Austrian audiences seem to agree that "nobody writes a showtune like Jerry Herman" -- and Herman's Tony Award-winning musical La Cage aux Folles will play at three theatres within a few months.

At Vienna's Volksoper, the capitol's premiere operetta house, La Cage has been part of the repertory for six years. In its seventh season, which will begin on Jan. 25, Joachim Kemmer takes over as Georges from the regular Frank Hoffmann. Karlheinz Hackl, one of the countries most beloved stage actors, stays on in his acclaimed role as Zaza.

At the Woertherseehalle Klagenfurt, La Cage will end its triumphant run on Jan. 18. Only the unavailability of the theatre prevents a prolongation. Erich Schleyer, who does a short impression of his former success as Dr. Frank N. Furter each evening is ZaZa, Manfred Lukas Luderer plays Georges.

Last, but not least, La Cage will enter the Tyrolean mountains. Under its German title, Ein Kaefig voller Narren, it will open at the Tiroler Landestheater in Innsbruck on Feb. 28. Here the lead roles will be played by Dale Albright (Zaza) and Ansgar Schaefer (Georges).

Tickets for the Volkoper can be ordered at +43-1-513 15 13. Performance dates: Jan. 25, 27-29, Feb. 4-7, 11/12, 21, 24 Stadtheater Klagenfurt: +43-463-55 2 66

Tiroler Landestheater: +43-512-52074

-- By Bernd Freimueller

Austria Correspondent