William Finn, the two-time Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist renowned for his groundbreaking queer musical Falsettos, has died on April 7, 2025, at the age of 73. Known for his deeply personal and emotionally resonant work, Finn’s contributions to musical theatre have left a lasting legacy marked by undeniable musical talent and wit.
Born in 1951, Finn studied at Williams College in Massachusetts during the early 1970s. He drew inspiration from singer-songwriters such as Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon, favouring a lyric-driven, contemporary style over traditional musical theatre norms. His early compositions blossomed into In Trousers, which opened Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons in 1979 and laid the groundwork for what would become Falsettos.
Falsettos, which premiered on Broadway in 1992, tells the poignant and often hilarious story of Marvin, a man who leaves his wife and young son to be with his male lover, Whizzer. The musical explores themes of family, identity, and the AIDS crisis, weaving together a narrative that is as touching as it is sharp-witted. With bar mitzvahs, baseball, and heartbreak at its centre, Falsettos has been hailed as a unique and daring exploration of modern relationships.
That same year, Finn faced a life-threatening medical crisis diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in his brain stem; he underwent surgery in September to correct the issue. During his recovery, he found solace in Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Make Our Garden Grow’, which he listened to repeatedly, drawing strength from its optimism.
Following the operation, Finn spoke of a profound transformation: “This was the time that I felt I had the new brain,” he reflected. “A new way of thinking. Simplifying, not being cynical.”
His harrowing medical ordeal would later inspire his semi-autobiographical musical A New Brain, created in collaboration with Falsettos director James Lapine. The show premiered Off-Broadway in 1998, adding another personal chapter to Finn’s body of work.
William Finn is survived by his long-time partner, Arthur Salvadore. His work lives on in theatres and hearts around the world.
View this post on Instagram
© 2025 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
Support GCN
GCN is a free, vital resource for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community since 1988.
GCN is a trading name of National LGBT Federation CLG, a registered charity - Charity Number: 20034580.
GCN relies on the generous support of the community and allies to sustain the crucial work that we do. Producing GCN is costly, and, in an industry which has been hugely impacted by rising costs, we need your support to help sustain and grow this vital resource.
Supporting GCN for as little as €1.99 per month will help us continue our work as Ireland’s free, independent LGBTQ+ media.
comments. Please sign in to comment.