Falsettos PBS Broadcast- Page 2

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 6/5/19 at 2:29am

SmoothLover said: "I preferred the original cast to the actors that were assembled for the revival. Chip Zien had more charisma than Boyle, the actor who originally played Whizzer was gorgeous, had a more masculine take and when he sang his 10 O'clock number it sent shivers down my spine. I also adored Allison Frazier and her vocal quality was perfect for the score."

Chip Zien was so good that Uranowitz seemed to be doing an impersonation of Zien's Mendel, but I don't know why you are comparing him to Christian Borle. Borle certainly didn't have the charisma of Michael Rupert's truly legendary performances as Marvin, but neither did many other male leads in my 50 years of theater-going.

As for Whizzer, maybe you saw Brent Barrett, who took over for Stephen Bogardus early in the run of "March". Bogardus was not more handsome than Rannells, not by any definition of male beauty I have ever heard, and not more handsome than Barrett. I realize some people don't like Rannells' style of male belting--but I do very much and, anyway, Bogardus, a strong actor, sings almost everything sharp. (I'm listening to him right now.)

I agree with your praise for Alison Frazier, but she is clearly flat much of the time on the recording. Maybe vocal pitch isn't your "thing". LOL. I remember Carolee Carmello being much funnier when FALSETTOS first came to LA (I had moved by then), but nowhere near as funny as Block.

Updated On: 6/6/19 at 02:29 AM

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 6/5/19 at 3:28pm

GavestonPS said: "SmoothLover said: "I preferred the original cast to the actors that were assembled for the revival. Chip Zien had more charisma than Boyle, the actor who originally played Whizzer was gorgeous, had a more masculine take and when he sang his 10 O'clock number it sent shivers down my spine. I also adored Allison Frazier and her vocal quality was perfect for the score."

Chip Zien was so good that Uranowitz seemed to be doing an impersonation of Zien's Mendel, but I don't know why you are comparing him to Christian Borle. Borle certainly didn't have the charisma of Michael Rupert's truly legendary performances as Marvin, but neither did many other male leads in my 65 years of theater-going.

As for Whizzer, maybe you saw Brent Barrett, who took over for Stephen Bogardus early in the run of "March". Bogardus was not more handsome than Rannells, not by any definition of male beauty I have ever heard, and not more handsome than Barrett. I realize some people don't like Rannells' style ofmale belting--but I do very muchand, anyway, Bogardus, a strong actor, sings almost everything sharp. (I'm listening to him right now.)

I agree with your praise for Alison Frazier, but she is clearly flat much of the time on the recording. Maybe vocalpitch isn't your "thing". LOL. I remember Carolee Carmello being much funnier when FALSETTOS first came to LA (I had moved by then), but nowhere near as funny as Block."

I confused Chip and Michael with the roles they played. It was so many years ago and it has been a long time since I have listened to the recording but I remember thinking that both actors were outstanding. So yes, Rupert had more charisma than Boyle That being said, I think Boyle is very talented and is quite versatile. I have been impressed with his television appearances on Masters of Sex, Smash and The Good Wife. He is very in touch with his character's emotional core. I think I probably saw Barrett and I do know he is a VERY attractive man. I think the original Whizzer on the recording sounds wonderful however. When Rannells sang These Are The Games I Play (If that is the correct title) I got very little from it.  It I had cast the revival I would have considered Raul Esparza for Marvin.