The history of Falsettoland goes back to 1979, when the show 'In Trousers' opened at the off-Broadway hub of Fringe theatre, Playwrights Horizons. For that was to be the start of the 'Falsettos' trilogy spanning the shows 'In Trousers', 'March Of The Falsettos' and 'Falsettoland', in which composer William Finn explores lives of Marvin, his son Jason, his gay ex-lover Whizzer, his wife Trina and her new boyfriend, Mendel. Although there is a clear development of the story across the three shows, each stands on its own so that you dont necessarily have to have seen the previous two before getting to Falsettoland.This show revolves around plans for Jasons Bar Mitzvah, a pivotal day in any Jewish household if only for the parents and not the boy concerned. Marvins split from his wife and her involvement with another man is already complicating matters enough before the arrival of Whizzer, who Jason idolises and Marvin quickly realises he still does too. Their relationship is re-kindled, but as so many did in the era this play is set in, Whizzer falls sick. Its a fast a frenetic piece that suits the Fringe well, although its never really found mass appeal beyond its limited run in New York in the early 90s. Here then, is a scarce chance to see it staged, and whilst an obscure show like Falsettoland isnt going to set the Fringe alight, I do recommend it. The cast are confident and talented, filling every crevice of the George 2 hut with sound and they have the kind of energy thatll have you at the bar afterwards asking for whatever theyre on. There were minor first-night pitch problems, and the material strays into some terrible musical clichés sometimes, but showtunes fans should include it in their schedule as the opportunity is a rare one.
