Theater News

Flashback Friday: Celebrate the End of DOMA and Prop. 8 With Broadway’s Original Drag Queens

George Hearn sings “I Am What I Am” from La Cage aux Folles at the 1984 Tony Awards.

Since Wednesday morning, the theater community has been rejoicing in the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down DOMA and Proposition 8 in support of marriage equality. To cap off this week of celebration, TheaterMania has decided to pay homage to Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman’s iconic musical La Cage aux Folles. Before Fierstein arrived in the “Land of Lola” with his Tony Award-winning, drag-filled musical Kinky Boots, La Cage was one of the first Broadway musicals to embrace the spirit of individuality, pride, and of course, some good old-fashioned sequins and falsies.

Watch as Tony Award winner George Hearn declares “I Am What I Am” to his theatrical comrades in an emotional performance at the 1984 Tony ceremony. Unfortunately he left his wig and high heels at home, but there are plenty of fabulous outfits during the intro tap number that more than compensate.