Orange County Calendar : Theater Review : Cast Brings New Energy, Insight to ‘Falsettos’

Might as well get it off the chest up front: UC Irvine’s production of William Finn and James Lapine’s “Falsettos” has it all over the Broadway production. There it is.

There are several things to support this broad statement. One is the youth of the performers, their across-the-board glorious voices and their unqualified joy in their every moment on stage.

The original Broadway leads have been playing these roles ever since “The March of the Falsettos,” the first section of this full version, first opened off-Broadway in 1981. This cast brings fresh eyes, new insights and unbounded zeal to the story of one type of today’s extended families.

Marvin has divorced his wife Trina to live with his male lover, Whizzer. While treating Marvin’s 12-year-old son, Jason, Marvin’s psychiatrist Mendel falls for and marries Trina. Oddly extended, but not all that unusual in today’s society.

Another strong point: musical director Dennis Castellano’s wonderfully crisp, juicy conducting of Michael Starobin’s orchestrations for the Finn/Lapine score. Castellano creates a sonic ambience that fuels the action and the emotional and comic thrusts of the script.

Perhaps most important, though, is director Myrona DeLaney’s understanding of the show’s innards, of the ironic sentimentality, tasty humor and immense affection the script has for the familial foibles of its characters. No program credit is given for choreography, so one presumes DeLaney did that along with her sharp, interesting staging. In any case, the dancing is inventive and bright.

Alison Brummer’s lighting design (though the board operator missed a couple of cues Saturday night) is totally integrated into the rich-looking, properly moderne scenic design by Grant Sullivan, with its sharp angles, muted tones and sometimes faux -Chagall proscenium.

But once the show starts, the success of the production is up to the cast. Thom Rivera’s confused but steady Marvin is completely on-target, torn between his love for Whizzer and his love for his son. The often raucous byplay between Rivera and Robb Hillman’s Whizzer is played intricately, like the chess game Whizzer can’t conquer. Hillman couldn’t be more perfect as the randy, bubbling Whizzer, a grown-up boy who, as Marvin says, gets confused checking for acne and getting dinner ready on time.

*

Michael Thomas Holmes is a very funny, very honest Mendel, riddled by anxieties and frustrations, and he moves into the role of Trina’s anxious, frustrated husband with comic ease. Pia Williams is a delight as Trina, who spends her time trying unsuccessfully to figure Marvin out; her unbuckled, abandoned “I’m Breaking Down” is one of the show’s highlights.

Twelve-year-old Jonathan Ficcadenti (alternating with Sean Aquinaga) steals almost every scene he’s in as son Jason, with a professionalism and elan that are continually amazing.

Cindy Caddel and Sarah Richardson are excellent as Marvin and Whizzer’s lesbian neighbors Cordelia, Whizzer’s counterpart trying to make the kitchen come together, and Charlotte, the medic terrified by the dawning AIDS crisis.

* “Falsettos,” UC Irvine Village Theatre at the UCI campus, Irvine. Thursday through Saturday, 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Ends Sunday. $14-$16. (714) 824-2787, (714) 824-5000. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Thom Rivera: Marvin

Robb Hillman: Whizzer

Michael Thomas Holmes: Mendel

Jonathan Ficcadenti/Sean Aquinaga: Jason

Pia Williams: Trina

Sarah Richardson: Charlotte

Cindy Caddel: Cordelia

A Drama at UCI production of the musical by William Finn and James Lapine, directed by Myrona DeLaney. Musical direction: Dennis Castellano. Scenic design: Grant Sullivan. Lighting design: Alison Brummer. Costume design: Kimberley Barnhardt. Stage manager: Scott R. Laske.