In Proving Honor I get stuck in the cage and Farkas comes over and tells me that he will find a way out and then other guys come in and surround him. Then nothing happens and I am stuck in the cage. I know something is supposed to happen but nothing does. I have reloaded this many times but nothing happens. Any thoughts?

Did you try activating the lever to get the message "The lever is stuck?"

I kept trying to open the gate by doing that and the quest went without a hitch..

Yes I have but I will trying clicking it like there is no tomorrow.