William Finn

How do you spell success? For William Finn, the composer/lyricist of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, it's spelled M-U-S-I-C-A-L. Finn not only knows a thing or two about spelling, he also knows about winning. Best known for his musical Falsettos, for which he received two Tony Awards, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score, Finn has also written and composed In Trousers, March of the Falsettos, Falsettoland for which he nabbed an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, two Los Angeles Drama Critics Awards, two Drama Desk Awards and the Lucille Lortel Award, A New Brain and Elegies among others. Spelling Bee marks Finn's return to the Broadway stage. The adorable musical became an off-Broadway sensation when it enjoyed a sold-out run at Second Stage. Now it is on the Great White Way with a transfer to Circle in the Square. Read the illustrious composer/lyricist's answers to your questions!

From Jennifer Tepper: What other musical theater writers do you admire and why? What is your favorite musical that you yourself have not written? What musical theater influenced you when you were first starting out?

William Finn responds: I admire many of them, but Frank Loesser and Stephen Sondheim are a good place to start. Loesser can musicalize anything and make it sound musical. Sondheim can do anything and make it sound natural.I was in a production of Guys and Dolls at Camp Joseph in Harrison, Maine. I could catch the ball in the theater when I couldn't on the field. When we did Hello, Dolly! the next year, I realized its inferiority. Already I was critic.

From Henry from New York: What is your favorite song in Spelling Bee and why?

William Finn responds: The "I Love You Song," because it moves me the most, and musically it's the most transporting.

From Patrick Cerasaro: Hello, Mr.Finn. I find your work absolutely enthralling and exhilarating, especially the songs I've heard from Romance in Hard Times. With the upcoming concert production, is there any chance of a Broadway mounting or cast recording? This show seems far too brilliant to fall to the wayside!

William Finn responds: No, no plans for Broadway or a recording. I feel there was some greatness there and too much that was confused.

From Brian: The score and story of A New Brain was fantastic. What are your feelings for that show and would you ever revisit it?

William Finn responds: The last 20 minutes aren't right, so I'd like to fix them. I wish it were a little more abstract, and sometimes I felt that I was a little too ruled by what actually happened in my real life.

Matt Blank: In Trousers is such a unique creation, I'd like to know what inspired you musically while writing the score.

William Finn responds: The Beatles.

From Brett: Were you a good speller in school?

William Finn responds: I was good at everything in school. Except gym.

From Evan: Mr. Finn - A two-part question if you do not mind. First off, what is happening with the often-rumored film adaptation of Falsettos? Second, is there any chance that sometime in the future, we may see another chronicle in the life of Marvin, Trina and Jason ?

William Finn responds: Nothing at the moment with the film. Unlikely, unlikely, that there will be more of the story.

From Doug: Hi Mr. Finn, Congratulations on your success with Spelling Bee; however, I must profess my favorite score of yours is Elegies. Anyway, I have two questions: Will The Royal Family that has "I Have Found" in the score be going anywhere? And will Carolee Carmello and Laura Benanti maybe repeat their roles if it does? Also, did you see Falsettos in Boston with Linda Mugleston, Anne L. Nathan and Kate Baldwin? Congratulations on all of your success.

William Finn responds: I don't know what's happening with The Royal Family. And casting will depend on if and when it's done. I saw Falsettos in Boston, and I liked it a lot.

From T.J.: Mr. Finn-- In my opinion, you have created some of the most beautiful and cathartic melodies and lyrics not only for the New York stage but for music as a whole. Do you have a set process or order for creating lyrics or music, or are you more instinctive and free? What experiences do you value most for motivating your music and lyrics? Thank you for being a source of much happiness and hope!

William Finn responds: More instinctive, which of course is not the answer you wanted, but that is just the way it is. I used to begin by reading the poems of Frank O'Hara, which I always felt would "shove" my lyrics into the right place. I don't do that so much anymore, but maybe I should.

From Joanna: What's the most important lesson you teach your musical writing students?

William Finn responds: Not to be victims. Not to give up. Talent is only 50% of whether you'll be successful or not. If you don't want it more than anything, don't do it, because you're wasting everyone's time.

From Brenda: Mr. Finn, I am a huge fan. Can you mention a few things you discovered working on this musical that surprised you?

William Finn responds: That a song I wouldn't normally have thought was finished worked perfectly in this show--it was such a collaborative score which I don't usually write. I was surprised that a song that was effective was not always the type of song that I would usually write. And I was glad to see that I could write a score using those muscles.

WILLIAM FINN IS NO LONGER TAKING QUESTIONS. THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING!