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The Birdcage

The Birdcage, an adaption of the French film La Cage Au Folles, starred Robin Williams and Nathan Lane (who received an Oscar nomination for his performance) and was directed by Mike Nichols.

"It Takes All Kinds" was written to play under the opening title as we are taken into the titular club. Ultimately, Nichols decided to use the well known "We Are Family" instead.

"Little Dream" was a song written supposedly for Robin Williams' character, so it presented Sondheim with a similar problem to the one he had with "Sand" from Singing Out Loud, writing a number which is a character's idea of a good song, something he thinks works, but really doesn't. Good or bad, only about thirty seconds of it remains in the film.

- Bruce Kimmel


 


Film Data


Original Film Production Info:

USA Release Date 8 March 1996
Director Mike Nichols
Music Stephen Sondheim
  Mark Mothersbaugh
  Jonathan Tunick
Writers Marcello Danon
  Elaine May
  Edouard Molinaro
  Jean Poiret
  Francis Veber
Producers Marcello Danon
  Michele Imperato
  Neil A. Machlis
  Mike Nichols
Production Design Bo Welch
Cinematography Emmanuel Lubezki
Set Designer Sean Haworth
Costume Designer Ann Roth


Original Film Cast:

Armand Goldman Robin Williams
Senator Kevin Keeley Gene Hackman
Albert Goldman/Starina Nathan Lane
Louise Keeley Dianne Wiest
Val Goldman Dan Futterman
Barbara Keeley Calista Flockhart
Agador Hank Azaria
Katherine Archer Christine Baranski
Harry Radman Tom McGowan (II)
Photographer Grant Heslov
Chauffeur Kirby Mitchell
Cyril James Lally
Celsius Luca Tommassini
Goldman Girls Luis Camacho
  Andre Fuentes
  Anthony Richard Gonzalez
  Dante Lamar Henderson
  Scott Kaske
  Kevin Alexander Stea
Waiter in Club Tim Kelleher
TV Woman in Van Ann Cusack
TV Man in Van Stanley DeSantis
Club Hostess J. Roy Helland
Fishmonger Anthony Giaimo
Bakery Man Lee Delano
Senator Eli Jackson David Sage
TV Host Michael Kinsley
TV Host Tony Snow
Keeley's Maid Dorothy Constantine
Black Girl on TV Trina McGee-Davis
TV Reporters Barry Nolan
  Amy Powell
  Ron Pitts
  James Hill
  Mary Major
State Trooper Steven Porfido
Waiter in Cafe John D. Pontrelli
Big Guy in Park Herschel Sparber
Katharine's Secretary Francesca Cruz
TV Editors Brian Reddy
  Jim Jansen
Latino Man in Club Al Rodrigo
Matrons Marjorie Lovett
  Sylvia Short
Pastor James H. Morrison
Rabbi Robert K. Baruch


Musical Numbers:

1. Little Dream


Cut Songs:

1. It Takes All Kind


Recordings:

  1. The Birdcage, DVD
  2. The Birdcage, VHS
  3. Original Film Soundtrack, 1996 (Edeltone 2978)


Articles:


Discuss this show in Sondheim.com's community forum: Finishing the Chat... ››

 

   


Recently Overheard...
Assassins is about how society interprets the American Dream, marginalizes outsiders and rewrites and sanitizes its collective history. "Something Just Broke" is a major distraction and plays like an afterthought, shoe horned simply to appease. The song breaks the dramatic fluidity and obstructs the overall pacing and climactic arc which derails the very intent and momentum that makes this work so compelling...”
- Mark Bakalor

Follow the thread...


“I found [the Sondheim Celebration's Company] to be completely delightful. Almost all of the numbers excited and energized me, and most of the scenes were about as pitch-perfect as you can get. I just sat there with a big smile on my face the whole show.

Which is not to say that it is perfect...”
- popcornonmyknees

Follow the thread...

Explore the rest of the Finishing the Chat Community Forum


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One of Sondheim's most beloved works is sure to be Sunday in the Park with George, available on DVD, video tape, and CD.

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