Falsettos

About the show

In 1979, New York City, Marvin, his ten-year-old son Jason, his psychiatrist Mendel, and his lover Whizzer are in the midst of an argument ("Four Jews in a Room Bitching"). Marvin explains the situation: he has left his wife, Trina, for a man, Whizzer, but no one is happy with his attempts to integrate Whizzer into the family ("A Tight-Knit Family"). At Marvin's suggestion, Trina visits Mendel and explains she is having trouble accepting the end of her marriage and her failure to be a perfect wife. Mendel, instantly attracted to her, tries to reassure her that she is not to blame ("Love Is Blind"). Marvin and Whizzer note that they have very little in common but are intensely attracted to each other and worry that their feelings for one another are fading ("The Thrill of First Love"). In a series of therapy sessions with Mendel, Marvin discusses his relationship with Whizzer, his failed relationship with Trina (with Mendel pressing him for intimate details about her), and his inability to connect with his son ("Marvin at the Psychiatrist - A Three-Part Mini-Opera"). Jason is worried that he will turn out to be gay like his father ("My Father's a Homo"). His parents suggest that he see Mendel to address his mood swings. Jason refuses to listen to his parents but agrees to go to therapy once Whizzer also recommends it ("Everyone Tells Jason to See a Psychiatrist"). Marvin and Whizzer fight over Whizzer's disdain for monogamy and Marvin's attempt to force him into the role of a housewife ("This Had Better Come to a Stop"). Trina is concerned that Whizzer is taking her place in the family and has a mental breakdown ("I'm Breaking Down"). Trina requests that Mendel provide in-home therapy for Jason ("Please Come to Our House"). Mendel gets to know Trina and Jason through these sessions ("Jason's Therapy"). Mendel clumsily proposes to Trina ("A Marriage Proposal"). She accepts, sparking jealousy in Marvin ("A Tight-Knit Family - Reprise"). Trina is frustrated with the male-dominated world she lives in and the immaturity of the men around her ("Trina's Song"). The four boys sing a hymn to masculinity, the three adults singing in falsetto to match Jason's unbroken voice ("March of the Falsettos"). Trina collects herself and calms down from her frustration ("Trina's Song - Reprise"). Marvin tries to teach Whizzer how to play chess, but both of their bitterness boils over, causing them to fight and break up ("The Chess Game"). Meanwhile, Trina and Mendel move in together ("Making a Home"). As he packs his things to leave, Whizzer reflects on his life and relationship with Marvin. He has been used by other men his whole life, and finally decides that he doesn't want to live like that anymore ("The Games I Play"). After receiving Mendel and Trina's marriage announcement, Marvin breaks down in rage and slaps Trina ("Marvin Hits Trina"). Shocked by his actions, everyone confesses that they never intended to feel so deeply about the people in their lives, and they accept the pain that love can bring ("I Never Wanted to Love You"). Jason discovers his attraction to girls, to his relief. In the wake of the destruction of his relationships with both Whizzer and Trina, Marvin sits Jason down for a talk. Marvin tells Jason that no matter what kind of man Jason turns out to be, Marvin will always be there for him, ending the act with the two in a warm embrace ("Father to Son"). It is 1981, two years later. Two new characters are introduced: Marvin's lesbian neighbors, Dr. Charlotte, an internist, and Cordelia, a gentile caterer who is beginning to attempt to offer Jewish cuisine. Marvin has not seen Whizzer for two years and has not gotten over him ("Falsettoland"). Marvin observes that it's time for him to grow up and get over himself ("About Time"). He has managed to maintain his relationship with Jason and now shares split custody of him with Trina, who has married Mendel. Marvin and Trina begin planning Jason's bar mitzvah, and each character has a different opinion regarding how it should be celebrated ("Year of the Child"). Later, at Jason's Little League Baseball game, Jason ponders which girls he will invite to the bar mitzvah ("Miracle of Judaism"). Whizzer arrives at the baseball game after being invited by Jason. Marvin cautiously asks Whizzer on a date just as Jason manages to hit the ball ("The Baseball Game"). An interlude ends with everyone reflecting on how wonderful life is ("A Day in Falsettoland"). Soon afterwards, Marvin and Trina argue at length about the logistics of the bar mitzvah ("The Fight"). Jason wants to call it off because of all the arguing, and Mendel consoles him, telling him that hating his parents is normal for his age, but everyone eventually matures ("Everyone Hates His Parents"). Later, Marvin sits in bed looking at a sleeping Whizzer, and wonders at how much he loves him ("What More Can I Say?"). Dr. Charlotte, meanwhile, is becoming aware that young gay men in the city are arriving at the hospital sick with a mysterious illness that no one understands ("Something Bad Is Happening"). Whizzer collapses suddenly during a game of racquetball and is hospitalized ("More Racquetball"). Trina is disturbed to realize how upset she is at his condition ("Holding to the Ground"). In Whizzer's hospital room, everyone gathers to cheer him up, commenting on how well he looks. They agree that it is days like this that make them believe in God, but Jason is honest and tells Whizzer that he looks awful ("Days Like This"). Jason wants to wait for Whizzer to get well before holding his bar mitzvah, but Mendel and Trina sit him down to inform him that Whizzer may not recover ("Canceling the Bar Mitzvah"). Marvin sits in Whizzer's hospital room, joined by Cordelia and Dr. Charlotte, and the four reaffirm their commitment to each other despite Whizzer's worsening situation ("Unlikely Lovers"). As Whizzer's condition deteriorates, Jason turns to God, offering to "get bar mitzvah-ed" in exchange for Whizzer getting better ("Another Miracle of Judaism"). Dr. Charlotte explains more about the illness to Marvin and implies that Marvin may become sick as well ("Something Bad Is Happening - Reprise"). Whizzer's illness becomes terminal, and he resolves to face death with dignity and courage ("You Gotta Die Sometime"). Everyone bursts into the room; Jason has decided he wants to hold the ceremony in Whizzer's hospital room ("Jason's Bar Mitzvah"). As Jason completes his recitation, Whizzer collapses and is taken from the room, followed by everyone but Marvin. Marvin, left alone, asks the departed Whizzer what his life would be like if they had not loved each other. Whizzer's spirit appears, asking if Marvin regrets their relationship, and Marvin states he would do it all again ("What Would I Do?"). Marvin's friends and family surround him, and he breaks down in their arms. Jason places Whizzer’s king chess piece on the casket, representing the time they spent together playing chess. Mendel steps forward, declaring: "This is where we take a stand," ending the act with a solemn allusion to the beginning of the act, what was once cheery and bouncy, is now depressing and cold.("Falsettoland - Reprise").