***** Most theater audiences are unfamiliar with a work called “Falsettos” with a book by William Finn and James Lapine and music/lyrics by Finn. It is in reality a series of books that became what I would call a “chamber” musical as no words are spoken, only sung. The first book is “March of the Falsettos” and then “Falsettoland” and then  more installments were added, “Trousers” and then they were put altogether into a two act musical story called “Falsettos” which is now on the stage of The Court Theatre ( on the University of Chicago campus, as a joint venture with Timeline Theatre, and what an amazing production it is!

The story is about Marvin (  Steven Schellhardt was probably born t play this role) a man who has left his wife, Trina ( deftly handled by Sarah Bockel) and son Jason ( Charlie Long is amazing) to be with his male lover, Whizzer ( played to perfection by Jack Ball). Marvin struggles to keep his family just that, a family so Whizzer is living with them. The first act explores this in greater detail and shows the relationships between Whizzer and Marvin, Marvin and Jason, Jason and Trina, Trina and Marvin and another character, Mendel ( Jackson Evans is sheer perfection in this role), Marvin’s psychiatrist, who later becomes Trina’s, and then her lover, and even later her husband.

During the play, and into the second act, we add a few other characters to the mix. Shariesse Hamilton as Dr, Charlotte and Elizabeth Stenholt as Codelia. These two ladies are lesbians and are also the doctor and the caterer for the upcoming Bar Mitzvah of Jason. During the second act, while exploring the new family dynamics now that Dad is a weekend father and all of the characters are concerned about the upcoming celebration. Who can they invite? Who will want to come? Can they keep it simple? During all of the planning, Whizzer gets ill. I prefer not going into detail as surprise can be a special ingredient but let me just tell you that this was written in the 1980’s so you can probably guess what happened.

Just to let you know, the play begins with a song entitled “Four Jews” and is a perfect lead in to what is going to be important to this story. Central to this musical are its basic themes. Jewish identity, gender roles, coming out and the effect it can have on one’s life and of course the diseases that came about inn the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.

The direction by Nick Bowling is flawless and the cast could not be any better. I will mention that Jason is played on alternate dates by Eli Vander Griend. The movement direction ( a new way of saying choreography without saying choreography) is by William Carlos Angulo. The set designed by Arnel Sancianco is unique and allows for very quick changes so we do not have any dead spots. The flow of this play which is roughly 2 1/2 hours with one intermission is masterful.

The lighting (Maggie Fullilove & Josiah Croegaert) sound (Sarah Ramos), Costumes (Theresa ham) and roller skating instruction ( Batsmoke Entertainment) are all right on working to make this production solid from start to finish. The music direction by Otto Vogel is also right on and I would make this production a MUST SEE . If you or someone in your family is or has grappled with gender identity problems or dealing with situations that  that sound similar to this one, watching this story unfold may allow you to find answers.

I will tell you that this is probably one of hte best productions of the year and there are a great number of solid productions at our area theaters for the holiday season.

“Falsettos” will continue Thru – Dec 8th with performances as follows: