In Trousers
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In Trousers is a musical with a book, lyrics, and music by William Finn.
The one-acter centers on Marvin, who has an unnamed wife and a son, Jason. He recalls the past relationships he shared with, among others, his high school sweetheart and Miss Goldberg, his English teacher, then reveals he prefers to be with men. Torn between his natural inclination and his desire not to upset his family life as he knows it, Marvin ultimately makes the decision he feels is best for him.
In Trousers, directed by Finn, was mounted twice in 1979 at off-Broadway's Playwrights Horizons, opening on February 21 for 24 performances and again on December 8 for 8. The cast - Chip Zien, Alison Fraser, Joanna Green, and Mary Testa - was the same for both productions. The original cast album is available on CD on the Original Cast Records label.
In 1985, a significantly rewritten version, with additional songs, a more cohesive storyline, and better defined characters (with Marvin's wife christened Trina), opened on March 26 at the Promenade Theatre, where it ran for 16 performances. Directed by Matt Casella, it starred Stephen Bogardus, Catherine Cox, Sherry Hursey, and Kathy Garrick.
Finn eventually collaborated with James Lapine on two additional one-acters, March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland, which explored the further adventures of Marvin and his family and friends. These two later were combined for a two-act Broadway production entitled Falsettos.
[edit] 1979 song list
Marvin's Giddy Seizures - How the Body Falls Apart - Your Lips and Me - My High School Sweetheart - Set Those Sails - My Chance to Survive the Night - I Am Wearing a Hat - How Marvin Eats His Breakfast - A Breakfast Over Sugar - Whizzer Going Down - High School Ladies at Five O'Clock - The Rape of Miss Goldberg - The Nausea Before the Game - Love Me for What I Am - How America Got Its Name - Marvin Takes a Victory Shower - Another Sleepless Night - In Trousers (The Dream)
[edit] 1985 song list
In Trousers - I Can't Sleep - A Helluva Day - I Have a Family - How Marvin Eats His Breakfast - Marvin's Giddy Seizures - My High School Sweetheart - Set Those Sails - I Swear I Won't Ever Again (Part 1) - High School Ladies at Five O'Clock - I Swear I Won't Ever Again (Part 2) - The Rape of Miss Goldberg - I Swear I Won't Ever Again (Part 3) - Love Me for What I Am - I Am wearing a Hat - Wedding Song - 3 Seconds - Wedding Song (Part 2) - How the Body Falls Apart - I Feel Him Slipping Away - Whizzer Going Down - Marvin's Giddy Seizures (Part 2) - I'm Breaking Down - Packin Up - Breakfast Over Sugar - How America Got Its Name - Another Sleepless Night - Good Night (No Hard Feelings)
