Falsettos- Page 4

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/16/17 at 12:51am

Rumpelstiltskin said: "The missing/changed lyrics are the ones that have stuck with me for years.  My husband and I often describe rooms decorated with exquisite style as "homo baroque", and I use the chicken fat line to complain that although my work is highly regarded, it will never compare in some people's eyes to his achievements as a doctor.  They will be missed!

I also don't buy the justification for changing the bald spot line.  I've seen many Whizzers over the years, and although some of the actors weren't the best singers, they were universally gorgeous with perfect hair.  (The one exception would be Stephen Bogardus in the original production.  Gorgeous with an actual bald spot.)  The bald spot line is funny because "the only physical imprerfection that he's got" is one that only Marvin could see, meaning that in fact, Whizzer has no physical imperfections.  (Regardless, "bald spot" is funny, "hairline" is not.)

 

"

And if I may be literal for a moment, Marvin talks about the bald spot/hair line after telling Whizzer to "Sit in front of me." In front of Marvin on the lower tier, Marvin can indeed see a bald spot, but Whizzer's hair line is actually blocked from his view. If it were the hair line Marvin wanted to see, he would have left Whizzer sitting at the end of the lower row.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/16/17 at 12:58am

GeorgeandDot said: "The lyric changes being discussed here were made for the original Broadway run many years ago.  They were not made for this new revival (except for the hairline lyric).  That's what happens when you record a show off-broadway and then make many alterations to the score when it gets to Broadway.  The final lyrics went unrecorded until this new cast album.  Finn actually made no changes to the score for this revival.

 

"

Thank you for the correction, which I accept... tentatively. As you can see, I know the off-Broadway recordings by heart. I have trouble believing I noticed so few of the changes when I saw the national tour with the original cast in LA. But, hell, it's been 20 years and I now have trouble remembering what I saw on TV last night.

[belrowley]

Posted: 7/16/17 at 1:29am

I went to a screening in downtown LA today and it was packed. The crowd was super enthused and receptive, and applauded after nearly every number. Pretty much everyone was sobbing by the end - a lady sitting near me was passing around a box of tissues near the end, haha.

I had tickets for the Broadway run but got snowed out in New Jersey on the day of my show and missed it. I'm glad I finally got to see this beautiful production - the cinematography/editing were gorgeous and the close-ups really helped to capture the nuanced performances. I really wish they'd do this more often for limited-run shows - there's clearly an audience for it!

[Nycat63]

Posted: 7/16/17 at 6:12pm

Some thoughts after seeing this today (and on Broadway in November)...

It was beautifully shot.  What a privilege to see these performances so close-up.  Please, please, please release a DVD.  

Christian Borle - who I adore - left me just slightly cold in Nov.  He clearly grew into Marvin because his performance was light years better and this time really moved me.  

SJB should have won that Tony.  But I thought that even before seeing the movie.  I think it even more now.  

Having seen Dolly just after the Tonys - and not thinking its Best Revival win was undeserved - I would now go 50/50 on which revival deserved it more.  

It was very strange not to applaud.  Not one person in my theater applauded after songs or at the end during bows. "I'm Breaking Down" got a couple "wows" but otherwise complete silence.  It was weird.  

With new dates apparently going up in some cities (not mine, unfortunately), please go see this if you have a chance.  It really was well done.  A beautiful preservation of a wonderful musical.  

 

 

 

 

 

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 7/16/17 at 7:34pm

Saw it yesterday morning. I am so glad they filmed it, I was able to catch it in December but now I will forever have this recording to relive this amazing production (even if there is no DVD I can assure you it will be 'out there' in some form).

Soooome people applauded after every number, I did too for many although I will admit I felt a bit silly haha. And there was a full house applause for "I'm Breaking Down." I too was again bowled over by Block's amazing performance, definitely award worthy. The whole cast was giving such a great ensemble performance, and seeing them post on social media you really get the feel that this show and production touched them immensely and that they truly were a "tight knit family."

My theatre was almost filled and pretty diverse, a lot of pretty old folks, as well as a lot of what must have been high school students. And groups from nearby CMU and PITT. By the final number the theatre was full of not only sobbing, but a lot of full on CRYING. I made sure to bring my tissues and they did not go unused. The "Welcome to Falsettoland" reprise ALWAYS GETS ME. When I saw it in December I did not at first realize what the section they took out of the cube was and when I did... Just love that touch.

I'm really glad to hear there are additional screenings announced. I may see it again!

Side note, also glad to hear ANGELS IN AMERICA will be screened here in August as well, for I'll be in Manhattan seeing shows this week and was bummed to be missing it.

[MVintheheartland]

Posted: 7/16/17 at 8:15pm

I saw Falsettos this afternoon at a movie theater in suburban Chicago, and all I can say is: Holy Crap. What an unbelievable production and cast. I had seen Bette Midler in "Hello Dolly", but let's face it, she just played Bette Midler. SJB was just amazing, and should have gotten the Tony.

Unfortunately, the theater was only about 1/4 full, and not too much in terms of applause. I clapped when I could, especially at "I'm Breaking Down". Just fabulous.

I know that Ben Platt totally deserved that Tony (I saw him in DEH same trip I saw Dolly) but wow, Borle and Rannells were just amazing. Their final song together just brought tears to my eyes.

The young man who played Jason was so excellent. Sorry I am gushing about this production. I had to see it alone, as my Broadway buddies were out of town, but so glad I did. 

Oldiebutgoodie

 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Posted: 7/16/17 at 9:22pm

While nothing can compete with a live performance, I enjoyed this at least as much as seeing it live in November.  Our center mezzanine seats allowed a perfect view of the stage last fall, but we missed facial expressions and other subtle character reactions that this production captured beautifully.  The cast was even better than I remembered.

My only complaint is the lyric changes that we have been discussing in this thread.  When "how could I know, without him, my life would become boring as shit" becomes "how could I know, without him, my life would become flat as a lake", it loses its bite.  Although these were just blips in an otherwise perfect production, they lost me at crucial moments.   (I know this was filmed for PBS, and that requires special considerations, but it's a shame these changes are a small blemish on what otherwise could have been the definitive rendering of the work.)

I've already written about how poorly this was marketed in Houston.  It wasn't shown in any of our movie theaters inside our inner loop, where the target audience lives.  And, there was relatively no publicity of any kind, so very few people knew it was being shown.  I saw it in a very small theater in a very large multiplex about 45 minutes from our city center.  The crowd of only about 30 was respectful and appreciative, and there were many tears, but the production deserved a wider audience.  

Thanks to all who had the wherewithal to capture this very limited run, and to capture it in a way that honors the beauty of the work and the performances.

[HennySlay]

Posted: 7/16/17 at 9:48pm

Me Nowack, what theatre did you see it at? I love near Pittsburgh and I would love to see it. I'm not sure if the theatre will add more performances, but I'd definitely check.

[South Florida]

Posted: 7/16/17 at 9:48pm

I once wrote in this forum that I thought Christian Borle was miscast.  Today changed my opinion, the whole cast was phenomenal and could anyone cast a better Whizzer?  Thought Trina was practically a leading role, she never disappoints, Steph makes the world go round.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 7/16/17 at 10:17pm

I saw it at the South Side Works cinema. It was the first showing of anything  that day and I was dismayed to see the theatre wasn't open yet when I got there at 10:25. They let us in at about quarter till haha. 

[PepperedShepherd]

Posted: 7/16/17 at 11:20pm

belrowley said: "I went to a screening in downtown LA today and it was packed. The crowd was super enthused and receptive, and applauded after nearly every number. Pretty much everyone was sobbing by the end - a lady sitting near me was passing around a box of tissues near the end, haha."

I was at this screening today, too, and was quite surprised at the size of the crowd. Signs of intelligent life on a weekend in Downtown LA!

Anyway, Falsettos was the first show I saw on my week-long visit to NYC last fall. It was also the last.  I didn't originally have tickets to that 2nd performance, but I loved my first viewing so much, I paid premium prices just to experience it again. At the time, it had just opened and there was no indication that it would have any life beyond its limited run.

I was ecstatic when I heard that it was to be featured on 'Live at Lincoln Center'.  At least this fabulous production would be memorialized in some way.

What I didn't expect, however, was that it would be done so beautifully.  It was quite possibly the best recording of a stage show I have ever seen.  The direction of the broadcast by Matthew Diamond was phenomenal.  The framing, the editing, the camerawork, the use of close-ups, zooms, tracking shots, high angles, etc., was consistently intelligent, judiciously employed, and served to highlight & enhance the performance.  It respected the stagecraft on display, while adding a dash of cinematic flair to the proceedings. That it was all done over the course of only 2 performances is amazing.

I looked up Mr. Diamond's other credits, since he gets no mention in articles about Falsettos online.  (They all say the direction is by James Lapine, which is true of the stage direction, but not the cinema direction.)  It turns out he directed The Wiz Live! for NBC and has quite a few 'Live from Lincoln Center' and MET Opera broadcasts to his credit.

They've added another screening for next Friday night in Hollywood.  Although it's a busy week -- for one, NTLive's Angels in America is the night before -- I still might have to go.  Who knows when (or if?) PBS will ever get around to showing it.

Updated On: 7/16/17 at 11:20 PM

[Nycat63]

Posted: 7/16/17 at 11:28pm

Article still says it will air on PBS but strange that there's no date and the rest of the season has been announced (why we need yet another rerun of the Hamilton doc I don't know).  Anyway, here's hoping. I'd at least love to save this on my DVR in case there's no DVD release.  

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/PBS-Announces-Air-Dates-for-SHE-LOVES-ME-PRESENT-LAUGHTER-HOLIDAY-INN-More-20170712

 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 1:39am

South Florida said: "I once wrote in this forum that I thought Christian Borle was miscast.  Today changed my opinion, the whole cast was phenomenal and could anyone cast a better Whizzer?  Thought Trina was practically a leading role, she never disappoints, Steph makes the world go round.

 

"

Couldn't agree more. Went back to see the filmed version for the second time and was totally captivated by Christian Borle! It took me awhile to warm up to his acting choices but I finally "got" him today. (It was hard to let go of my attachment to Michael Rupert, but as Marvin sings, "It's about time."

In Palm Springs, the theater was sold out AND they were showing the film in a second theater as well. Little applause but lots of sobbing.

PLEASE NOTE: At least here in Southern California, ANGELS IN AMERICA airs on Thursday night (7/20) and the second half a week later (7/27). If anyone lives here and waits until August he will miss it...

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 1:54am

Thank you for that Gaveston, as he notes the above about ANGELS is only applicable for the South Side Works Cinema in Pittsburgh. Check your local listings!!!

[Margo319]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 2:07am

Live From Lincoln Center has not announced their dates yet.  Falsettos is not part of "Great Performances" on PBS.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 2:14am

I am just concerned that no listing yet means it won't be seen this fall. Does anyone know how far in advance these things are announced??

[Huey's Pop]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 1:49pm

I attended the Saturday 1PM screening at LA Live in Downtown LA. Lots of applause after most musical numbers, and lots of crying. The casting and the performances were exceptional and the camera work and direction were perfect. I was lucky enough to see most of the original cast perform March of the Falsettos here many years ago at the Doolittle Theater; and then Falsettoland at the Ahmanson. The show  holds up perfectly.

[Nycat63]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 2:19pm

Margo319 said: "Live From Lincoln Center has not announced their dates yet.  Falsettos is not part of "Great Performances" on PBS.

 

PBS has it listed for October 27. 

http://www.pbs.org/sponsorship/features/best-of-broadway/