Playbill of the Week: Falsettos

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Every Friday I'll be bringing you a Playbill of the week, resulting in 53 blog posts about different Broadway musicals.

For the first week I thought it extremely fitting to focus on a show that is taking its final bow this Sunday. Ladies and gentlemen if you know me at all you've heard me talk about the revival of Falsettos like crazy. I was lucky enough to witness the show twice in its run. Thankfully for anyone unable to check the show out you'll be able to see it later this year on PBS thanks to Live from Lincoln Center.

Now onto the show. originally two separate shows, March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland. Written by James Lapine and William Finn. A story about a man named Marvin, who left his wife and child to be with his male lover, Whizzer. The first act, March of the Falsettos, shows the new family dynamic, with Marvin and Whizzer, the lovely Trina and her son Jason, and Mendel, the wiry psychiatrist. Marvin is trying to find a balance between his love Whizzer, and his ex and son. All the while his psychiatrist pulls the moves on his ex wife and whoops, get married. Jason; Marvin and Trinas son, is somewhat torn between his parents, but finds comfort in his love for chess. At the end of the first act Marvin is not in a good place, but still tries to comfort and help out his son.

In Act II (Falsettoland) we are reintroduced to the gang 2 years later. Mendel and Trina are married, Whizzer and Marvin are separated, Jason loves girls, and we're graced with the lesbians from next door, Doctor Charlotte and Cordelia, the shiksa caterer. From the opening of the show you'd believe we're in for another beautifully written act, with some fun numbers, witty lyrics and real family conversations. When in actuality we are greeted by a tale about love, death and acceptance. If you didn't go through an entire pack of Kleenex, you may want to get your heart checked. We get a glimpse into everyone's lives, the good, the bad and the ugly. Marvin and Whizzer fall back in love and face the biggest hard ship they will ever face. Trina is tested as a mother, a wife and an ex. Being a part of a live she never expected. In the end Marvin asks the question 'what would I do if I had not loved you?' and I think that sums up the entire show.

Finn and Lapine comprised a perfect cast. First we have Christian Borle as Marvin, known for his more comedic roles; a two time Tony Award winner for William Shakespeare in Something Rotten and Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher, he brings a tender, sweet, heart breaking quality to Marvin that, in all honesty you wouldn't expect from Christian. As a 24 year old straight female, I never would have thought I'd connect so much with a gay divorced middle aged man, but I did. I chalk that down to Christians brilliant acting and soothing voice. He's a presence on stage. Commanding, but doesn't overpower. He's kind to his fellow actors, very giving. I could go on forever about Christians performance but let's move on to the other actors.

Up next we have the stunningly beautiful Stephanie J. Block as Trina. I say beautiful, but I don't just mean in appearance. Her version of Trina is heartbreaking. A woman who was set to be married to a man for the rest of her life, but as we know, the world is not always so kind to us. She is thrown a curveball and is suddenly a divorcee. Stephanie creates this woman who you love and cherish and want to protect. Her comedic timing and presence in 'I'm Breaking Down' is Tony Award worthy. Funny yet sad. Anyone would be able to connect with Trina, and that is 100% due to Stephanie J. Block. Give this woman a Tony people!!

Now we go to Andrew Rannells as Whizzer. He makes the character of Whizzer, who is narcissistic, charming, selfish and witty, into a character who you feel so much pain for. His Whizzer shows some vulnerability and shows us that he isn't as confident as he may appear. When he sings 'You Gotta Die Sometime' the theatre is at a hush. A beautiful performance by a beautiful man.

Now, for anyone that knows me you know of my love for Christian Borle. I saw him in Thoroughly Modern Millie and was hooked. But this show has a force to be reckoned with and that is Brandon Uranowitz as Mendel Wisenbachfeld. First of all he gives you a hysterical performance. But as hilarious as he is, he seems to be the backbone of the entire musical. Being a psychiatrist, he would be the one to put things into perspective and give the characters a piece of his mind. And Brandon does that and so much more. He brings a loving, complicated nature to Mendel. A father figure, a husband, a lover and a friend. He creates a beautifully intricate human being. He also sings what might be my favourite part in the entire show, which is A Marriage Proposal. He puts so much work into the character, but it isn't visible. And I'm not sure if it's just the love he has for Stephanie or the love Mendel has for Trina, but whatever it is you can see it and you can feel it.

I'm going to group the lovely Betsy Wolfe and Tracie Thoms together because they are the most solid, beautiful couple that graces that stage. I don't know what we did to deserve such a wonderfully solid, stable and gorgeous performance from both of those women, but whatever it is we need to continue doing it. As Cordelia and Doctor Charlotte, Betsy and Tracy show us the ups and downs of their relationship, but in the end we understand why the two fell in love and what each brings to the relationship. When you can see the admiration that each actor has for the other it really is a beautiful thing. These ladies sing their faces off, riff like there's no tomorrow, and break my heart till there's nothing left.

And last but not least we have the powerhouse performance from Mr Anthony Rosenthal. It's always so hard to find kids that have the stamina, the endurance and the talent. In shows like Matilda and School of Rock the kids are immensely talented, but they have an advantage. They have other kids to play off of. Anthony is a kid surrounded by a bunch of grownups. And boy does he hold his own. His Jason is childlike in the most perfect way. He's figuring things out, he's a bit stubborn, he changes his mind constantly and is always learning. He's thoughtful and offers easy, unexpected solutions to problems. He holds his own among Tony winners and nominees. And I cannot wait to see what he does next.

Falsettos came to me in a time when I needed it most. It will hold a special place in my heart probably forever. So I want to thank William Finn and James Lapine for writing it, For Jujamcyn and The Walter Kerr Theatre for bringing it back to Broadway, the teeny tiny band for providing gorgeous music, and the outstandingly brilliant cast for not only their performances, but their kindness and generosity. Thank you Falsettos. I am extremely proud to be invited into your tight knit family.