Exuberant Pace Inspires ‘Falsettos’ in Fullerton

When composer William Finn’s paean to the ups and downs of gay romance--and holding on to the rest of your family at the same time--opened in 1981 as a rousing one-act called “March of the Falsettos,” it was buoyant, exuberant and joyous. In its final full-length form it still can be--in spite of its obligatory nod to the scourge of AIDS, which has been tacked on to the end.

Just how exuberant is proved in director James R. Taulli’s staging at Cal State Fullerton’s Recital Hall. Rarely has the show rocked at such a clip, and its pace shows off the intricacy and delights of Finn’s writing. The audience has to keep a sharp ear for the spitfire lyrics, but it’s especially worth the effort here. Lines that usually slip by unnoticed get laughs in this production.

Chad Granier, who also plays nebbish therapist Mendel, is listed as “dance captain,” but the choreography is by director Taulli, who set the energetic and inventive movements that help keep the action fluid and interesting.

Marvin (Jonathan Talmadge) has met complaisant hustler Whizzer (Jason Lythgoe) and decided to set up housekeeping with him. This upsets Marvin’s wife, Trina (Jennifer Trevour), who starts seeing Marvin’s Woody Allen-esque shrink, Mendel. The only one not traumatized is Marvin’s 12-year-old son, Jason (Michael R. Taber), who at his age computes “love” with “chess,” which he plays frequently with Dad’s boyfriend.

Finn treats all this with tongue-in-cheek freshness and a genuine warmth, especially for Mendel, who marries Trina and ineffectually tries to replace his ex-patient. Humor abounds in numbers such as “Four Jews in a Room Bitching,” Trina’s gutsy “I’m Breaking Down” and the show’s signature tune, “March of the Falsettos.”

Taulli’s casting is right on, and the company has the vocal clout needed. Talmadge’s Marvin is smiling and hopeful, even in the worst of times, and though Lythgoe’s Whizzer is a little laid-back for his own good, Lythgoe’s charm makes it obvious why Marvin was attracted in the first place.

Trevour and Taber are both notable, particularly Trevour in her slow slide into “Breaking Down.” Elissa Goldstein and Angela Allen are both very good, and funny, as lesbian neighbors of Marvin and Whizzer, with Allen as the doctor who treats Whizzer.

Still, the show is really sparked by Granier’s firecracker performance as Mendel--audacious, kinetic and winning. With a persuasive, strong musical voice and a flair for physical comedy, he almost steals the show.

BE THERE

“Falsettos,” Recital Hall, Cal State Fullerton, Nutwood Avenue and State College Boulevard. 8 p.m. tonight-Friday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday. $15. Ends Sunday. (714) 278-3371. Running time: 2 hours, 35 minutes.