Michael de Mesa Makes Georges the Perfect Counterbalance To Zaza

Robin Williams memorably played this role as the father of the groom, in The Birdcage, the movie version of La Cage Aux Folles.  Local veteran actor Michael de Mesa played a more subdued version of the role but was nevertheless funny and firm, especially that his role required him to meet the demands of both his son and his partner!

I think this is the first time I've seen him sing, and he can definitely carry a tune!  And he provided the perfect counterbalance to the live wire act which Audie's character had to provide!

Steven Silva: A Wonderful Revelation in La Cage Aux Folles!

I first met Steven Silva in an elevator ride but since his friend Raffy Rosell was with him, it was Raffy and I who got to talk and Raffy never got to introduce Steven to me since the ride was short.

Anyway, he was such a revelation onstage as he played the son of Michael de Mesa and Audie Gemora, a very crucial role in the musical, La Cage Aux Folles. I remember the actor who played this role in The Birdcage was very handsome!

Steven naman is cute and charming in his own right, and he can really sing!  I actually felt nervous for him because in some scenes, he had to sing - and dance - with the veterans, Michael de Mesa and Audie Gemora!      

Outside the stage, he did seem a bit shy, especially in meeting the audience theater-goers, but he was very gracious when he met our group.

I might be mistaken but the girl who played his girlfriend should be the daughter of ballerina legend Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.  They had the same apelyido kasi (her name is Missy) and she did many ballet moves in her scenes.  Actually, they looked cute together as a couple! 

Audie Gemora Gives Masterful Performance in La Cage Aux Folles

To Manila theatre goers, Audie Gemora is like a godfather who's always there to either grace the stage or be behind the stage and make sure everything works in the play production.

I believe he really outdid himself when he played Albin/Zaza in the local theatrical production of La Cage Aux Folles which we saw last night with my friends! Nathan Lane played the movie version (The Birdcage) of this role and he was hilarious in it.

But Audie takes the role into a higher level and makes the character all his own! I was literally seeing Albin/Zaza in a totally different light! Audie's voice is amazing and I'm sure he really worked hard to sound that great!

It was one of the best performances I had ever seen by a local actor in a local production. He just really owned the stage - and practically taught every other actor - how it's really done! Kung sa Tagalog pa, may K talaga sya magtrain ng mga bata sa theater - because his work is by itself a master class altogether.