Question about Christian Borle's reaction to I'm Breaking Down

[irishgator1]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 7:26am

I saw Falsettos on Saturday night- great cast and superbly done! During Stephanie J. Block's I'm Breaking Down scene (which was AMAZING), I kept noticing that Christian Borle was smiling a lot and chuckling as he watched her.

I'm just curious if that reaction is scripted or if that was his real reaction to watching an incredible scene?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 7:50am

That would be pretty unprofessional of him if it was "his real reaction".

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 7:50am

That would be pretty unprofessional of him if it was "his real reaction".

[irishgator1]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 8:31am

OK, thanks.  He just had a look of wonderment that no one else had that it made me curious. I wasn't familiar at all with this show, so I didn't know if the character is supposed to be enjoying seeing his ex having a meltdown.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 9:36am

Mind you, my statement was a general....there is always a possibility he broke character.  (I'm seeing the show tomorrow night and will report back!)

[hypno68]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 9:52am

Do you mean from the wings? Because Marvin isn't in the scene with Trina as she sings "I'm Breaking Down"- it's a soliloquy. 

[newintown]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 9:54am

That was my first thought, too - Marvin isn't on stage during that song...

[PianoMann]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 9:55am

irishgator1 said: "He just had a look of wonderment that no one else had that it made me curious. I wasn't familiar at all with this show, so I didn't know if the character is supposed to be enjoying seeing his ex having a meltdown."

I noticed this as well when I saw the Sunday matinee, so I think it's a character choice.

 

hypno68 said: "Do you mean from the wings? Because Marvin isn't in the scene with Trina as she sings "I'm Breaking Down"- it's a soliloquy."

All of the characters are seated on stage during "I'm Breaking Down" in this production (and most other songs in the first act, too).

[irishgator1]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 9:56am

hypno68 said: "Do you mean from the wings? Because Marvin isn't in the scene with Trina as she sings "I'm Breaking Down"- it's a soliloquy. 

 

"

Maybe that would explain it. I was sitting pretty far over so from my perspective, it seemed the rest of the cast was sitting off to the side, but still on-stage, on the building blocks.  Maybe they were actually in the wings? A lot of Trina's table/blocks were in my line of sight, so I didn't get the best look at where everyone else was at the time.

In any case, scripted or not, unprofessional or not, I actually quite enjoyed watching Borle's face, when I could tear my eyes away from SJB!

[PianoMann]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 10:13am

irishgator1 said: "hypno68 said: "Do you mean from the wings? Because Marvin isn't in the scene with Trina as she sings "I'm Breaking Down"- it's a soliloquy."

Maybe that would explain it. I was sitting pretty far over so from my perspective, it seemed the rest of the cast was sitting off to the side, but still on-stage, on the building blocks.  Maybe they were actually in the wings? A lot of Trina's table/blocks were in my line of sight, so I didn't get the best look at where everyone else was at the time."

You're not wrong, they're seated stage right intentionally visible to the audience.

 

[Kad]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 10:17am

Yes, in this staging, Marvin is indeed onstage "watching" Trina. Actually, I seem to recall that the ensemble is onstage most of the time in the first act, even when they are not involved in the action.

[irishgator1]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 10:47am

Thanks, PianoMann and Kad; wasn't sure if I was losing my mind so thanks for confirming I'm not (at least not yet).

I wanted to add that I went to the stage door and it was a very pleasant experience.  All but Stephanie and Andrew came out and the door guy told people that they were already gone, which was nice of him.  Tracie Thoms was really enthusiastic about the fans. Anthony Rosenthal has more poise in his little finger at 12 than I do at 40.

[Skimbleshanks2]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 4:43pm

Wait... you mean to tell me ANDREW RANNELLS doesn't stage door?? WHY??? He stage doored at HEDIWG and was soooo nice... Is he suddenly too good for us????

He's a TALENT but that is some shady nonsense...I need more info...

[Kad]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 4:58pm

Uh, no one said he doesn't. He just didn't after that performances. Actors have a right to not do so, whether they have guests, or a commitment, or if they simply don't feel like it.

[irishgator1]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 5:05pm

It was my impression that Stephanie J. Block and Andrew Rannells do stage door at least some time since the guy made it a point to tell folks that they had already left and not to expect them that evening. I'm guessing they rushed home since it was Election Night as the man said they left right after the show ended.

[Skimbleshanks2]

Posted: 11/10/16 at 10:27pm

Okay...whew...Obviously, it's been a tense week...I just got heated...Sorry...