Backstage at La Cage with Nick Adams Week Three

Broadway performer Nick Adams survived his third and fourth weeks of rehearsals for the upcoming revival of La Cage Aux Folles (opening at the Longacre Theater in New York on April 18) and brings The Advocate along for the ride.

Week three of the extravaganza that is La Cage aux Folles rehearsal took the show on the road: The Cagelles went on a field trip together. With signed permission slips in tow, we boarded a shuttle bus and traveled up to Yonkers to rehearse in a scenic shop. Here we found a massive welded birdcage inside of a cold cement garage. It was here in Yonkers where we learned choreography that crucially involves the cage--pole dancing and all. Wait until you see this number. The boys have pulled even more impressive tricks out of their dance belts.

Back at the ranch (the Hilton Theatre) we finally began to run the show and see what exactly it is we have. This is always my favorite time in rehearsal, when you start to see the living, breathing show that we have taken part in creating. We also met new cast member Sean Carmen. One of our "ladies" had an unfortunately impairing injury and we hope for his fast recovery and return.

Week four was all about running the show and perfecting the use of our hot wheels. Yep, we got skates. We concluded our time in the rehearsal room and began anticipation for our move to the Longacre Theatre. We ended the week with our sitzprobe, the rehearsal where we at long last sit and sing with the orchestra. This is always an extremely thrilling part of the process. I love being overwhelmed with emotion when hearing the score fully realized. It's beautiful seeing the excitement of the first timers and sharing it with them. It's a day that is never forgotten.

Tech week is next!