La Cage aux Folles

Post author:Jacqueline Parker
Post published:September 7, 2026
Reading time:4 mins read

La Cage aux Folles

The Carnegie, Covington, KY, August 21, 2026

Reviewed by Jacqueline Parker

Photos by Mikki Schaffner

With sharp, fond memories of the this show’s original Jerry Herman (music and lyrics) and Harvey Fierstein (book) production from over four decades ago, I was gratified to see that no one fell into the trap of “reimagining” or “reinventing” a treasure that was perfect the way it was. And it is now perfect the way it is. What do I mean by this? Instead of the currently popular deconstructing in the name of modernizing to make a piece relevant, the powers that be behind this production chose instead to gently and effectively take this marvelous work and nudge it from its adolescence into its rightful adulthood. Skillful direction and superb choreography were key elements here. With a mere soupçon of Bob Fosse tossed in and a dollop of Cabaret, this is the version for now. While the original pushed the envelope—so to speak—as far as it could reasonably go for an audience at that time, now it gets coaxed and even tickled into the more mature sensibility of 2026.

In a theater much smaller than the show’s original birthplace, the Palace Theatre on Broadway, this talented group was able to capitalize on the smaller size by having the six Cagelles parade up and down the aisles, letting the audience get a good look at their transformation. They entered first as Southern belles in pastel dresses and carrying parasols. Their many costume changes devolved into sexier and even raunchy garb, with colors changing along with the styles. They interacted with the audience several times as they showed off their finery and talent, adding to the evening’s excitement and delighting the crowd.

Kevin Kelly as Georges and Josh Walden as Albin

There was no spectacle to distract from the essence of what was happening here. This is a love story, pure and simple, and the audience never lost sight of that. Act One’s touching “Song on the Sand” performed by Kevin Kelly (as Georges) was reprised later with his counterpart Josh Walden (as Albin). It was one of the many highlights. This song is frequently included in cabaret acts, and I’ve never heard it done more convincingly. The most prominent song, which has become an almost universal anthem, is “I Am What I Am.” Sometimes it’s sung with a tinge of anger, as it was by George Hearn in the original production. While that was moving and appropriate then, Walden infused the song with a pathos and desperation that were heart-wrenching.

Mention must be made of Walden doing double duty in this productions by playing Albin and serving as choreographer. An example of his skill in this regard was his ability to depict the gritty nature of La Cage the nightclub by gradually introducing more risqué movements as the story progressed. The lyrics describe quite clearly the nature of this club, but the visual impact was powerful. Kudos as well to Rachel M. Stevens as show’s director and John Faas for his multitude of stunning costumes.

Congratulations to The Carnegie for creating such a splendid event. There was a pre-show show of sorts to get the audience members in the mood, There they could have a drink in a pool-like setting that had lifeguards and caftan queens to chat with.

This was a joyous occasion, well worth the effort to get to Covington. The audience joined in singing “The Best of Times” to conclude this evening. Worth noting are comments from two savvy New Yorkers:

“Walden is giving one of the best musical theater performances I’ve ever seen. His Albin is a triumph. Wish I could see it again.”

“Happily I saw the show last night and thought his [Walden’s] performance was one of the best I’ve ever seen in a musical. Just unbelievably impressed!”

Tags: ASA, composer, I Am What I Am, Kentucky, Josh Walden, Covington, Song on the Sand, George Hearn, American Songbook Association, Clubs, Jacqueline Parker, The Carnegie, Kevin Kelly, Rachel M. Stevens, John Faas, Mikki Schaffner., Harvey Fierstein, Broadway, Cabaret, Broadway Musicals, Bob Fosse, Jerry Herman, American Songbook, Lyricist, CD, Reviews, Cabaret Reviews, La Cage aux Folles, Cabaret Scenes

Jacqueline Parker

Like Ethel Merman, lifelong New Yorker Jacqueline Parker began her career as a stenographer. She spent more than two decades at the city's premier public agency, progressing through positions of increased responsibility after earning her BA in English from New York University (3.5 GPA/Dean’s List). She won national awards for her work in public relations and communication and had the privilege of working in the House of Commons for Stephen Ross, later Lord Ross of Newport. In the second half of her career, Jacqueline brought her innate organizational skills and creative talents to a variety of positions. While distinguishing herself in executive search, she also gave her talents to publishing, politics, writing, radio broadcasting and Delmonico's Restaurant. Most recently, she hosted Anything Goes! a radio show that paid homage to Cole Porter and by extension the world of Broadway musicals and the Great American Songbook. Other features of the show were New York living, classical music, books, restaurants, architecture and politics. This show highlighted the current Broadway scene, both in New York and around the country through performances and interviews with luminaries including Len Cariou, Charles Strouse, Laura Osnes, Steve Ross and Joan Copeland. Her pandemic project was immersion into the life, times and work of Alfred Hitchcock, about whom she has written a soon-to-be-published article. Jacqueline has been involved in a myriad of charitable causes, most notably the Walt Frazier Youth Foundation, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Sisters of Life, York Theatre, and the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival. She is a proud Founder of Hidden Water. Her greatest accomplishment is the parenting of her son, a lawyer specializing in mediation. She has many pretend grandchildren, nieces and nephews, on whom she dotes shamelessly, as well as a large circle of friends to whom she is devoted. Her interests in addition to theater and cabaret are cooking, entertaining, reading, and spending time on Queen Mary 2.