In this new podcast, Paul chats with the cast and director of “Falsettos” playing through Dec 15^th at the Court Theatre (in cooperation with TimeLine Theatre Company). Set in the late 1970’s and early ‘80s, it’s the story of a Jewish couple with a son who live on the Upper West Side when the husband falls in love with a younger man. How they deal with the challenges to family and relationships and try to seek balance, when…the ultimate challenge confronts them all.

Joining in the conversation are cast members Stephen Schellhardt (Marvin), Jack Ball (Whizzer, Marvin’s Lover), Sarah Bockel (Trina, Marvin’s wife), Jackson Evans (Mendel the psychiatrist) and the production’s director, Nick Boland. The show is funny, sad, engaging and most of all, warm.

Falsettos plays through December 15^th at the Court Theatre (in partnership with TimeLine Theatre Company); Tickets can be purchased at www.courttheatre.org.

Following is Paul’s review of the show:

Review: Falsettos

Playing at Court Theatre through December 15^th.

****/4

Don’t Walk, MARCH to the Court Theatre (in collaboration with TimeLine Theatre) to see “Falsettos” (once known by other titles including “March of the Falsettos) while there are still tickets available. This show is NOT to be missed.

Falsettos is a charming, funny, warm and engaging production that has maintained its impact and importance over the 40+ years since it first appeared on Broadway (in various forms until the current version which had a relatively recent revival with Andrew Rannels and Stephanie J Block).

A critical part of getting this show right is in the casting…and in this Timeline/Court production, the casting is nothing short of sheer perfection.

It’s a story of family, love, challenges, crisis and a desire to establish a new normal amidst the onset of a devastating health crisis. Set in the late 1970s, early ‘80s, (and first produced in that era), the experience of the show was devastating and heart-wrenching. It’s just as meaningful today but in a different way. Society (well at least urban areas like Chicago) have come a long way. Today, we look at same sex relationships as no different than any others. And all relationships come with their challenges, some more than others, but the relationships in Falsettos strained the boundaries of that time, but today trigger our empathy and connection.

Stephen Schellhardt as Marvin and Jack Ball as Whizzer make the perfect couple. The difference in their ages and in life paths could easily happen today, but back then, it was a much more difficult road to navigate, let alone that the relationship was a same sex one, and these actors navigate it with realism and depth.

Special shout out goes to Jackson Evans as Mendel. Evans always brings a sense of unique whimsy to his roles…he’s often  cast in lighter fare which lets his natural comedic skills shine. But here, he must also exercise his dramatic skills and weave between the two which he does with a skillful exactness. He’s allowed to use his voice and range much more than in the typical role I’ve seen him play, and this actor has incredible talent. His cultivating the relationship with Trina (played in fabulous form by Sarah Bockel) and young Jason (played strongly on opening night by Charlie Long) helps the audience connect to those characters.

William Finn and James LaPine exhibit a fantastic collaboration in the book and music which keep the audience with them from the opening moments to the end.

Falsettos is exactly what theater should be…unforgettable. Don’t miss it!