La Cage aux Folles: LWilson J. Heredia to join cast

Tony Award-winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Rent) will join the cast of the Tony Award-winning revival of La Cage aux Folles at the Longacre Theatre. Heredia replaces 2010 Tony-nominee Robin De Jesús in the role of 'Jacob.'

Heredia will begin performances on 15 Feb 2011, the same evening that four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein and six-time Emmy Award nominee Jeffrey Tambor will join the company as 'Albin' and 'Georges'.

Current stars five-time Emmy Award-winner Kelsey Grammer, 2010 Tony Award winner Douglas Hodge and 2010 Tony Award nominee Robin De Jesús will play their final performances on 13 Feb 2011.

Heredia made his Broadway debut in 'Rent,' for which he received the 1996 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and an Obie Award. Heredia recreated his role in the original London production of 'Rent' where he garnered an Olivier nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and in the feature film, directed by Chris Columbus. Other credits include: 'Eli' in 'Eli's Coming' (Vineyard Theatre), Elizabeth Swados' 'The New Americans' for which he composed the song "No Es Asi." Film: "Three Chris's," "The Girl from the Naked Eye," "Descent," "Nailed," "Johnny Was," "Flawless" and" On a Mission from God." Television: "Without a Trace," "Medium," "Law and Order SVU," and "Spin City".

La Cage aux Folles opened at the Longacre Theatre on 18 Apr 2010, following previews from 6 Mar, and is currently selling tickets through to 3 Jul 2011.

The musical opened to excellent reviews: A Wild success (newyorktheatreguide); Warm, winning production (NY Times); Emotionally affecting (AP) Funny, heartwarming and terrific (Variety).

The musical currently stars Kelsey Grammer as 'Georges,' Douglas Hodge (Albin/Zaza), Fred Applegate (Edouard Dindon/ M. Renaud), A.J. Shively (Jean-Michel), Allyce Beasley (Mme. Dindon/Mme. Renaud), Robin de Jesús (Jacob), Christine Andreas (Jacqueline), lena Shaddow (Anne), Chris Hoch (Francis), Heather Lindell (Colette), Bill Nolte (Tabarro), David Nathan Perlow (Etienne) and Matt Anctil (Angelique)'

La Cage aux Folles features music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Harvey Fierstein, based on the play by Jean Poiret. This production is choreographed by Lynne Page and directed by Terry Johnson, who won a 2010 Tony Award for his helming of the production.

Georges (Kelsey Grammer) is the suave owner of a glitzy drag club on the French Riviera. Partnered romantically with his high-strung star performer, Albin (Douglas Hodge), the pair live a charmed life—until Georges' son announces his engagement to the daughter of a conservative right-wing politician who's coming to dinner. La Cage aux Folles won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, as well as Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical (Douglas Hodge) and Best Director of a Musical (Terry Johnson).

La Cage aux Folles played from 23 Nov 2007 to 8 Mar 2008 at the Menier Chocolate Factory, before transferring to the West End's Playhouse Theatre on 30 Oct 2008, where it was nominated for seven 2009 Olivier Awards, winning for Best Musical Revival and Best Actor in a Musical for Douglas Hodge and won the 2009 Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Musical. The Broadway production opened at the Longacre Theatre on April 18, 2010.

La Cage aux Folles features set design by Tim Shortall, costume design by Matthew Wright, lighting design by Nick Richings and sound design by Jonathan Deans.