William Finn

William Finn, a Tony Award-winning composer known for his show, "Falsettos," and the musical comedy "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," died April 7, 2025, of pulmonary fibrosis at the age of 73 at a hospital in Bennington, Vermont.

Finn's work often focused on family, Jewish life, and the gay experience in modern America. His "Falsettos" was made up of the final two parts of a trilogy of short musicals, "In Trousers," "March of the Falsettos," and "Falsettoland." The work explores the life of a character named Marvin, his ex-wife, and the people surrounding them. "Falsettos" received huge acclaim, earning seven Tony Award nominations in 1982 and winning two: Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical, which he shared with co-author James Lapine. The work takes on topics of relationships, gender roles, AIDS/HIV, and more.

In the 2000s, he had another hit with "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," for which he wrote the music and lyrics, with a book written by Rachel Sheinkin. The show focuses on an eccentric cast of school students and their teachers competing in a spelling bee. It featured heavy audience participation and earned six Tony Award nominations, with Sheinkin winning for Best Book of a Musical and comedian Dan Fogler winning for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical.

"From In Trousers to A New Brain, Elegies to Little Miss Sunshine, there was an undeniable sincerity in his creations," musician and composer Josh Freilich said on Facebook. "He possessed a down-to-earth nature and crafted deeply poetic lyrics and catchy melodies. Additionally, he was an exceptional educator, providing unwavering support and fostering our professional growth … He was a remarkable individual, a gifted creator, and his passing deeply saddens us."

(Image: James Nielsen/Houston Chronicle via AP)