Theatrical magic is on display at the Pearl M. McManus Theater at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club: Falsettos, Dezert Performs’ final production of the season—and the company’s final offering at their longtime home before moving to their very own building in the fall—is not to be missed.
Falsettos, which premiered on Broadway in 1992, is a Tony Award-winning musical with book by William Finn and James Lapine, and music and lyrics by Finn. (A sad note: Finn passed away at the age of 73 earlier this month.) It is the moving story, set in 1979 to start, about a group of people whose lives are turned upside down when Marvin leaves his wife, Trina, and his son, Jason, for his new lover, a man named Whizzer. Marvin is seeing a psychiatrist, Mendel; complications are added when Trina also begins to see Mendel professionally, and Mendel develops feelings for Trina.
Falsettos is completely sung, with glorious melodies and superb, clever lyrics. Under the musical direction of Stephen Hulsey, with a small ensemble of musicians located to the side of the stage, this production dazzles with its perfection. Dennis Courtney’s direction and choreography are smart and fluid, and work extremely well with Rick Bluhm’s simple and effective set design. Christopher Metzger’s costumes are on target for the timeframe (leisure suit and necktie widths included), while Chase Potter’s lighting adds the right amount of mood and focus to keep the story centered.
With the creative team putting the production elements in place, it falls upon the cast to bring the story to life—and this was done with aplomb! Each actor has a strong singing voice filled with nuance and variety. The difficult thing about this show is making the characters sympathetic and not just self-centered whiners. The sold-out opening-night audience quickly became involved in the story, and the energy being exchanged between them and the performers was palpable. The opening number, “Four Jews in a Room Bitching,” with the four male performers donning robes and fake beards, launched the evening joyously.
Tim Ewing creates a mature, commanding Marvin, a man wants his nuclear family to not be wounded as he pursues excitement and passion with his boy-toy, Whizzer. Patrick Joseph Wallace’s Whizzer is an excellent foil for Marvin; the ups and downs of their relationship are always interesting to observe.
Stephanie Lynne Mason’s Trina is delightful and poignant as she struggles to deal with the emotions. A definite audience-pleaser: her first-act number as she prepares food … while channeling Lorena Bobbitt.
Skylar Gaines is energetic and physical as Mendel. He’s teetering on the boundaries of professional ethics, but his attraction for Trina and becoming a step-parent for Jason are well-displayed.
Finding the right young actor to play the difficult role of Jason is always a huge challenge when mounting Falsettos, and here, 12-year-old William Spitz gives an excellent, canny performance. He has a bright future ahead if he chooses to pursue acting.
In Act II, we are introduced to “the lesbians from next door.” Laura Stearns plays Dr. Charlotte with caring and confidence while faced with the early unknowns of the developing AIDS crisis. Maggie Barry’s Cordelia, Charlotte’s partner, is a caterer who is very devoted to Charlotte while searching for her own successful identity. Both women add a richness to the storyline.
A main plotline in Act II involves Jason’s bar mitzvah. How and if this will happen is tied to what is happening with Marvin and Whizzer. The conclusion is sure to bring a tear to your eye and leave you with many things to think about regarding family, relationships and love.
I urge any lover of outstanding theater to get your ticket and see this production of Falsettos!
Dezart Performs’ production of Falsettos is performed at 7 p.m., Friday through Sunday; and 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, through Sunday, April 27, at the Pearl McManus Theater at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club, 314 S. Cahuilla Road, in Palm Springs. Tickets are $53 plus fees, and the show runs 120 minutes, with one intermission. For more information, call 760-322-0179, or visit www.dezartperforms.com.
Terry. You gave a wonderful review for this show. I found it so interesting that Marvin is usually played as more of a cad. Here, Mr Ewing has found more of a heart with his anxiety. He is very human.
A wonderful show – a heartbreaking one, too.