Falsettos

William Finn’s and James Lapine’s Falsettos, winner of two 1992 Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score of a Musical, combines two of the three works of Finn’s “Marvin Trilogy:” March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland. They chronicle the life of Marvin, his wife Trina and son Jason.

As Falsettos begins, Marvin talks about his desire to have a “tight knit family,” which encompasses his ex-wife Trina, his son Jason and his male lover Whizzer. He relies on the advice of his psychiatrist, Mendel, to help him accomplish this, and asks Mendel to tend to his son as well. In making the acquaintance of the son, Mendel becomes enamored with Trina, and eventually they marry. As the first act ends, Marvin has succeeded in alienating all of them in his frenzied desire to keep them all close.

The second act is set two years later, as Jason prepares for his Bar Mitzvah. The “family” has grown to include “the lesbians from next door:” Dr. Charlotte and Cordelia, a kosher caterer. As the story progresses, Marvin and Whizzer reunite as all the adults prepare for Jason’s big day. The plans are derailed when Whizzer is struck by a horrible life-threatening disease. As Marvin deals with realities of his situation, his “tight knit family” circles around him, and by being there, offer their love and support.

David Saint, George Street Playhouse’s Artistic Director, directs.