Court Theatre and Timeline Theatre Present, “Falsettos,” November 8 – December 8, 2024
Chicago’s Court Theatre (under the continuing leadership of Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre, with interim artistic leadership from Associate Artistic Director Gabrielle Randle-Bent and Managing Director Heidi Thompson Saunders) and TimeLine Theatre Company (under the leadership of Artistic Director PJ Powers and Executive Director Mica Cole) are set to present William Finn and James Lapine’s Falsettos, a musical tribute to family and its many forms; a playful interrogation of faith and identity; and a celebration of the beauty, complexity, and necessity of love.
The story focuses on Marvin, who has just left his wife (Trina) for his male lover. Not to be outdone, Trina has married Marvin’s therapist; while their son, Jason, is grappling with his parents’ divorce and his looming bar mitzvah. Amidst chaos and change, personal exploration and growth become the only constants. Featuring a sung-through score and set against the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic, Falsettos is a humorous and heartbreaking web of ex-spouses, co-parents, new lovers, and the lesbians next door.
“This is Marvin’s story, a man coming out of the closet in the late 1970s,” explains Director and TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling. “The production celebrates a time of adventure and self-expression, set against the sexual revolution, the disco era, and the very first days of the AIDS epidemic. In writing about Marvin, William Finn and James Lapine have created one of the very first musicals celebrating a ‘normal’ gay life, which, of course, turns out to be equally flawed and fabulous.”
The cast of Falsettos includes Stephen Schellhardt (Marvin); Jack Ball (Whizzer); Sarah Bockel (Trina); Charlie Long (Jason, alternating); Eli Vander Griend (Jason, alternating); Jackson Evans (Mendel); Sharriese Hamilton (Dr. Charlotte); and Elizabeth Stenholt (Cordelia). The creative team includes Otto Vogel (music director); William Carlos Angulo (movement director); Arnel Sancianco, with Associate Lauren Nichols (scenic design); Theresa Ham (costume design); Maggie Fullilove-Nugent and Josiah Croegaert (lighting design); Stephanie Farina and Sarah Ramos (sound design); Deborah Blumenthal (production dramaturg); Becca McCracken, CSA, with Associate Celeste M. Cooper (casting); Kate Ocker (production stage manager); and Katrina Herrmann (assistant stage manager).
“We are proud to present Falsettos together,” shared Court Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre, TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers, and TimeLine Executive Director Mica Cole in a joint statement. “This city has a remarkably supportive, expansive, and uniquely literary theatre community, so a collaboration between two of Chicago’s most dramaturgically rich companies simply makes sense. Court reimagines classic theatre to illuminate our current times. TimeLine explores stories that connect history with the sociopolitical issues of today. Falsettos is a natural intersection of our complementary and mission-driven organizations. We can’t wait for you to join us in Falsettoland.”
Falsetto will run November 8, 2024, through December 8, 2024, at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 7:30pm. Individual tickets and Court subscription packages, including this production, can be purchased by calling the Court Box Office at (773) 753-4472 or online at CourtTheatre.org.
