March of the Falsettos

Book excerpt: 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.