FALSETTOS: "I'm Breaking Down," Barbara Walsh

[@soljoez]

I love the bounciness of the pianist omg

[@ginnycolour4438]

I love him so much already - the gliss at the end and then the flourish is just *chef's kiss*

[@Rebecca-bk9bd]

Man’s loving his life

[@gracedorothy430]

her expression when she says “marvin grabbing whizzers ass” is perfect

[@Sweetumskitty1789]

I like how there's more rage in this version. The 2016 one is a lot sadder and she's quietly pissed and this one is outright angry.

[@thekoala2074]

I disagree, I actually like the revival portrays trina actually being emotionally not okay and going crazy but with this one she seems extremely pissed but both are great performances

[@joelmorris4339]

@@thekoala2074 Barbara's version is clearly not emotionally ok, but shows it in different ways. We can clearly see she's really feeling sad and helpless underneath all her rage, whereas Stephanie's version is the opposite. I prefer Barbara Walsh's version, although I do love both.

[@alias3660]

This one feels more neurotic, which I looove.

[@expressobeanmilk]

@@alias3660 im sorry but IM NEUROTIC HE'S NEUROTIC THEY'RE NEUROTIC WE'RE NEUROTIC

[@alisak1701]

Agreed. I also think that Stephanie also kinda over does this song???

[@crhiannonelizabeth4267]

Pianist is loving his life lmao

[@neopeter2998]

Unlike Trina

[@Chelsea-sf3bx]

Jared Kleinman I-

[@stephpiano2908]

I was expecting to not like this after seeing the perfection that is Stephanie J Block's version but this is actually flawless holy shit

[@lrkenielsen3616]

Steph Piano SAMEE

[@lrkenielsen3616]

I personally think i like them both equally

[@counterfeitpsychic1116]

If only y'all saw toursettos. Eden is so good in this song.

[@5isacolor529]

i agree also i wanted to say that i like ur pfp

[@Yagirlnyesha]

Right lmao her comedic timing and vocals are perfect

[@alannabrereton8516]

'My life's a pity' close one, Barb

[@charit3499]

i am in love with barbara's voice, the pianist is incredible, the audience loves it, goodness i love this video beyond compare

[@sheri1205]

This song is on the In Trousers soundtrack for anyone looking for it.

[@c.w.r.794]

Sheri Linsky As a bonus track

[@ryeleeel]

And it’s sung by Alison frasier not Barbara Walsh

[@fern4998]

This is a big mood for me tbh

[@brijackson4127]

me when any minor inconvenience happens

[@grapeparlapiano6]

Both versions are so amazing but I feel like the diction in this version is definitely better and I could tell what she was saying a lot better.

[@supertastickangaroos2133]

It’s crazy how I’m in love with anyone who has played Trina

[@rain-gx1lj]

right-i'm lowk crushing

[@TheatreFilmBuff]

I am sure they felt since the three main men were immortilized on the other albums that this wasn't needed, but I still wish this one got recorded and Barbara Walsh is one of the main reasons. It is one of my top 5 favorite musicals.

[@michaeleiniger8948]

It was recorded. It is featured on the 1979 Original Cast Recording of In Trousers.

[@jscho8674]

So glad I got to see her nail this in person!

[@thecomedyclownfish1731]

The pianist is having so much fun with this song, it makes me love this song even more

[@girlonabookshelf4922]

I will always prefer Stephanie J. Block's performance, Barbara Walsh is phenomenal but she just doesn't make me laugh as much as Stephanie does also, she doesn't put as much into the fact that her character is breaking down, when you break down in real life, you try to keep it together yes, but this is being sung from her kitchen in the privacy of her own home and this is in her head and inside your head should be crazy if you are truly breaking down, so the best performance award for me will always go to Stephanie for always entertaining me and making me hold my sides from laughing so much, not just because she's funny but also because I know what it's like to break down, like a lot of people! XD

[@c.w.r.794]

I swear that in Miracle of Judaism I heard "Rosenthal" but it could just be the actual lyrics rather than that dumbass "Mendela effect" everyone keeps talking about. In 2017: "Don't ask me if a square peg fits into a round hole! In BREAKING DOWN!"

[@camirobinson9237]

Theatre Geek it is the lyrics

[@littlepaperjellyfish]

Meghan Robertshaw if you want to comment something about stephanie maybe go do it on one of her videos instead of a video of barbara

[@meirionamaddy2096]

Meghan Robertshaw yeah I find Staphanie's performance to be more convincing.

[@jenniferhiemstra5228]

Meghan Robertshaw I can agree. Stephanie has such an off beat take on it and it's obvious she's trying to KEEP FROM breaking down. Much better acting choice. This performance just plays it much too safe and traditional.

[@crhiannonelizabeth4267]

Her and SJB are absolutely amazing!!

[@chalkkish]

ok, i cant decide between stephanie or barbara, so ill settle with loving the hell of of both their acting and singing skills.

[@HarveyTruffaut]

I saw Barbara at Broadway, I don't think I will ever see another such a convincing number.

[@joelmorris4339]

Everyone is battling it out in the comments over who had the better performance, but they're both amazing in different ways and we need to get that some people have different opinions and we can't really change everyone's mind.

[@gracisntscared5466]

I just saw When this was posted bro how is 2010 *eight years ago*

[@selitajimenez182]

grac now it's 10 years

[@starsadoring]

@@selitajimenez182 oh wow

[@5BIRDOG5]

A decade ago now! 😂

[@calilovett2063]

Flawless performance *-* I love it!

[@oliver91ist]

there is a live cast recording of Falsettos when the show was in LA which had the original Broadway cast apart from Jason it's the nearest thing to a Broadway Cast Recording apart from the recent revival.

[@littlepaperjellyfish]

where can I find it? :)

[@biav]

littlepaperjellyfish I have the link but it's a private video, is there a way I can message you? they don't allow links in comments

[@littlepaperjellyfish]

Bia Vasconcelos yeah! :) my email is juicingoranges@gmailmcom or rabbitmodern on tumblr

[@biav]

done! :D

[@kira7705]

i'd love to have it as well please :) [e-mail]

[@lisakealhofer7907]

the “AAAAAND me” at 2:22 hitssss

[@mooimiu]

Barbara lowkey looks like Lisa Kudrow omg

[@Rob1971ert1]

It's a scandal this song isn't on the recording!

[@michaeleiniger8948]

It is featured on the 1979 Original Cast Recording of In Trousers.

[@confetti_kisses427]

@@michaeleiniger8948 wasn't that Alison singing?

[@RenzoRienzi]

@Rekidk: I taped this from a short-lived day-time talk show, the name of which I can't remember. It was when the 1992 B'dway production was running.

[@twistedbrasshorn]

Joseph Frazzetta the Rosie O'donnell show perhaps?

[@lum5015]

I think this is The Joan Rivers Show. Her show ran from 1989 to 1993. This looks like her set.

[@hooey4362]

hope the piano guy's having a swell day rn

[@theatrebear]

Thank you so much. From what I believe to be the best musical ever written.

[@cturner5233]

word

[@rachelmueller445]

queen

[@mithramusic5909]

I saw Barbara Walsh in Company (I was two when this video happened) and knew there was more to her than just acting like a drunken woman past her prime. This video is exactly what I was looking for. She is awesome. Thank you!

[@jessica23claire]

we stan a QUEEN

[@sophie-tz2bt]

Tag yourself: I’m the piano player

[@awitngibon]

im the ripped apron

[@mehspacedorito]

Sophie C. I’m the piano

[@eg5058]

I’m the hairband

[@shawnbay2211]

Her dress 😏

[@kiahbobiah907]

I’m the flowers on the piano

[@fluttershytakesabongrip]

i love stephanie's version, but i listened to this version first before it and ive always loved this one? this one is my favorite uwu

[@ExitSiign]

Wow! I haven't seen a good video of this song since earlier this year I played in the orchestra. Would have loved to see this on Broadway but I was a baby. lol And this song isn't in my cast recording? Every single dress rehearsal and performance I'd say "WOW" after this song. The whole almost 6 minutes of it!

[@mediocrio]

it's on the in trousers cr!!

[@JoeOgren92]

this is literally perfection!! barbara is incredible, and so is the song.

[@ebenmorrid]

2x speed for a true breakdown

[@anneefreres3299]

Wow!!! So honored to be on this playlist!! GREAT song selections and wonderful performances!

[@Janurinu]

It doesn't get any better than Barb Walsh! SPECTACULAR!!!!!

[@sierramagallona1342]

If you guys haven't watched the 1993 bootleg version, it was HILARIOUS. imo it was better than this version and I literally cried from laugther she's amazing.

[@BEE-mp9vk]

OMG Is the pianist Scott Frankel (Composer of Grey Gardens and War Paint)???

[@TimothyPeierls]

I think it is.

[@penelopepuppik4354]

Yup.

[@ZamTx1]

Thank you for finding this and sharing it! I've been trying to find a vid of her performing this for years. It stopped the show when I saw the show years ago.

[@safiyahleane269]

ok so are we just going to ignore the fact that the pianist looks like Martin Freeman? ok. cool.

[@lexipoo8886]

i was in kindergarten when this was posted!!

[@nicoyazawa9054]

Lol, I wasn't even in school yet when this was posted

[@morgan_c]

The pianist is a mood

[@malletgirl02]

I follow a link posted on Broadway World here, this a brilliant performance.

[@mittyceo]

Her facial expressions are just excellent throughout THE WHOLE song. It’s just so angry and funny I love her performance!

[@lili8896]

Wow Barbara has a really pretty voice sksks

[@angelof8th]

Alison Fraser’s will always be my favorite but damn does she nail this song! I love it!!

[@drmowinckel]

i’m seeing god rn hol up

[@Griffologee]

Listen to that projection. So healthy.

[@imokipromise1899]

What a queen

[@BNYClarke]

She is awesome!

[@michaelrichardson2110]

This one feels at the start more subtle but it gets there by the end

[@mali-ze5ob]

WHAT A QUEEN YEESSS

[@batmandannyb]

A+ performance!

[@davidchernobyl1647]

she so legendary omfg

[@celestelalianna7276]

i love her sm

[@ivorobotnik617]

god i love her

[@fanadiana]

Ah! This is phenomenal! Does anyone have any idea why this was excluded from the cast recording?

[@michaeleiniger8948]

The original cast album of Falsettos is actually just a two-disc set including both original one-act musicals, March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland. "I'm Breaking Down" was actually featured in the first musical of the trilogy, In Trousers, and it was added back into Falsettos in 1992. Instead of recording a new album, they just released the two-disc set of both original recordings, so "I'm Breaking Down" was left out.

[@lI-zx2em]

barbra walsh fucking OWNS my ass

[@ash-xr6ri]

she’s so good

[@taffle91323]

oh to be able to play this on piano

[@sierra_wow_its_meee6504]

I prefer this more than stephanie’s actually.

[@nath.an.b]

Same! I love Stephanie tho, don’t get me wrong

[@stuffrules416]

I'm obsessed!

[@reoij]

fantastic

[@kitteridgesimpson8144]

DAMN!

[@theatrebritty]

This is a fantastic find. :)

[@rubyhunt7108]

This is iconic

[@christinelinnea]

Barbara is the best

[@kayleeturner8768]

I STAN

[@stellasolari727]

I'd like to be a princess on a throne To have a country I can call my own And a king Who's lusty and requires a fling With a female thing Great, men will be men Let me turn on the gas I caught them in the den with Marvin grabbing Whizzer's ass Oh sure, I'm sure, he's sure he did his best I mean he meant to be what he was not The things he was are things which I forgot He's a queen I'm a queen Where is my crown? I'm breaking down I'm breaking down My life is shitty And my kid seems like an idiot to me I mean that's sick I mean he's great It's me who is the matter Talking madder Than the maddest hatter If I repeat one more word I swear I'll lose my brain Oh, what else should I explain? Oh, yes it's true I can cry on cue But so can you I'm breaking down I'm breaking down Down, down You ask me "Is it fun to cry over nothing?" It is, I'm breaking down Now let's consider what I might do next I hate admitting I've become perplexed I'm bereaved I've cried, I've shook, I've yelled, I've heaved I have been deceived As enemies go Whizzer is not so bad It's just he's so damn happy That it makes me so damn mad I want to hate him but I really can't It's like a nightmare how this all proceeds I hope that Whizzer don't fulfill his needs Don't is wrong Sing along What was the noun? I'm breaking down I'm breaking down I'll soon redecorate these stalls I'd like some padding on the walls And also pills I wanna sleep Sure, things'll probably worsen But it's not like I'm some healthy person I've rethought my talks with Marv And one fact does emerge I think I like his shrink So that is why I might turn to drink I'm on the brink Of breaking down I'm breaking down Down, down I only want to love a man who can love me.... Or like me... Or help me... Help me! Marvin was never mine He took his meetings in the boys' latrine I used to cry He'd make a scene I'd rather die Than dry-clean Marvin's wedding gown I'm breaking down I'm breaking down It's so upsetting when you've found That what's rectangular is round I mean it stinks I mean he's queer And me, I'm just a freak Who needs it maybe every other week I've rethought the fun we've had And one fact does emerge: I've played the foolish clown The almost virgin who sing this dirge Is on the verge Of breaking down I'm breaking down Down, down The only thing that's breaking up is my family The only thing that's breaking up is my family But me, I'm breaking down

[@fr4225]

this beats SJB's performance goddamn

[@alexanderson698]

arcane knj they both have completely different tones in my opinion so I can’t compare them.

[@meandmymoterbike12]

the pianist is getting fukin turnt

[@agyvv242]

The best one

[@candistelmos9423]

The thumbnail is me 😞😂

[@genecorrado]

This is what happens when you match a passionate singer with a piano player who knows what he's doing.

[@alexandriafazio6980]

She doesn’t seem as upset, I like Stephanie’s better

[@AJ.the_ray.j]

I love this sm I like ho wmuch more idk "agressive" it is compared to the 2016 falsettos

[@weegee1204]

iconic

[@theycallmeem5859]

Hi... iconic😂⭐️!!!

[@GlennAustin829]

Barbra looked like my ex bosses wife

[@rem7019]

she fucking died at the end

[@zigmundp]

Too bad Randy Graff’s performance isnt on video. She was the best Trina.

[@mittyceo]

The song: About a woman struggling the cope with the fact her husband left her for a man and kinda just hates her life right now The Pianist: *bouncing non stop* 😆

[@daniellecozzetto5802]

I don’t like her version.