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FalsettosOpening Date: Oct 27, 2016
Closing Date: Jan 8, 2017 Air date: July 12, 2017 (cinema release) Medium: Cinema, TV, online Where to watch: Amazon, BroadwayHD |
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Stage Production Notes
Penned by William Finn in the mid-1970s, Falsettos began life as a one act musical called In Trousers. The show had its first run at Playwright’s Horizons in 1978, transferring to a larger theatre at the same venue in 1979. The show followed the life of Marvin, a man who decides to leave his wife for his lover, Whizzer.
William Finn continued to write material for the characters of In Trousers in a new one act piece initially titled The Pettiness of Misogyny. The title was later changed to March of the Falsettos, and the show premiered at Playwrights Horizons in 1981.
A third show, Falsettoland opened in 1990.
March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland were combined to form Falsettos, which was first performed in Connecticut at the Hartford Stage in 1991. The show was described as “the story of the charming, neurotic Marvin, who struggles to find an unconventional and loving extended family after leaving his wife and son for his lover Whizzer.”
Falsettos opened on Broadway at the Golden Theater on April 4, 1992, featuring Michael Rupert, Chip Zien, Stephen Bogardus, Heather MacRae, Carolee Carmello, and Barbara Walsh. The production was directed by James Lapine.
Falsettos received rave reviews. Variety’s Jeremy Gerard wrote that the show had “tremendous appeal as a masterly feat of comic storytelling and as a visionary musical theater work,” and Frank Rich of the New York Times stated it was a “heaven-sent gift,” and the “perfect end” to the 1992 Broadway season.
The production was nominated for seven Tony Awards, winning for Best Book and Best Original Score.
A touring version was launched in January, 1993.
Following 23 previews and 487 performances, Falsettos closed on Broadway on June 27, 1993.
A movie version to be directed by James Lapine, and produced by Touchstone Pictures, was reported to be in negotiations in 1993, but never eventuated.
In 2015, it was announced that a Broadway revival of Falsettos would open in the spring of 2016, but due to “casting and fundraising issues,” the production was delayed until the fall.
The Lincoln Center Theater revival began previews at the Walter Kerr Theatre on September 29, 2016, and officially opened on October 27, 2016 for a limited engagement run. The production featured the talents of Stephanie J. Block, Christian Borle, Andrew Rannells, Anthony Rosenthal, Tracie Thomas, Brandon Uranowitz, and Betsy Wolfe.
Like the original Broadway production, the revival of Falsettos received rave reviews. Charles Isherwood, writing for the New York Times stated “There’s hardly a moment in the exhilarating, devastating revival of the musical… that doesn’t approach, or even achieve, perfection.”
The show closed on January 8, 2017.
The production was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival, Best Actor (Christian Borle), Best Featured Actress (Stephanie J. Block), and Best Featured Actor (Andrew Rannells and Brandon Uranowitz).
The original cast of In Trousers reunited for a special panel at BroadwayCon in January 2017, celebrating the “first musical in the ‘Marvin’ trilogy.”
Penned by William Finn in the mid-1970s, Falsettos began life as a one act musical called In Trousers. The show had its first run at Playwright’s Horizons in 1978, transferring to a larger theatre at the same venue in 1979. The show followed the life of Marvin, a man who decides to leave his wife for his lover, Whizzer.
William Finn continued to write material for the characters of In Trousers in a new one act piece initially titled The Pettiness of Misogyny. The title was later changed to March of the Falsettos, and the show premiered at Playwrights Horizons in 1981.
A third show, Falsettoland opened in 1990.
March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland were combined to form Falsettos, which was first performed in Connecticut at the Hartford Stage in 1991. The show was described as “the story of the charming, neurotic Marvin, who struggles to find an unconventional and loving extended family after leaving his wife and son for his lover Whizzer.”
Falsettos opened on Broadway at the Golden Theater on April 4, 1992, featuring Michael Rupert, Chip Zien, Stephen Bogardus, Heather MacRae, Carolee Carmello, and Barbara Walsh. The production was directed by James Lapine.
Falsettos received rave reviews. Variety’s Jeremy Gerard wrote that the show had “tremendous appeal as a masterly feat of comic storytelling and as a visionary musical theater work,” and Frank Rich of the New York Times stated it was a “heaven-sent gift,” and the “perfect end” to the 1992 Broadway season.
The production was nominated for seven Tony Awards, winning for Best Book and Best Original Score.
A touring version was launched in January, 1993.
Following 23 previews and 487 performances, Falsettos closed on Broadway on June 27, 1993.
A movie version to be directed by James Lapine, and produced by Touchstone Pictures, was reported to be in negotiations in 1993, but never eventuated.
In 2015, it was announced that a Broadway revival of Falsettos would open in the spring of 2016, but due to “casting and fundraising issues,” the production was delayed until the fall.
The Lincoln Center Theater revival began previews at the Walter Kerr Theatre on September 29, 2016, and officially opened on October 27, 2016 for a limited engagement run. The production featured the talents of Stephanie J. Block, Christian Borle, Andrew Rannells, Anthony Rosenthal, Tracie Thomas, Brandon Uranowitz, and Betsy Wolfe.
Like the original Broadway production, the revival of Falsettos received rave reviews. Charles Isherwood, writing for the New York Times stated “There’s hardly a moment in the exhilarating, devastating revival of the musical… that doesn’t approach, or even achieve, perfection.”
The show closed on January 8, 2017.
The production was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival, Best Actor (Christian Borle), Best Featured Actress (Stephanie J. Block), and Best Featured Actor (Andrew Rannells and Brandon Uranowitz).
The original cast of In Trousers reunited for a special panel at BroadwayCon in January 2017, celebrating the “first musical in the ‘Marvin’ trilogy.”
Filmed Production Notes
In December 2016, it was announced that the Lincoln Center revival of Falsettos would be filmed by PBS and later broadcast on the program Live from Lincoln Center.
The performances on January 3-4, 2017, were filmed in front of a live audience. Some lyrics featuring “explicit” language were altered for these performances.
In June 2017, it was announced that Falsettos would be screened in select cinemas across the United States on July 12, 2017. The screening was the result of a partnership between Screen Vision Media, Live from Lincoln Center, and Kaos Connect.
Falsettos was released in cinemas across North America on July 12, 2017. Thanks to popular demand, the screenings were extended and made available in more locations. The musical was in cinemas in select locations around the United States until September 10, 2017.
PBS' Great Performances broadcast Falsettos on televisions across North America on October 27, 2017.
Falsettos has been available for online streaming on BroadwayHD since August 14, 2017. It is also currently available on Amazon.
In December 2016, it was announced that the Lincoln Center revival of Falsettos would be filmed by PBS and later broadcast on the program Live from Lincoln Center.
The performances on January 3-4, 2017, were filmed in front of a live audience. Some lyrics featuring “explicit” language were altered for these performances.
In June 2017, it was announced that Falsettos would be screened in select cinemas across the United States on July 12, 2017. The screening was the result of a partnership between Screen Vision Media, Live from Lincoln Center, and Kaos Connect.
Falsettos was released in cinemas across North America on July 12, 2017. Thanks to popular demand, the screenings were extended and made available in more locations. The musical was in cinemas in select locations around the United States until September 10, 2017.
PBS' Great Performances broadcast Falsettos on televisions across North America on October 27, 2017.
Falsettos has been available for online streaming on BroadwayHD since August 14, 2017. It is also currently available on Amazon.
Falsettos PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Walter Kerr Theatre
Producer: Lincoln Center Theater, Jujamcyn Theaters, Ira Weitzman
Book: William Finn and James Lapine
Music and Lyrics: William Finn
Director: James Lapine
Musical Director: Vadim Feichtner
Orchestrations: Michael Starobin
Choreography: Spencer Liff
Scenic Design: David Rockwell
Costume Design: Jennifer Caprio
Lighting Design: Jeff Croiter
Sound Design: Dan Moses Schreier
Stage Manager: Scott Rollison
Cast:
Stephanie J. Block (Trina), Christian Borle (Marvin), Andrew Rannells (Whizzer), Anthony Rosenthal (Jason), Tracie Thoms (Dr. Charlotte), Brandon Uranowitz (Mednel), Betsy Wolfe (Cordelia)
Theatre: Walter Kerr Theatre
Producer: Lincoln Center Theater, Jujamcyn Theaters, Ira Weitzman
Book: William Finn and James Lapine
Music and Lyrics: William Finn
Director: James Lapine
Musical Director: Vadim Feichtner
Orchestrations: Michael Starobin
Choreography: Spencer Liff
Scenic Design: David Rockwell
Costume Design: Jennifer Caprio
Lighting Design: Jeff Croiter
Sound Design: Dan Moses Schreier
Stage Manager: Scott Rollison
Cast:
Stephanie J. Block (Trina), Christian Borle (Marvin), Andrew Rannells (Whizzer), Anthony Rosenthal (Jason), Tracie Thoms (Dr. Charlotte), Brandon Uranowitz (Mednel), Betsy Wolfe (Cordelia)
Sources
Articles
Websites
- Olivia Clement, “Falsettos Screening Sells Out and Extends in Movie Theatres,” Playbill (July 14, 2017)
- Gordon Cox, “‘Falsettos’ Back on Broadway Schedule with Lincoln Center Theater,” Variety (Feb 25, 2016)
- Ruthie Fierberg, “Falsettos on PBS Will Include Lyric Changes,” Playbill (Jan 5, 2017)
- Andrew Gans, “Falsettos Revival Filmed for PBS Broadcast January 3-4,” Playbill (Jan 3, 2017)
- Jeremy Gerard, “Review: ‘Falsettos’,” Variety (April 30, 1992)
- Charles Isherwood, “Review: ‘Falsettos,’ a Perfect Musical, an Imperfect Family,” New York Times (Oct 27, 2016)
- Alvin Klein, “A Singing Affirmation Of the Varieties of Love,” New York Times (Jan 17, 1993)
- Brendan Lemon, “Ira Weitzman: Falsettos Past and Present,” Lincoln Center Theater (Sept 28, 2016)
- Degen Pener, “'Falsettos' on Screen?,” New York Times (Jan 10, 1993)
- Frank Rich, “Falsettos; Broadway Boundary Falls Amid Reunions,” New York Times (April 30, 1992)
- David Rooney, “Broadway's 'Falsettos' Revival to Air on PBS,” The Hollywood Reporter (Dec 21, 2016)
- Matthew Schneier, “An AIDS-Era Musical in an Age of Marriage Equality,” New York Times (Oct 27, 2016)
- Screenvision Media, “Screenvision Media and KAOS Connect Team Up with Live From Lincoln Center to Bring Five-Time Tony Nominated Production of Falsettos to Movie Theaters,” PR Newswire (June 12, 2017)
- Marilyn Stasio, “Broadway Review: ‘Falsettos’,” Variety (Oct 27, 2016)
- Hannah Vine, “See the In Trousers Cast and Creators Reunite at BroadwayCon,” Playbill (Jan 27, 2017)
- PR Newswire, “Broadway's Critically Acclaimed INDECENT and Falsettos Coming to BroadwayHD,” Markets Insider (Aug 3, 2017)
Websites
- Lincoln Center Theater: Falsettos, Accessed via: http://www.lct.org/shows/falsettos/
- Internet Broadway Database: Falsettos, Accessed via: https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-show/falsettos-3448
Written by Luisa Lyons (May, 2017, updated March 2020)