You won't believe which star is returning to Broadway’s Classic La Cage aux Folles!
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We here at the SDC are beyond excited to report that the legendary Debra Byrne is back, gracing the stage of Melbourne for a limited-time production of the Broadway classic La Cage aux Folles.
The much-loved entertainer has already starred in productions like Cats, Les Misérables, Mary Poppins, Sunset Boulevard, and Sweeney Todd.
It's an especially exciting turn of events for those who remember her back in 1986 when she starred in Jerry's Girls.
'I had such a ball doing that,' Byrne said.
'It was one of the sexiest things I've ever done. It was so good playing a male in this fabulous suit with the French accent.'
This time around, Debra is playing the role of Jacqueline, a stylish restaurateur in the colourful drag nightclub of Saint-Tropez.
It has been four decades since La Cage aux Folles' first production in 1983. Having won numerous Tony awards, the musical broke new ground for being the first hit Broadway show centred on a gay relationship.
But as thrilling as this is for her and her fans, Debra has another important reason for wanting to get back out on stage—her family.
For the past few years, the 66-year-old has been a full-time carer for her grandson Aaron, who is 16 and has multiple disabilities—a commitment that simply won't allow Debra the six-month-long stints of eight shows a week that most musicals require.
Thankfully, La Cage falls at just the right moment: the production is short and suitably fits in with Debra's home life.
'It fits in really well with my life ... This is a very doable thing for me, it's fun and it suits my family,' Debra said.
Debra believes the theatre industry can be tough on some families. She recalls having to move her young children from Melbourne to Sydney during the time she was doing Mary Poppins.
'You never see your kids, they come home from school and you're walking out the door,' she said.
Aside from the unique drag outfits, vibrant scenery and hearty choruses, La Cage is also a musical comedy about family—specifically, that of manager Georges (Paul Capsis) and romantic partner Albin (Michael Cormick), who have to meet Georges' son's (his child from an encounter when he was younger) conservative in-laws.
Byrne, whose youngest daughter is gay, reflected on how things have changed in Australia since the first production of La Cage in the late 1980s.
'We are fortunate to live in a country where artistry is free to continue to enlighten us regarding our LGBTQI+ community,' she said.
'Shining a beautiful bright light on that wherever we can is absolutely fine.'
Furthermore, Byrne, Capsis, and Cormick will be joined onstage by Peter Phelps, Genevieve Morris, Loredo Malcolm and Bev Killick.
For ticket information, you can click here.
Just recently, Debra took to social media to reveal that her family was on the verge of homelessness. The reason? Debra couldn't find a rental property as a pensioner.
'How dare the rental industry snub pensioners?' Debra said, stressed at the whole situation.
‘How dare they see us as incompetent [in] paying our rent.'
Debra shared that she had always worked hard until that became physically unfeasible. But she did so while she cared for her grandsons and children. Currently, Byrne’s grandson, Aaron, lives with her, as does her daughter Lucille.
Thankfully, many of Debra’s fans have come to her aid and did their best to help her find a home.
You can read more about this story here.
Save the date, dear members, as this Broadway classic will open at Arts Centre Melbourne on November 9!
Are you a fan of Debra Byrne? What is your favourite work of hers? Share it with us in the comments below!
The much-loved entertainer has already starred in productions like Cats, Les Misérables, Mary Poppins, Sunset Boulevard, and Sweeney Todd.
It's an especially exciting turn of events for those who remember her back in 1986 when she starred in Jerry's Girls.
'I had such a ball doing that,' Byrne said.
'It was one of the sexiest things I've ever done. It was so good playing a male in this fabulous suit with the French accent.'
Debra Byrne is back on stage with Broadway classic La Cage aux Folles! Image source: IMDb.
This time around, Debra is playing the role of Jacqueline, a stylish restaurateur in the colourful drag nightclub of Saint-Tropez.
It has been four decades since La Cage aux Folles' first production in 1983. Having won numerous Tony awards, the musical broke new ground for being the first hit Broadway show centred on a gay relationship.
But as thrilling as this is for her and her fans, Debra has another important reason for wanting to get back out on stage—her family.
For the past few years, the 66-year-old has been a full-time carer for her grandson Aaron, who is 16 and has multiple disabilities—a commitment that simply won't allow Debra the six-month-long stints of eight shows a week that most musicals require.
Thankfully, La Cage falls at just the right moment: the production is short and suitably fits in with Debra's home life.
'It fits in really well with my life ... This is a very doable thing for me, it's fun and it suits my family,' Debra said.
Debra believes the theatre industry can be tough on some families. She recalls having to move her young children from Melbourne to Sydney during the time she was doing Mary Poppins.
'You never see your kids, they come home from school and you're walking out the door,' she said.
Aside from the unique drag outfits, vibrant scenery and hearty choruses, La Cage is also a musical comedy about family—specifically, that of manager Georges (Paul Capsis) and romantic partner Albin (Michael Cormick), who have to meet Georges' son's (his child from an encounter when he was younger) conservative in-laws.
Byrne, whose youngest daughter is gay, reflected on how things have changed in Australia since the first production of La Cage in the late 1980s.
'We are fortunate to live in a country where artistry is free to continue to enlighten us regarding our LGBTQI+ community,' she said.
'Shining a beautiful bright light on that wherever we can is absolutely fine.'
Furthermore, Byrne, Capsis, and Cormick will be joined onstage by Peter Phelps, Genevieve Morris, Loredo Malcolm and Bev Killick.
For ticket information, you can click here.
Just recently, Debra took to social media to reveal that her family was on the verge of homelessness. The reason? Debra couldn't find a rental property as a pensioner.
'How dare the rental industry snub pensioners?' Debra said, stressed at the whole situation.
‘How dare they see us as incompetent [in] paying our rent.'
Debra shared that she had always worked hard until that became physically unfeasible. But she did so while she cared for her grandsons and children. Currently, Byrne’s grandson, Aaron, lives with her, as does her daughter Lucille.
Thankfully, many of Debra’s fans have come to her aid and did their best to help her find a home.
You can read more about this story here.
Are you a fan of Debra Byrne? What is your favourite work of hers? Share it with us in the comments below!
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