“One of the Best Productions of the Year”
Falsettos, produced in partnership with TimeLine Theatre Company, is a home run! This Tony Award-winning musical is a 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.
Read what audiences are loving about it below, and get your tickets to this gay musical odyssey about family, faith, and finding yourself before it closes on Sunday, December 15. Tickets are available online or by calling the Box Office at (773) 753-4472.
“Better than the 2016 Broadway revival…This is a very special show, one of the best Chicago productions of the year“
— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, ★★★★ (of four)
“As witty and impressively sophisticated as ever — a deeply meaningful reflection on what our world is like today…a superlative set of performances“
— Chicago Sun-Times, ★★★★ (of four)
“Electrifying…[Bowling] directs and brings nuanced emotions, color and velocity to this heart-raising and heartbreaking coming-out and coming-of-age story….The cast is universally superb and delivers intimacy, emotional truths and comedy…Falsettos is an important reminder of the power of love. It’s the perfect lesson at this imperfect time.“
“Nick Bowling creates brightly and with a full-rounded joy here…[Stephen] Schellhardt, a venerated Chicago theater mainstay, reaches career heights, displaying all of Marvin’s honest yearning and occasional selfishness with articulation and grace. He is met, full force, by [Jack] Ball, who provides Whizzer with an impishly warm glow. [Charlie] Long’s Jason is also a spectacular feat, combining age-specific clumsiness with a strong professional presence. Supporting them, all the others shine as well. Ultimately venerating the show’s theme, they offer proof that the familial, in all its messy gloriousness, can be life’s greatest reward.“
“Hits all the right notes“
— Chicago Reader, Reader Recommended
“The direction by Nick Bowling is flawless and the cast could not be any better…I will tell you that this is probably one of the best productions of the year and there are a great number of solid productions at our area theaters for the holiday season.“
“Falsettos is a sophisticated, ambitious, and cerebral musical, and I think it’s truly unique. While it’s a serious show, Bowling’s production really brings out the heart in it. This production and ensemble honor Falsettos as a product of its time, but the emotions feel immediate and the show’s embrace of self-acceptance and the questioning of traditional gender roles feel fresh. Plus, it’s simply a treat to hear Finn’s score sung so gorgeously and with such great commitment and depth of feeling.“
“One of the most enjoyable, heartfelt and moving productions you will ever see…For those of us who lived through this period, [Court and] TimeLine’s Falsettos is a moving tribute to the memory of all who passed and renews our commitment to those whose lives have been immeasurably changed. For everyone else, it serves as a reminder of the importance of cherishing our relationships and instills in us a better understanding of the universal power of love, kindness and acceptance.“
“With knockout performances, intimate design, and an emotional roller-coaster of a story, this production of Falsettos pulls on all the heartstrings.“
“This show is NOT to be missed…Falsettos is exactly what theater should be…unforgettable.“
“[Falsettos] adamantly makes the case for why Finn and Lapine’s show, despite the moment in history it marks, will never be consigned to existence as a mere historical document…[Stephen] Schellhardt and [Jack] Ball knock it out of the park. Sarah Bockel’s powerful voice brings great depth and a moving weariness to the role of Trina, and yet she is side-splittingly funny, too. She and Jackson Evans (Mendel) both exhibit the kind of well-honed comedic timing that make so many of the ensemble musical numbers pop….As Jason, Charlie Long (who alternates with Eli Vander Griend in the role) does far more than simply hold his own in a challenging role…As Doctor Charlotte and Cordelia, Sharriese Hamilton and Elizabeth Stenholt certainly make the audience wish the characters were in both halves of the play.“
“This production, including memorable performances by Stephen Schellhardt, Jack Ball, Jackson Evans, and young star Charlie Long as ‘Four Jews In A Room Bitching,’ Sharriese Hamilton, Elizabeth Stenholt, and an outstanding performance by Sarah Bockel as Trina captivated me with its delightful blend of humor and poignant heartache. It skillfully navigates the intricacies of love’s complexities, leaving a lasting impression. The characters’ struggles and triumphs make it a memorable and thought-provoking musical experience.“
— Let’s Play Theatrical Reviews
“Thanks to the sure-handed, fast-paced direction of Nick Bowling and the top-flight acting and singing of the ensemble, Falsettos flows easily, illuminating complicated issues of sexuality, gender roles and family relationships and responsibilities without becoming didactic.“
“Director Nick Bowling and music director Otto Vogel present a faithful, high-end revival that will delight fans…The cast rises to the occasion wonderfully“