingo and his crew have out- done themselves with this production. The costumes are delightfully bright, gaudy and stunning. The set design is exceptional — from the club’s flashy stage equipped with twinkling marquee lights to Albin and George’s upscale apartment to the quaint sidewalk café, the action moves seamlessly from one scene to the next via revolving sets. The only problem seemed to be a lack of room onstage at times to accommodate all the La Cagelles at once, although it didn’t detract from the performance. ew EVERY THURSDAY NITE IS MOJO’S Open Mic T A L E N T C O N T E S T $50 Prize will be awarded every Thursday nite for the winning act! hosted by Jon Michaels from KKNU • Singers can bring karaoke discs for back-up • Comedians • Guitarists • Musicians • Any Performers Welcome SIGN UP - 8PM • FIRST ACT - 8:30PM I-5 Coburg Exit ★ 686-8686
