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Billy Porter will soon return to the stage as Albin in the upcoming Encores! production of La Cage aux Folles, starring opposite Wayne Brady as Georges. During a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s Bevelations, Porter praised the talents of his co-star, saying that Brady’s strengths fit the piece.
“[He is] really talented and… he hasn’t had the opportunity yet to create something in a classic project like this,” said the Tony winner, noting that he has replaced other actors in major productions, including Porter in Kinky Boots.
“This piece is about family. This story is about family. Harvey Fierstein was writing about the queer insular family before anybody was talking about it in the zeitgeist.” Watch Porter’s conversation about his co-star below and check out a video of him singing taken from rehearsals of the production.
The Encores! production of La Cage Aux Folles will run June 17 – 28. The cast features Emmy Award winner Wayne Brady (Georges), Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winner Billy Porter (Albin), Encores! alum Alaman Diadhiou (Jean-Michel), James Jackson Jr. (Jacob), Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins (Jacqueline), Rachel Webb (Anne), Peter Francis James (Edouard), Michael McElroy (Francois), Sharon Washington (Marie), and Lance Coadie Williams (Renaud).
The cast also includes Jordan Alexander, Sai Anthony, Jordan Chin, Joshua Dawson, Jamal Christopher Douglas, Michael Samarie George, Aaron Graham, Ari Groover, Jaquez, Karma Jenkins, Christian Kidd, Kendall Lashanti, Andre Malcolm, Kareem Marsh, Morgan McGhee, Ernest Mingo, Wesley Ryan, Julian Amari Smith, Jordan Simone Stephens, Wade Watson, Anthony Wayne, and Travon Williams.
Featuring an all-black cast led by Director Robert O’Hara and Guest Music Director Joseph Joubert with choreography by Edgar Godineaux and tap choreography by Dormeshia, the Tony-winning La Cage Aux Folles by Harvey Fierstein (book) and Jerry Herman (music and lyrics) closes out the 2026 Encores! season.
The musical tells the story of longtime partners Albin and Georges, proprietors of a vibrant drag nightclub in St. Tropez whose world turns upside down when their son brings home his fiancée’s conservative parents. What ensues is a whirlwind of farce, heart, and “A Little More Mascara.”
This Encores! production highlights the original 1983 orchestrations, not heard since its original Broadway run. The production features scenic design by Tony winner David Zinn, costume design by Tony winner Clint Ramos, lighting design by Adam Honoré, sound design by Megumi Katayama, hair and wig design by Rob Pickens, and makeup design by Joe Dulude II.
Encores! will host the Community Pride Block Party on June 26 5:30 – 7pm. Celebrate Pride with free drag performances, live music, and DJ 2FACE, plus drink and merch specials in the through-block atrium adjacent to City Center at 6 1/2 Avenue.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski
