The musical La Cage aux Folles (1983) is based on a gay-themed French play of the same name by Jean Poiret. The play enjoyed a successful run in Paris during the late 1970s. During this time, producer Alan Carr witnessed the play and instantly decided that he would create an American version of the story. After contacting Poiret, he learned that the American rights to the play had already been purchased by the well-known producer David Merrick. Carr patiently waited until Merrick dropped the rights, and then bought them himself. Originally, Carr wanted to make a movie that would star Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, but he was beaten to the punch by a French-Italian film based on the play. Carr then decided to produce a stage musical version of La Cage aux Folles for the American public.

A creative team was assembled, and then promptly disassembled due to personal differences between all of those involved. The task of writing the book of the musical was then given to Harvey Fierstein, fresh off of success in Torch Song Trilogy (1982). On a subway trip from Brooklyn to Manhattan, Fierstein managed to complete the entire book.

Arthur Laurents was contacted about directing the show but he was hesitant to accept.

The gay themes of the story bothered him morally, but he eventually consented. Maury Yeston was originally hired to act as the composer, but after he was released from this duty, Jerry Herman was brought aboard as the creator of the musical score. He had previously been praised for his composing in Hello, Dolly! (1964) and Mame (1966). As for the gay couple that La Cage aux Folles is centered around, the actors Gene Barry and George Hearn were hired in order to bring them to life. The musical was first seen at the Palace Theater on August 21, 1983, and lasted for an impressive 1,761 performances.

This couple is made up of Georges and Albin, who jointly own a drag club. Albin regularly performs as the club's main attraction, Zaza. From his earlier marriage, Georges has a son named Jean-Michel, but Albin has acted as the boy's mother virtually since his birth. Jean-Michel is older now, and has found the girl that he wants to marry. This girl, Anne Dindon, happens to be the daughter of an ultra-conservative politician, who has spoken out against drag clubs. Jean-Michel informs his father that the Dindons will be coming to the apartment for a dinner, at which he says that Albin must not be present.

This will hurt Albin deeply, but Georges agrees, and the real mother is contacted. The night arrives, and Jean-Michel's mother does not arrive, so Albin dresses in drag and pretends to be the mother. Eventually, Albin is exposed and Mr. Dindon is outraged. The press is just outside the apartment, though, ready to photograph the politician. To escape, he dresses in drag himself and joins a show at the club, coming to terms with Jean-Michel's unusual family.

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