Backstage at La Cage with Nick Adams

Broadway performer Nick Adams rose to fame when he was named Best Body on Broadway while costarring with Mario Lopez in A Chorus Line. Now Adams is in rehearsals for the revival of La Cage Aux Folles, which begins previews April 6. Check back to Advocate.com over the next several weeks as Adams shares photos and stories from behind the scenes as he gears up for opening night.

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Rehearsals began March 1 with a meet-and-greet, some press photos, a rundown from producers on why this masterpiece of a show is being mounted again, and a look at the clever set design. We, of course, got down to brass tacks and began learning vocals, had a read-through, and I spent an hour being transformed from the neck up into a Cagelle. Dancing didn't begin until the second day, which of course included heels. Most of us are rehearsing in a three-inch character shoe. I'm not unfamiliar with drag, as I made my Broadway debut as a drag queen in Chicago, but this is a whole new experience. The personalities of the Cagelles are larger than life, and perhaps larger than the studio we were rehearsing in, as we moved to a much larger private space for the second week.'

- Adams, Fierstein, and his fellow Cagelles. Photo courtesy of Walter McBride for BroadwayWorld.com

Kelsey Grammer and Doug Hodge (pictured below, photo by Walter McBride for BroadwayWorld.com) are about to let the N.Y. theater scene have it. Both incredible actors bring this material to life in a tangible way.

The first week of rehearsal was all about the dance and finding our characters for us Cagelles. I was assigned the role of Angelique, "a bittersweet concoction" ... perhaps a little too bitter, and too often diabetically sweet.

"Angelique's physique is legendary, as is her attitude." Kicking our gams like true showgirls all week brought on sore bones and muscles, ripped skin, bruises, and industrial-strength Tiger Balm ... all the makings of a terrific dance show.

For more information about Nick Adams visit NickAdams.biz or follow him on Twitter.