William Finn and James Lapine's groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical FALSETTOS comes back to Broadway this fall in an all new production from Lincoln Center Theater. Lapine returns to direct an extraordinary cast featuring Stephanie J. Block (The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Tony nom.), Christian Borle (Something Rotten!, Tony Award), Andrew Rannells (The Book of Mormon, Tony nom), Anthony Rosenthal, Tracie Thoms, Brandon Uranowitz (An American in Paris, Tony nom.) and Betsy Wolfe.
FALSETTOS revolves around the life of a charming, intelligent, neurotic gay man named Marvin, his wife, lover, about-to-be-Bar-Mitzvahed son, their psychiatrist, and the lesbians next door. It's a hilarious and achingly poignant look at the infinite possibilities that make up a modern family... and a beautiful reminder that love can tell a million stories.
Lapine's production is energetic, finely textured and extremely well-cast. Visually, it is built around a novel scenic design (by David Rockwell) in which a giant cube is pulled apart to reveal building blocks that suggest various settings. Borle (who will star as Willy Wonka later this season in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory') captures Marvin's emotional journey from combative egotist to supportive father and lover. The cast scores vocally, comically and dramatically, bringing out the manic heights and tender pauses of this truly extraordinary musical.
Finn's alternately lighthearted and poignant score in this mostly sung-through show is another major asset. While things get a bit heavy-handed as one man's life ends while another begins at a bar mitzvah, it's hard to grouse when you're being moved to tears. There are plenty of those - laughs, too - thanks to the uniformly wonderful cast. Borle, a two-time Tony winner, is very affecting as Marvin comes out and, finally, comes of age. Rannells, of 'Girls,' brings swagger and sweetness to the pragmatic Whizzer. Block is blessed with a couple of the show's best songs - 'I'm Breaking Down' and 'Holding to the Ground' - and does them proud. Both are stuck in my head. Even the scenery is eloquent in its own way. A huge gray Rubik's Cube-like set piece underscores the idea that the world is puzzling. Fitting since Trina sings: 'Life is never what you planned.' Plan on being deeply touched and richly satisfied at this show.
1992 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
2016 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Production Broadway |
2019 | US Tour |
US Revival Tour US Tour |
2019 | West End |
West End European Premiere West End |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Brandon Uranowitz |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Stephanie J. Block |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | Falsettos |
2017 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Christian Borle |
2017 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical | Falsettos |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Christian Borle |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Andrew Rannells |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Stephanie J. Block |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical | Andrew Rannells |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical | Brandon Uranowitz |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical | Christian Borle |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical | Stephanie J. Block |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Falsettos |
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