Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
#1Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/12/11 at 8:31am
This is one of the best and most moving musicals of the last 30 years, and New York audiences haven't seen it forever. Instead of reviving shows that weren't very good (yeah, I love the score of ON A CLEAR DAY too, but all versions of the book are unworkable), why not a first-class production of this masterpiece? Just listen to the score, and try not to be moved. Amazingly and thankfully, we are no longer living with the daily spectre of AIDS in our lives and in our community, but this show is about so much more, and remains totally relevant in its humanity and the brilliance of William Finn's score.
The last time I saw this was about 10 years ago at a Playwrights Horizons benefit performance, and it blew me away all over again. What do others think?
#2Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/12/11 at 8:33amYes, please. And I would sit in a room without bitching.
#3Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/12/11 at 8:47am
Yes, please.
Marvin: Alexander Gemigniani
Mendel: Norbert Leo Butz
Whizzer: Michael Arden
miss pennywise
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/7/04
#4Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/12/11 at 8:51amPJ, you'll have to not bitch in a room with 2.5 other Jews. Remember that.
http://www.roches.com/television/ss83kod.html
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Huey's Pop
Featured Actor Joined: 4/19/05
#5Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/12/11 at 9:15amI recently saw a version of Falsettos in Los Angeles and was moved to tears. I've seen various productions over the years, and each one has affected me in different ways. This is positively one of my favorite shows and definitely needs to revived on Broadway
#6Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/12/11 at 9:20am
I would like an Off-Broadway revival, but I thought when this piece was mashed together and put in a big house, it lost the intimacy it needs to succeed. At Playwrights Horizons, however, it was stunning.
I also think it works better as two separate evenings, rather than one rather long one. The tone and bite wear a bit thin with too much exposure.
Updated On: 12/12/11 at 09:20 AM
colorandlight2
Understudy Joined: 12/5/08
#7Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/12/11 at 10:38amPlease revive. I'm willing to wait a few years for Leslie Kritzer and Santino Fontana to become age appropriate for the material though.
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#8Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/12/11 at 11:26amI've always wanted to see an African-American actress as Dr. Charlotte.
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#9Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/12/11 at 11:38am
I completely agree with newintown.
When I saw Falsettoland at the Lortel, it was so effective. Faith Prince's Holding to the Ground was a show stopper. When the two shows were combined and put on Broadway, it lost intimacy (and I was sitting in the fifth row. I couldn't imagine what people in the balcony thought).
When Falsettos came out, someone suggested that PBS should film the trilogy. I think William Finn should take the three shows and create one piece for PBS.
And of course in the shaping of the show, some things need to change. I think "Only Games I Play" is a much stronger song for Whizzer than "You Gotta Die Sometime" and should be placed in Act 2.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#10Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/12/11 at 12:01pmI saw Falsettos from the rear orchestra of the Golden and having not seen it previously, I still found it quite intimate and incredibly effective. It was one of the most profound and emotional shows I've ever experienced on Broadway. I would love to see a revival, but I worry that it won't have the same effect without that brilliant staging and the immediacy of its time. 1992 wasn't so far removed from the setting of the show as 2011 is today. But Finn's score is strong enough to be resilient and timeless just as with Sondheim's Company.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#11Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/12/11 at 1:34pmI've already seen it four times...but a resounding YES! I'd love to spend some more time with this family of nuts again. One of the most moving shows I've ever experienced.
Gaveston2
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/11
#12Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/12/11 at 4:03pm
I just saw an unevenly cast and sung concert version here in Palm Springs and it was still tremendously moving.
I thought March... suffered a bit when combined in Falsettos, but I chalked it up to the actors saving something for a second act.
I recognize the p.r. problem of convincing the potential audience that an hour-long, one-act musical actually makes a satisfying evening, but I'd love to see the three plays done in rep, so the actors would only have to perform one at a time (two in one day, but with a substantial break in between).
But any revival might need to be done soon. Much of Falsettoland deals not just with Whizzer's death but with the growing dread of an unknown killer. I don't know how that plays to people who don't remember the 1980s.
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As for moving Whizzer's songs, huh? I don't necessarily disagree as to the respective quality of the two solos, but "Games I Play" makes perfect sense when Whizzer is leaving Marvin. It would just be a sign of dementia if sung on Whizzer's death bed.
Updated On: 12/13/11 at 04:03 PM
Copperfield2
Stand-by Joined: 11/4/06
#13Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/12/11 at 10:44pm
I saw Falsettos on Broadway and loved it just as much as did when I saw the shows off-Broadway in separate parts in smaller houses.
I also saw an all Asian-American cast do Falsettoland at the Vineyard and it worked beautifully.
Has Raul Esparza ever done this show?
After Eight
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
#14Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/12/11 at 11:27pm
I thoroughly disliked it initially, and have no desire to see it, or anything else by William Finn again.
Spending an evening listening to self-absorbed whiners like Bobby, Marvin, or George whine to whiny music:
Pretty grim.
#15Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/13/11 at 1:48am
I saw a production of I think the third play (is that March of the Falsettos?) at a Fringe festival when I was a young teen, knowing nothing about it, but it really made a strong impression on me (I have to admit, nothing else by Finn really has--and his Little Miss Sunshine this year sounds like it won't change that view).
In a book on gay theatre I read for a course a couple of years back (it may have been Acting Gay but I read so many I have them mixed together) the author praised Falsettos to no end off Broadway--there's a whole chapter. But it's followed by a postscript written for the later edition saying that the show on Broadway lost a lot of what the author liked so much--specifically he claimed it was "de-gayed" in terms of direction with much less male intimacy shown on stage, and made more safe. Do others agree with this?
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#16Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/13/11 at 11:25am
The order of the Marvin trilogy is: In Trousers, March of the Falsettos, Falsettoland. For Broadway, "March" and "Falsettoland" were joined together and called "Falsettos".
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Updated On: 12/13/11 at 11:25 AM
#17Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/13/11 at 11:35am
But it's followed by a postscript written for the later edition saying that the show on Broadway lost a lot of what the author liked so much--specifically he claimed it was "de-gayed" in terms of direction with much less male intimacy shown on stage, and made more safe.
I never saw the original productions, but the most intimate scene was Marvin and Whizzer in bed together as Marvin sings What More Can I Say, which seemed pretty intimate. And the love and affection for the lesbian couple seemed pretty clear to me in their body language. Not sure how much intimacy that author demands. The book and score really don't call for a lot of intimacy in the plot, so I don't know what they could add for the staging other than maybe a quick kiss or embrace towards the end of Falsettoland. I certainly wasn't expecting a lot of physical intimacy on stage given the content of the show. How "gay" is it supposed to be?
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#18Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/13/11 at 11:41am
Well...it could be argued that the ending of Thrill of First Love should be pretty hot...as the point of the song is that they're in the stage of their relationship where they only get hot for each other when fighting.
Also, in the original Broadway production, the hetero couple shared a sexy, loving kiss, while neither of the gay couples did. And that did bother me. But just a little.
But I do love this show (this was my coming out show...it put me in the frame of mind so that I'd be able to come out shortly afterwards). And, I've said it before, and I'll say it again, but Menzel is an ideal Trina.
#19Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/13/11 at 11:48amI forgot about Thrill of First Love. I really don't remember what happened on stage during that number. Perhaps the lack of hotness is why.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#20Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/13/11 at 12:00pmI only saw it on Broadway and did not like it one bit.
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#21Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/13/11 at 12:09pm
I think it was kind of an exceedingly unerotic Indian wrestle. I was confused. We're they about the F*CK or trade their land for $24 in trinkets and beads?
I really enjoyed the original Broadway cast, but think they relied a little to heavily on 'solid, middle class values' in its staging.
In many ways, I've come to love A New Brain much, much more.
#22Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/13/11 at 12:18pm
It's a sophisticated, intimate show that is mostly wasted on Broadway's unsophisticated tourist audience, and becomes cold and lost in a house larger than the Booth.
As I said, at Playwrights, the two shows were magic, visceral, immediate. At the Golden, the mash-up was a lesser thing (not to detract from the enjoyment of those who only saw it there).
If you ever see a good production in a tiny house, you'll see what I mean. It's an intimate show, above all else.
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#23Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/13/11 at 12:22pm
"In many ways, I've come to love A New Brain much, much more."
"And They're Off" is such a great song. "Mommy's biting his neck as they roll on the deck" still makes me laugh.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#24Isn't it about time for a major revival of FALSETTOS?
Posted: 12/13/11 at 12:28pm
A New Brain is the only show I've ever performed where the entire cast never wanted the run to end. We all loved performing that score every single night and nobody seemed to grow tired of it.
Incidentally, Finn's childhood babysitter played Gordon's mother in our production. And she was fantastic. Finn actually called our little theatre to congratulate us on the success of the run.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
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