The basics: Goodspeed Musicals is presenting "La Cage aux Folles" starting Friday.

The creators: "La Cage aux Folles" features music and lyrics by Jerry Herman ("Mame," "Hello, Dolly!") and a book by Harvey Fierstein. This was Fierstein's first libretto, before moving on to "Newsies" and "Kinky Boots."

The success: When "La Cage" debuted on Broadway in 1983, it won six Tony awards, including ones for best musical, best score and best book. A 2004 revival won the Tony for best revival, as did a 2010 revival, thereby making "La Cage" the only show to win a best production Tony for each of its Broadway incarnations.

The story: Long-time partners Georges and Albin run a nightclub in St. Tropez showcasing drag entertainment. The son they raised (which Georges sired during a youthful fling with a woman named Sybil) decides to marry — and his fiancée is the daughter of the leader of the "Tradition, Family and Morality Party," which wants to shutter drag clubs.

The players: Starring at Goodspeed are James Lloyd Reynolds as Georges and Jamison Stern as Albin. Directing is Rob Ruggiero, whose litany of previous Goodspeed hits include version of "Fiddler on the Roof," "The Most Happy Fella" and "Carousel."

— Kristina Dorsey

"La Cage aux Folles," Goodspeed Opera House, 6 Main St., East Haddam; opens Friday and runs through Sept. 6; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wed., 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 3 and 8 p.m. Sat., and 2 p.m. Sun.; also, 2 p.m. on select Thursdays and 6:30 p.m. on select Sundays; tickets start at $27, prices subject to change based on availability; (860) 873-8668.