Actor to enter 'Cage'

Cindy Adams

K elsey Grammer -- and may his tribe increase because we love him -- hits Broadway next month in "La Cage Aux Folles." So I asked: How come? So he said, "It's what came along.

"Sometimes things come at the right time. Sometimes, not. In 2000 I did 'Macbeth' on Broadway, and was roundly castigated for having the gall to even dare think I could do that.

" 'La Cage,' of course, is such a classic. I adored it. It always held a place in my imagination. And then last year I saw its newest incarnation in London. So the way we're doing this is, when we open I'm doing the role of George. In six months, I switch over to playing Albin.

"It really means I must memorize the whole show. But the brain is a muscle that's supple and responsive. I find the best way is to memorize the emotion. The words then fall into place. If your emotions are muddled, nothing works.

"I love Broadway, I remember clearly the first show I ever saw. 'Hello Dolly' with Carol Channing. 1963. The Booth. I was a child and it was my birthday gift.

"I'm looking forward . . . with great relief . . . to staying up late. It wasn't lovely getting up early every day of my life for TV. I love the Bohemian life. I can sleep everywhere. And I have a good inner clock. I get up without an alarm. Just wake up.

"We started rehearsals this week, so I'm into getting in shape. Stepped up my cardio workouts, doing weights, trying to get my arms up. And I'm practicing singing. I have a voice teacher."

OK, so the one question I always wanted to ask, where'd the name Kelsey come from?

"My father wanted to call me Frank. My mother didn't. So she checked our family tree and found it as a maiden name hundreds of years ago. And that's what she gave to her son. I tell you one thing, I was the only Kelsey in school."

I don't remember how we got on the subject of humility -- not necessarily a topic either of us is wildly familiar with -- but I remember clearly what he said:

"I bought a sailboat. I call it the BIOYA-K. It's an acronym. A reminder to never take myself that seriously."

What's BIOYA-K stand for?

" 'Blow it out your ass, Kelsey.' "

WITH Hollywood's Best in Show fi nally over, it is back to Westmin ster's. Sadie the winning Scottie is set for immortality. As I told you, her gift for winning was her all-time favorite treat. A hot dog. Sadie's parents -- Amelia and Dan Musser, who own Michigan's landmarked Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island -- send me this note: "Next summer at some of our rest-aurants we will now feature a Sadie Hot Dog." Hey, listen, if Sandra Bullock had played her cards right . . .

EMMY Rossum's next with William H. Macy in a Showtime TV series called "Shameless." She says, "He plays my dad." And when's it on? "We have to hear what the network says." . . . Mel Gibson: "Reason I finally gave up smoking is I want to be around when my baby daughter grows up." . . . Some of the paintings and sculptures in Matt Damon's home were done by his artist brother Kyle . . . Salma Hayek on that nude scene she did with a woman in "Frida": "No big deal. Like when you have to get into something with somebody you're not attracted to. Like they have bad breath and you have to pretend you're in love. You just do it." . . . Spielberg on the difficulty of ditching his favorite organization for banning gays: "Quitting the Boy Scouts was one of my most painful experiences." . . . Freda Payne calling from London to remind me to remind you she's back at the Iridium Jazz Club the 25th to 28th.

HOW about we forget all the senior- citizen worries in that health bill. There's a way to slow down the en tire aging process in general. Just let it works its way though Congress.

WHAT do Stanley Tucci, Edie Falco, Wesley Snipes, Parker Posey, Regina Spektor have in common? They all graduated Purchase College. Monday another alumna (alumnette?) comic Susie Essman emcees its Hudson Theatre celebration, which is rated E for Everyone. No Susie profanities . . . Ex-President George Bush the elder suffering a form of reverse Parkinson's. Trouble walking . . . Is everyone in captivity aware that Mme. Paulette is the best cleaner -- if not in captivity then at least in New York? . . . Philanthropist Adele Smithers, a bovine valve replacement patient, makes her heart doctors laugh because she shouts "Moo." She's now healthy enough to hold a screening March 19, National Arts Club, for Nic Cage's "The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call -- New Orleans."

Press types already mailing résumés Albanyward in case Paterson moves out and Ravitch moves in . . . So, listen, how bad could New York's economy be? Piaget President Larry Boland says they're buying. And items way over $10,000.

'RAD" owns the 51st and Third news stand. He found a wallet full with credit cards and gift certificates. He contacted the owner and wouldn't even accept a reward. I know the owner, so I know it's true.

Only in New York, kids (downstate, forget Albany), only in New York.