Photos of the 2016 Broadway production: Joan Marcus
7 Reasons You Need The Falsettos Cast Recording In Your Life
by Tom Coppola
Falsettos has been a cult favorite since it premiered in the late 80’s/early 90’s and here are seven reasons why should listen to the sublime Broadway revival cast recording on Ghostlight Records. Prepare yourself for conversion into a Falsettos superfan!
“I’m Breaking Down”
Stephanie J. Block slays in this rendition of a woman on the brink from a failed marriage due to her husband’s infidelities…with men. The only thing missing from the recording is the marvel that is Block singing the end of the song with a half-eaten banana in her mouth, which she did every night in the show, catching the attention of the Tony Awards nomination committee!
Christian Borle
Already a two-time Tony Award winner, Christian was nominated yet again for for his performance as Marvin. Take a look at the video above and you’ll see why.
The Music
Despite the sometimes difficult subject matter, William Finn’s sung-through show is filled with humor, tenderness, gorgeous harmonies and infectious tunes sung by some of the most glorious voices on Broadway today.
The Story
Set in the early 1980’s at the cusp of the AIDS crisis, Falsettos was ahead of its time when it premiered on Broadway in 1992. The plot is even considered provocative by today's standards. Marvin leaves his wife for a man. Said (now ex-) wife ends up romantically involved with Marvin’s psychiatrist. Their son is on the verge of turning 13 and is fraught with anxiety dealing with puberty and this new family dynamic...and that’s just the beginning.
It’s the first fully recorded version of the show
The original 90’s recording is combined of the two original one-act musicals that make up the plot--March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland--and doesn't include all the songs from the revival. This album provides all of the sung dialogue and full songs from the show in its entirety.
Anthony Rosenthal
Rosenthal’s portrayal of soon-to-be-Bar-Mitzvahed Jason is equal parts precocious and mature as he struggles with identity, puberty, Jewish studies and loss. A fine performance by such a young actor ensures that he has a long career ahead. Check him out hosting our coverage of the red carpet for the Newsies movie above to get excited about his tracks on the Falsettos recording!
Brandon Uranowitz
It was no surprise that Uranowitz was a Tony nominee for his performance in Falsettos. As Mendel, the psychiatrist who begins courting Marvin’s wife after she starts coming to him for therapy, he projects neurosis, insecurity and ineffectiveness with his hilarious take on the role.
Check out the cast recording via Ghostlight Records or, even better, watch the production on Broadway HD!