Falsettos is a show very dear to my heart, I have watched it multiple times and I know the songs word for word. It is an impactful musical, which follows the theme of family, and love between same sex couples, in a time where it was not as accepted. Act one shows the heteronormative ideals the main character Marvin (Christian Borle) is trying to live by, despite leaving his wife to start a life with his new boyfriend Whizzer (Andrew Rannels).
I think this Revival of the three one act musicals by Willian Finn, lives up to the performances from the 80s, and exceeds all expectations. I like how in the revival that they combined the two acts of ‘March of the falsettos’ and ‘Falsettoland’, to create Falsettos. I hope to see a revival of ‘In trousers’, the story about younger Marvin one day, but I love the way they went with the set up.
Act one showed its humour and grabbed your attention from the second the music started, the costumes and singing in unison was exciting, and using it as a way to Introduce the characters was very creative. I like how the focus in act one allows you to get to know the characters, and I am pleased with the decision of bringing the song ‘Im breaking down’ from ‘In trousers’, into falsettos, to further develop the character of Trina, and giving Stephanie J Block a solo, which she sells amazingly. The first Act is a perfect introduction into the characters lives, clearly showing their dynamics, and what is changing throughout the song.
One of my favourite relationships in the whole production is that between Jason (Anthony Rosenthal) and the significant others of his parents. In particular what he has with Whizzer (Andrew) in act two.
Spoilers for ending from now!!
Act two keeps the comedic value, introduces new characters, Dr Charlotte (Tracie Thoms) and Cordelia (Betsy Wolfe), who call themselves ‘the lesbians from next door.’ I think their relationship with Marvin and Whizzer is so important when the pair repair their relationship, I think it’s so important because they show by their love that all Marvin needs is Whizzer, he does not need this ‘tight knit family’ he pushes, it will come in time.
Like Act 1, Mendel (Brandon Uraniwitz) maintains his roll as the main comedic source in the play, but makes a greater impact in this Act. In Act 1 he starts as the Psychiatrist of Marvin, later becoming the husband of Trina, Marvin’s ex wife. His relationship is still strong with Jason, showing he understands how he gets irritated with his parents, whilst also keeping the comedy and joy before the eventual sadness starts. He later has a huge impact in the very end of the musical, as he reprises the opening song for Act 2, but with a deeper meaning, by singing, “this is where we take a stand”, which I think given the story was very important for the actor Brandon Uraniwitz since, although the characters in the musical are either Jewish or Gay, his character is neither, but the actor himself is. Using the comedic character for this impactful last line works really well, and it sticks with you after the musical has finished.
In a summary, this is one of my favourite musicals, it sends you through a whole rollercoaster of emotions, with joy, heartbreak, love, and loss. It is worth a watch, but make sure to have tissues for act 2. This musical deserved 100% it’s five nominations at the Tonys in 2016.
Here is the link if anyone would like to watch Falsettos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPrJPpMwdio
0 Comments