William Finn, a celebrated composer and lyricist known for his impactful musicals, passed away at the age of 73. His death was confirmed on April 8 by his literary agent, Ron Gwiazda, following a prolonged illness. Finn’s contributions to Broadway are well-remembered, particularly for his works like Falsettos and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Born in 1952 in Boston, Finn made a significant mark in the theater world with his unique storytelling and musical compositions. He is credited with either writing the lyrics, the book, or both for several Broadway shows including Dangerous Games, Falsettos, The Sisters Rosensweig, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. In 1992, he won two Tony Awards for Falsettos, further solidifying his reputation in the industry.
Falsettos, which debuted on Broadway in 1992, takes a deep look at life within the LGBTQ+ community during the early years of the AIDS crisis. It evolved from a trilogy of one-act musicals that Finn created in the 1970s. The show’s emotional resonance, combined with its sharp wit, was a hallmark of Finn’s work. Originally starting as the one-act Off-Broadway show In Trousers, it later grew into a more complex narrative with sequels like March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland, which he combined for the Broadway production.
The original run of Falsettos lasted for 486 performances. Its revival in 2016 featured notable actors Andrew Rannells and Christian Borle and received five Tony nominations, demonstrating its timeless appeal.
In addition to Falsettos, Finn created A New Brain, a musical that reflects on his personal health struggles following a serious surgery. His experience lent authenticity to his work, as he transformed life’s challenges into touching narratives.
Finn’s partnership with director James Lapine led to the success of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which debuted in 2005 and won a Tony Award for Best Book. Finn’s contributions to musical theater leave a lasting legacy, and he is survived by his partner, Arthur Salvadore.
