Director Taavon Gamble has gone full throttle with Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman’s high energy musical, “La Cage aux Folles” filling Trinity Rep’s Dowling Theatre with bright lights, bright colors, and a brilliant array of singer/dancers.

The lights come up.

Twenty-year Trinity veteran, Stephen Thorne takes center stage as Georges, the emcee of the night club where his partner, Albin, headlines the spectacular show as Zaza.

The chorus performs “We Are What We Are,” and the audience is immersed in the splendor of the energy and showmanship that keeps building for the next two and a half hours in this magnificent show, Trinity’s best in years.

“La Cage aux Folles” is a show with a strong statement about tolerance, acceptance, love, and like the song says, “You are what you are!”

The story and accompanying songs are at times poignant, at times in-your-face, and most of the time, downright funny.

Georges and Albin are deeply in love. There is an age gap, and Albin is getting on in years performing as Zaza.

A crisis arises when Georges’ son announces he is getting married. To a woman! A woman whose father is to the right of Trump and trying to shut down La Cage.

There are difficult family moments ahead as Jean-Michel (Michael Jennings Mahoney) tries to avoid a meeting between Albin and his son’s future father-in-law, leading to the touching “Look Over There” ballad.

The action gets a bit silly when they all do meet, but you just know there will be a happy ending to this upbeat show.

The cast sings about “The Best of Times” and offers hope for a world where everyone is accepted for who they are.

That was a tough sell when the musical opened on Broadway over 40 years ago and “La Cage aux Folles” can  still be a challenge for some today.

The musical offers hope for a brighter future for all, and it offers it by making us laugh and maybe shed a tear.

And it does what great theatre needs to do. It entertains!

The dance numbers are spectacular.The humor is cutting edge. The set and costumes are as good as it gets.

And the performances are Broadway level or better!

Stephen Thorne, one of the few remaining actors in Trinity’s current “Repertory” is magnificent, and C. Mingo Long, with his numerous costume and character changes is a shing light that makes the show even brighter.

Want to be entertained, educated and inspired?

Don’t miss Trinity Rep’s. “La Cage aux Folles.”

The show runs through June 30. For tickets, visit trinityrep.com or call  351-4242.