Christian Borle and Aaron Lazar as Marvin and Whizzer.
Dan Fogler would make a good Mendel. I didn't see his performance in a New Brain but I can imagine him in Falsettos.
Rachel Bay Jones is a fantastic yet underrated performer that may make a good Trina. Jennifer Laura Thompson would also be good as Trina or "a lesbian from nextdoor."
I agree: Jonathan Groff as Marvin would be perfection.
Is Annaleigh really too young for Trina? Weren't she and Marvin high school sweethearts? Meaning they could both be right around 30 (since Jason is being bar-mitzvahed). I think she'd be wonderful in the role.
As for the rest, I can't really decide. I agree Aaron Lazar would be great as Mendel simply because I could buy him as half-Jewish and he really does look better than a donut. I actually think Christian Borle would be a better Mendel than Marvin (older and more serious than Groff).
The lesbians...one butch, one girly; maybe Lea Delaria makes her return to Broadway as Dr. Charlotte and maybe Elizabeth Stanley as Cordelia.
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
I would also like to see Santino in the mix. There really are so many possibilities. I can't wait to see it. Lapine's direction of A New Brain was smart and right on the money.
I just realized I confused Trina with the Sweetheart character from In Trousers. Oh well, there's no specific age listed for any of the characters so it's not that big of a deal. Faith Prince was 33 when she played Trina in Falsettoland (1990), although Barbara Walsh was older (37) when Falsettos was on Broadway in 1992.
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
I want to hear Annaliegh Ashford sing I'm Breaking Down and Holding to the Ground. I'd like to see how she balances the humor and sadness in those two great songs. So many Trinas I've seen fault on one side or the other. I think she'd nail it.
I'm not concerned about the age. Sure it has to believable that she has a 12-13 year old son, but that won't be a problem if the directing/acting is effective.
I also prefer a younger Marvin. The character's flaws are easier to accept f he's not pushing forty What is cute and charming at thirty can seem whiny and immature ten years later.
I've given this a few more minutes thought. I shouldn't have just written "balance the humor and sadness". I'm looking for the actress that evokes Trina's humor and sadness, and also her disappointment, intelligence, and strength; all the things that make up a well-rounded character and not just a caricature.
Bierko is too old and lacks the menschy quality Mendel needs. Someone like Josh Grisetti would be really great as Mendel; he's more in the vein of Chip Zien and Lonny Price.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Didn't realize we were casting to type. Would love to see some surprises. Are we thinking this is going to be a paint by numbers revival? In today's enviornment I would think they might be looking to cast a name outside the B'Way regulars.
I think we'll see an actor of color as Whizzer, Dr. Charlotte, or Cordelia. But otherwise, no, I doubt there'll be much out-of-the-box thinking in terms of casting.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.