Music and lyrics: William Finn, Book: William Finn and James Lopine.
Characters[]
Marvin, A homosexual
Whizzer, Marvin's unlikely lover
Trina, Marvins ex
Jason, Minor who loves chess
Mendel, a bad psychiatrist; Trina's husband
Cordelia, a kosher caterer; Charlotte's lover
Charlotte, a doctor; Cordelia's lover
Synopsis[]
Falsettos centers around Marvin, a gay man who divorces his wife, Trina, for another man, Whizzer. Marvin tries to keep his family plus Whizzer together to replicate the heterosexual life he once had, but with Whizzer because Marvin is scared of fully admitting to himself that his family he has made can never go back to what it once was. After Marvin becomes more and more emotionally abusive, Whizzer leaves Marvin, and Marvin stays with Trina and their son, Jason, and Trina's new husband, Mendel the psychiatrist. Two years later, Marvin and Whizzer meet once again at Jason's baseball game and they restart their relationship, Marvin this time much more mature and and accepting of his sexuality. However, the HIV/AIDS crisis is just around the corner.
Act 1[]
Falsettos opens with the main male characters dressed in biblical Jewish robes with Trina also appearing (four Jews in a room bitching). It centers around Marvin, a gay man who leaves his wife, Trina, and his son, Jason, for another man, Whizzer, while still having them all eat together (A Tight-Knit Family). Trina goes to see Marvin's psychiatrist, Mendel (Love is Blind).
Marvin and Whizzer argue, and explain that they love disagreeing (The Thrill of First Love). Marvin goes to the Mendel and tells him about his love for Whizzer, answers questions about Trina, and talks about Jason's complex relationship with him. (Marvin at the Psychiatrist (A Three-Part Mini-Opera)). Jason worries that if, because his father is gay, he may be gay too, and Trina tells him to see a psychiatrist. When Jason says no, Marvin tries convincing him. Jason asks to speak with Whizzer. Whizzer, silently being manipulated by Marvin and Trina, says he should (My Father’s a Homo / Everyone Tells Jason to See a Psychiatrist). Trina, Whizzer, and Jason tell Marvin he needs to stop being rude and controlling (This Had Better Come to a Stop).
Trina has a mental breakdown while making her "banana carrot surprise," while agressively cutting up a carrot and a banana and pretending they're Marvin and Whizzers penises (I'm Breaking Down). Trina asks Mendel to see Jason, and Mendel comes to their house and refuses a dinner before starting Jason's therapy (Please Come to Our House). Jason tells Mendel he does not want to be like his father, and Mendel tells him to "feel alright for the rest of his life" and Jason questions him. 5 sessions later, Jason asks Mendel to propose to Trina. Mendel starts worrying, and Jason uses Mendel's logic against him (Jasons Therapy). Mendel asks Trina to marry him (A Marriage Proposal). Trina complains about the men in her life (Trina's Song). Jason, Marvin, Mendel, and Whizzer all parade around using falsetto voices (March of the Falsettos). Trina reconsiders what she had said (Trina's Song Reprise). Marvin teaches Whizzer to play chess and lets him win. When Whizzer wins, Marvin breaks up with Whizzer in rage (The Chess Game). This is when Whizzer realizes Marvin was abusive and manipulative.
Act 2[]
Act two begins two years on from when act one finished. They give a little recap about what happened in the past two years and Marvin - starting to realize he's hurting those around him - considers if its "about time" to change (welcome to falsetto land). They then celebrate that its the year of Jason's bar mitzvah (The year of the child). While playing baseball, Jason fantasizes about all the girls he likes and would like to invite to his bar mitzvah. However, these girls are not Jewish and it would be a "miracle" if they didn't laugh at him (miracle of Judaism).
Jason goes on to play baseball very poorly and the family cheer him on even though they know their "cheering wont matter". Whizzer turns up to support Jason and Marvin goes crazy about him. This sparks their new relationship (the baseball game). Each character tells us a little about whats going on. Mendel complains about his clients, Trina complains that Marvin and Whizzer are back together, we learn about Charlotte's day in the hospital, Cordelia complains that her job is nothing compared to her lovers and Marvin and Whizzer play a game of racquetball (a day in falsettoland).
Jason realizes that the bar mitzvah is causing more stress than it should and hes annoyed at his parents for being so focused on it. He cancels the bar mitzvah out of anger. Mendel tells him that its okay to hate his parents and god said "Moses everyone hates his parents thats how it is" (the fight/everyone hates his parents). In the next scene, Marvin and Whizzer are in bed. Whizzer is asleep, and Marvin watches him sleeping, unable to believe his luck that the two of them are actually together again (what more can i say). Charlotte has had a bad day at the hospital. Cordelia tries to make her feel better but also wonder what could have happened that has bothered her so much (something bad is happening). Marvin and Whizzer once again play racquetball. However, Marvin is winning, and Whizzer is shocked. Whizzer collapses. Marvin comforts him as they realize that something is seriously wrong (more racquetball).
As the stage is transformed into a hospital, Trina reflects on Whizzer’s worsening condition. She struggles to keep herself together at the prospect of Whizzer’s death. She reflects on their complicated, interconnected family, and how much they all really care about each other (holding to the ground). The characters all visit Whizzer in hospital, one by one. They all attempt to reassure him by declaring how great he looks. Jason, too young to understand tact, is the only one who tells Whizzer the truth that he looks "awful". Marvin offers love and comfort. Cordelia brings food. Mendel offers psychiatry and an open ear. Jason suggests a chess game but Whizzer has now realized that winning a game isn't everything in life so when Jason says he will let him win, he declines because he has realized family and friends are more important (days like this).
Trina and Mendel offer Jason the option to cancel his bar mitzvah because of Whizzer’s declining health. Jason wants to push the bar mitzvah back until Whizzer is healthy again even though he is dying. Trina and Mendel cannot bring themselves to tell Jason that Whizzer isn’t going to make it, so Jason cannot make a decision. Trina and Mendel are try to comfort themselves and wonder how to proceed. Whizzer is thankfull that he is able to spend his last few days with the people he loves (four unlikely lovers). Jason prays for the first time, pleading with God to cure Whizzer (another miracle of Judaism). Dr. Charlotte tells Marvin about Whizzer’s worsening condition, confirming the fears that Whizzer will in fact die from his disease, AIDS (something bad is happening reprise).
Whizzer reflects on his impending death as he sits alone in his hospital room. He wants to face death bravely and callously, but he is scared, angry, and sad (you gotta die sometime). Jason finally figures out how to proceed with his bar mitzvah, it’ll be in Whizzer’s hospital room. The group surprise Whizzer with the party. As Jason finalizes the ceremony, Whizzer dies, surrounded by his family and those who love him (Jason's bar mitzvah). After Whizzer’s death, Marvin reflects on their relationship and how Whizzer has changed his life. Whizzer’s spirit come back, dressed as he was in the first scene (what would i do?). Mendel ends the musical by repeating the same lyrics that he sang at the beginning of Act II – only now, much more somber after Whizzer’s death. The show ends with a headstone, and Jason puts the king chess piece on top, before they all go into a group hug then leave the stage (falsettoland reprise).
