March Of The Falsettos
by William Finn


Highlights
Awards & Recognition
Winner! 1981 Outer Critics Circle Award, Best Off-Broadway Play
Synopsis
March of the Falsettos" is the title song of this act of the show.
William Finn planned on calling the show "The Pettiness of Misogyny", but then he decided to go with a less direct and more subtle title, calling it "March of the Falsettos".
But what does the title mean?
The central theme of the show is the characters lack of maturity (as they also state themselves in this song) and their journey of growing out of their childish behavior.
Something that for instance Marvin needs to do to be the father Jason needs.
Jason, whose voice hasn't yet changed, sings an octave higher than the other three men throughout the show.
This is the only song, that all four men sing in the same register, since Marvin, Medel and Whizzer sing in the falsetto, losing the symbol of manhood - their changed voices.
None of these men have grown up yet.
All of them are still very self-centered, self-involved and insist on getting whatever they want.
The "March of the Falsettos" is their journey from childhood to becoming adults.
Press Reviews
"One feels the unmistakable charge of pure talent."
— The New York Times
"Has an exhilarating champagne tang... In an operatic mode, sans dialogue, Finn... unveils the bitter sweet saga of Marvin, who divorces his wife to be with his male lover... In astringency and cleverness, Finn is the child of Stephen Sondheim."
— Time
Characters
| Character |
|---|
Trina his ex-wife |
Jason his son |
Whizzer Brown his lover |
Mendel his psychiatrist |
Marvin |
Publication
March Of The Falsettos is a American play written by William Finn and published by Samuel French in New York (1981).
Digital editions available on Amazon Kindle.
Community Reviews
No community reviews yet
Buy Play
Paperback
Samuel French · 1981 · 114 pp
Digital prices may vary by region and tax jurisdiction.
Performance Rights
Similar Plays
Plays with similar themes, style, and content.
More from William Finn
More plays from William Finn that we think you'll enjoy.
















