Armand Goldman (Robin Williams) and Albert Goldman (Nathan Lane) own the Birdcage, a gay nightclub with cross-dressing performers mimicing famous stars. Armand's son Val Goldman (Dan Futterman) wants to marry Barbara (Calista Flockhart). Mayhem ensues as the gay pair attempt to act straight to impress Barbara's parents. Her father is a senator, John Keely (Gene Hackman), and his wife is Louise Keely (Diane Wiest). To make things worse, the senator is the co-founder of the Coalition for Moral Order, and the press tracks his every move. The houseman is insanely funny as he keeps falling out of his shoes, and there are naked young boys on the dinner plates. Albert poses as Armand's straight wife, which is further complicated by the arrival of Armand's divorced wife. Secrets are exposed, and the result is a very funny situation.