Dish-Houston

BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT ARTHUR:

Logan Keslar is one of those performers that musical theater teachers point to and say “He did it and so can you.” The talented Mr. Keslar has been to Broadway and back – well back for just a while – as he tours the country in the perennial hit musical comedy La Cage Aux Folles opening April 24^th  at the Hobby Center.

Born in Liberty, Texas he quickly gravitated to Houston and the arts.

“I was drawn to dancing when I was just a few years old. Heck - I was dancing in kindergarten.  My Mom took me to all the classic musicals and really encouraged my interests.” he said. He attended the Humphreys School of Musical Theater and graduated from Houston’s High School for the Performing Arts. “I worked with Tony Award winners, gained confidence and learned how to audition.”

And then ….like everyone else with grease paint in their veins, he moved to New York to be in big time show biz.

“I got my equity card right away. And I was lucky; I knew people, had a few connections and started working after a very short time.”

When Logan was all of 20 years old, he leaped over the pond and was selected to be a singing, dancing gang member in London’s 50^th Anniversary West End production of West Side Story. Four years later he was dancing on Broadway.

Direct from the great white way comes La Cage Aux Folles. The show that will not and SHOULD NOT die. The plot is classic: it focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his romantic partner and star attraction, and the farcical adventures that ensue when Georges's son, brings home his fiancée's ultra-conservative parents to meet them.

The original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical and  Best Score. The 2004 Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival, the 2008 London revival garnered the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.

The 2010 Broadway revival was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. And Logan was part of it. In the touring version of La Cage, Logan continues his Broadway role as Bitelle, one of the six (men in drag) Cagelles - the corps de ballet of the hit musical.

“We’re the only dancing in the show. It’s fun but sometimes exhausting.  It takes almost an hour to put on all that make up and the wig! I have a heavy beard and have to wait until just before going onstage to shave.”

In the 2010 Broadway show, TV star Kelsey Grammer played Georges, in Houston, the role is taken over by Hollywood icon George Hamilton. Different actors different interpretations? “Yes. The energy and style of each lead changes the show. Kelsey led the train. He took charge. George is one of the most authentic and kind men. And he’s really relaxed. Christopher Sieber, who played Georges on Broadway, is now Albin, opposite Hamilton – and he’s hilarious.”

Keslar is playing his hometown. Are you nervous?

“No, all my family friends and teachers are going to be there to support me. I just want them to have a good time.”

Sounds like it will be hard NOT to have a good time. The TUTS production of La Cage Aux Folles runs April 24^th through May 6. For ticket information, call 713-558-8887 or go to http://www.tuts.com