Tony Award-Winning Musical "Falsettos" Now at the Ahmanson DTLA

In an exclusive interview, Audrey Cardwell (First National Tours of “Bright Star” and “Cinderella”) who plays the role of Cordelia, candidly reveals the unique connection between the cast members, what she believes is the take away of “Falsettos,” plus much much more.

Audrey began her musical theatre career at the young age of 12 in her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated from Penn State University with a BFA in Musical Theatre.

Audrey was first introduced to “Falsettos” in 2003, when she saw the production in Birmingham and fell in love with the amazing story about a gay man and his family navigating his coming out. She describes being part of the National Tour as a “Full Circle Moment!”

This is Audrey’s fourth time appearing at the Ahmanson Theatre. Her first experience was in 2013 as a swing member of “Anything Goes.” She’s excited to be revisiting Los Angeles, which now “feels like home.”

Audrey’s familiarity with the theatre and the staff makes LA comfy cozy. She enjoys the sunshine, visiting the beach, and looks forward to taking the troupe to local restaurants, bars, and her favorite sites such as Disneyland. (Which just so happens to be this scribe’s Happiest Place on Earth!)

Audrey calls her cast cohorts, “family” and says they have a “special bond.” Since the subject matter is rather “heavy” and about relationships, she concedes that "what is explored onstage manifests offstage as well."

"It brings us together," Audrey discloses. "It’s spectacular the way we show up for each other. We love each other. It’s real offstage and translates onstage.”

When Audrey received the cast list, she professes, “I cried and called my mom…to be standing next to my idols…!!!!!”

Audrey explains further, “What started out as a creative endeavor has now turned into a emotional relationship with the cast. It’s like a real family. Because we’re together all the time, there’s occasional annoyances like there would be in any family, but they go away as soon as we walk out there. Due to the emotional weight of the show, we have to take care of each other.”

In order to sustain her physical fortitude on the road, Audrey admits to sleeping a lot, drinking a lot of water, and daily vocal warmups. “Our lives are basically boring and not exactly lavious, since it takes a lot to maintain physical stamina.”

I asked Audrey how she shakes the emotional depth of the plot. She conveyed how she’s learned to decompress and “let the show wash over her.” She spends time in her dressing room playing calming music and/or chat with trusted confidantes. Audrey stresses the importance of “shedding the skin of the show, letting go, and not worrying about how her performance went.”

“I thank the universe for the opportunity to play my character. It’s like wrapping up a gift, letting it go, and giving it away. Because of the intensity of the subject matter, I’ve got to get back into Audrey neutral.”

“A friend of mine mentioned to me how your body doesn’t know you’re acting. You’re putting your body through an emotional trauma which is why it’s hard to release it and get back to a neutral place.”

Another way Audrey stays centered is through her precious dog, Fiona, who travels with her and is a nonnegotiable element of her participation. “Fiona doesn’t care how my performance went. She’s just so happy to see me.” No wonder they say dogs are man’s/woman’s best friend!!

For Audrey, the theme of “Falsettos” is the gravity and urgency of love and acceptance. “The sad reality of life is that we all go through loss. When we lose someone, what are we going to remember…I could’ve loved them more, I could’ve accepted them more?”

Audrey divulges that “Falsettos has altered my perspective of how I deal with loved ones. It emphasizes the way we can be there and show up for the people we love.”

“Especially in a time where there is a lot of hate and anger in the world, all we can do is lead with love, Audrey concedes. “I’m reminded everyday that we can always do better.”

“The characters in 'Falsettos' are flawed, imperfect, and don’t always treat each other well,” Audrey points out. However, her wish is that after seeing the show, people will treat each other better.

"Falsettos" has universal appeal because everyone can relate to loss. Audrey confesses that “almost every night something will get me and bring me to tears. There are lots of tears shed during and after the show.”

Audrey acknowledges that the audience responses have been beautiful and touching. Many young folks from the LGBTQ community are waiting for her after a performance to express how they were moved and are grateful for being portrayed.

“Young lesbians come up to us and say ‘I feel alone, but you represented me, so thank you.’ ”

"Falsettos" has raised over $100,000 in donations for Broadway Cares, an organization that raises awareness and funds for HIV and AIDS victims and survivors. “Many people come to us and say how they lost their parents to AIDS, lived through it, and then thank us.”

“It’s emotionally cathartic for those in the audience as well as for those of us on stage,” Audrey discloses, which she attributes to the fact that everybody can identify with the personal issues presented.

Regarding recommendations for aspiring artists, Audrey suggests, “Get your hands on any opportunity. Find local community theatre even if you’re in a small town. Don’t give up hope. Learn, read, research, train, work hard. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else!!!! Stand firm in your individuality and be nice!

When I asked Audrey to elaborate on “being nice,” she passed on a remembrance of taking a workshop from a man in Alabama who ten years later ended up with her in “Anything Goes” at the Ahmanson. “You never know who you are going to meet. Everyone has something to offer.”

That scenario reminds me of my dearly departed father’s words of wisdom in considering how to behave towards fellow associates: “You meet the same people going up as you do going down.”

Last but not least, Audrey advises, “Come with an open heart and you will have a good night!”

“Falsettos,” with Music and Lyrics by William Finn, Book by William Finn and James Lapine, was nominated for five Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival when it returned to Broadway in Fall 2016. The North American Tour of the Lincoln Center Theater Broadway production of “Falsettos” is directed once again by James Lapine.

"It is a great thrill to be bringing ‘Falsettos’ to theatre audiences across America and to be doing so with this exceptional cast of Broadway actors,” said James Lapine.

Included in the National Company are Nick Adams (“La Cage aux Folles” and “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”) as Whizzer; Eden Espinosa (“Wicked,” “Brooklyn The Musical” and “Rent”) as Trina; Max von Essen (“An American in Paris,” Tony Award-nominee, “Evita” and “Les Misérables”) as Marvin; Nick Blaemire (Broadway’s “Cry-Baby,” “Godspell” and Off-Broadway’s “tick…tick…Boom!”) as Mendel; Audrey Cardwell (First National Tours of “Bright Star” and “Cinderella”) as Cordelia; Bryonha Marie Parham (Broadway’s “Ragtime,” “Porgy and Bess” and “Prince of Broadway”) as Dr. Charlotte; and Thatcher Jacobs and Jonah Mussolino sharing the role of Jason.

“Falsettos” revolves around the life of a charming, intelligent, neurotic gay man named Marvin, his wife, lover, about-to-be-Bar-Mitzvahed son, their psychiatrist and the lesbians next door. It’s a hilarious and achingly poignant look at the infinite possibilities that make up a modern family… and a beautiful reminder that love can tell a million stories.

This production of “Falsettos” marks a happy reunion for composer/lyricist William Finn and playwright/director James Lapine. In 1981, Finn and Lapine’s new one-act musical “March of the Falsettos” premiered at Playwrights Horizons’ second floor 75-seat space. The story of a gay man named Marvin, his lover Whizzer, Marvin’s wife Trina, son Jason and their psychiatrist Mendel, “March of the Falsettos” was a critical success, described by The New York Times as “a musical find.” It eventually moved to Playwrights Horizons’ larger downstairs theatre for an extended engagement before enjoying a long run Off-Broadway at what was then known as the Westside Arts Theatre.

Fast forward to 1990, when a second new musical by Finn and Lapine, “Falsettoland,” opened at Playwrights Horizons. A continuation of the story of Marvin and his extended family in the early days of the AIDS crisis, “Falsettoland” repeated the success of its predecessor with rave reviews and a move to the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

In 1992, the two one-act musicals were combined into one and opened on Broadway as “Falsettos.” “Falsettos” ran for over a year at the John Golden Theatre and won Tony Awards for Finn’s score and Finn and Lapine’s book.

Center Theatre Group, one of the nation’s preeminent arts and cultural organizations, is Los Angeles’ leading nonprofit theatre company, which, under Artistic Director Michael Ritchie, programs seasons at the 736-seat Mark Taper Forum and 1600 to 2100-seat Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles, and the 317-seat Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City.

In addition to presenting and producing the broadest range of theatrical entertainment in the country, Center Theatre Group is one of the nation’s leading producers of ambitious new works through commissions and world premiere productions and a leader in interactive community engagement and education programs that reach across generations, demographics and circumstance to serve Los Angeles.

Tickets for “Falsettos” are available by calling (213) 972-4400, online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, or by visiting the Center Theatre Group Box Office located at the Ahmanson Theatre. Tickets range from $30 – $145 (ticket prices are subject to change). The Ahmanson Theatre is located at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, 90012.

Regular Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. No Monday performances.

Exceptions: No public performance on Wednesday, April 24. Added 2 p.m. performance on Thursday, May 16. No 6:30 p.m. performance on Sunday, May 19.