There are shows & performances that leave an indelible mark on you.

Growing up, I was very lucky to see several Broadway shows with my family. When I was in high school, my parents took us to see a new Broadway musical called Miss Saigon.

From the moment the cast performed "The Heat Is On In Saigon," until the very last number, I was engulfed by this show. 

I can still remember all the things I loved about Miss Saigon, especially Willy Falk's portrayal of "Chris." When he opened his mouth to sing "Why God Why," I practically melted in my seat. His voice is so powerful. It was like nothing I had heard before from a male performer. When I hear "Why God Why" today, my heart definitely skips a giddy beat.

When I found out that Willy Falk was going to be in a new Off Broadway play, I had to see if I could get an interview with him. Well, I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to interview this Tony Award nominee!

In this interview, Willy answered my call to share:

• Why he wanted to audition for Truman vs Israel
• How he feels this show will resonate with audiences
• A consequential decision he made in his life
• What makes him sing "Why God Why" today
• So much more

Connect with Willy: Website, Facebook, Instagram

Truman vs Israel is a complex portrait of power, prejudice, and presidential legacy. This unflinching biographical drama explores the man behind the momentous recognition of Israel and decision to drop the bomb—revealing the startling contradictions between his public actions and private thoughts.

Step into Truman’s home office in 1953 Missouri as Bella Abzug uncovers how Truman grappled with one of history’s most consequential decisions. Through Truman’s own diary entries, personal letters, and recorded conversations, witness the internal struggle of a president whose personal prejudices clashed with political necessity and moral imperative.

The powerful drama examines how history’s heroes are often deeply flawed human beings making imperfect choices in impossible circumstances.

Truman vs Israel will play at The Theatre at St. Clements in NYC from October 11, 2025 through January 4, 2026. Click Here for tickets!

1. You are about to star in the world premiere Off-Broadway production of Truman vs. Israel. What made you want to audition for this show? To be cast as the central character in such a fascinating drama was a dream!

2. With all that is going on in the world today, how do you feel this show will resonate with audiences? Every audience is different, that’s part of the magic of the theatre. But, even if you are not a history buff or familiar with Harry Truman’s presidency, the playwright’s fictional encounter between Truman and Bella Abzug is fascinating, explosive, and funny.

3. You are playing the role of President Harry Truman. What do you relate most to about him? Like me, he was very close to his family and had a variety of different jobs through the years. He also liked music and laughter.

Willy Falk, Photo Credit: Ricardo Birnbaum Photography

4. What is one characteristic of his you are glad you yourself don't possess? I don’t think I am as “stubborn” as Truman describes himself, but you should ask my husband of 22 years!

5. Press notes for Truman vs. Israel state that the show "reveals the man behind the presidency." In getting ready to play this role, what is something you discovered about President Truman that you didn't know beforehand? He is the only President who never attended college and he had only one love his whole life, his wife Bess. They met when they were six!

6. According to press notes, the show centers around the truth behind one of Truman's most consequential decisions, and how it comes to light. What is one consequential decision you feel you have made in your life? When I moved to New York to try to get into show business, I was working an office job. They told me that if I left the office “one more time” to go to an audition, they would fire me. But I did go “one more time” and although I was fired from the office job, I was cast in that show, my first professional job. I got my Equity Card, and a lead in a Broadway tour. I took a big chance.

7. Truman vs. Israel also focuses around the theme of legacy. What do you want your legacy to be? That question makes me feel old…but I guess I am! You know, I enjoy meeting young performers and sharing some of the lessons that more seasoned performers taught me when I started out.

I hope I will be remembered by audiences as bringing them some joy and by colleagues as being easy to work with.

Willy Falk & Lea Salonga on Broadway in Miss Saigon
Photo Courtesy of Willy Falk's Social Media

8. Throughout your career, you have starred in several political-themed shows including Evita, Les Miserables, and of course your Tony-nominated run as the original Chris in Miss Saigon. Why do you think you have gravitated to being in so many shows with political themes? My friends think of me as funny and silly…but I often find myself playing “weighty” characters. I guess I just have a serious face?

9. Speaking of Miss Saigon, Chris sings one of my favorite musical theatre songs, "Why God Why?" In today's climate, I find myself asking that question a lot. What is something that makes you sing, "Why God Why?" I am so glad you like “Why God, Why!” That song has been very good to me. I was the first person to sing it on a Broadway stage and (so far) I am still able to sing it 34 years later. It is my most requested song.

10. In looking back at your time in Miss Saigon, what is something you learned during that show that you have carried with you to this day? It may sound funny, but I was on for the first 45 minutes of that show. So, I had to train myself to sing, non-stop, without taking a sip of water. I wouldn’t call it a “talent” but it can be useful. Call me a camel.

11. What is something we didn't get to talk about in this interview that you'd like my audience to know about you? I have always hoped that I was able to act through my singing. I think of a song as a monologue or a soliloquy. But, this is my first show in New York where I am not using my singing voice. I am excited and nervous, but ready for the challenge.

Willy Falk

More on Willy Falk:

Willy Falk has performed in Broadway shows and appeared on stages throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe in a multi-faceted career. He created the role of “Chris” in the original Broadway company of Miss Saigon for which he received a Tony© Award nomination.

He began his professional career as “Paul” in the Broadway Tour of A Chorus Line; playing over one hundred cities in the US. In his New York Broadway debut, he created the role of ‘Tommy” in Marilyn: An American Fable and his solo from that show, You Are So Beyond, became a cult favorite. He was on Broadway in Les Misérables, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Starlight Express, and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. 

Willy’s many other theatre credits include a revival of George M! with Joel Grey, Little Shop of Horrors with Dom DeLuise, the early concept CD of Jekyll and Hyde, The Last Sweet Days of Isaac/Shelter (on CD), Heartbeats (on CD), God Bless Us Everyone (on CD) and creating roles in many new musical theatre works including Oskar Kokoschka in Doll and Professor Behr in Little Women Off- Broadway.

As an in-demand singer, Willy was seen in New York in The Merry Widow, Die Fledermaus, The Crucible, and the title role of The Tales of Hoffmann in France. He is also the veteran of many concert performances with orchestras such as the Denver Symphony, The Honolulu Symphony, and The National Orchestra of Lyon, France.

Willy has created solo cabaret shows and made several of his own recordings. His debut show entitled: Willy Falk: Mostly Love, played in New York, London, and Honolulu. His recordings, albums, and singles are available on all streaming media.

On television, he recently appeared on the re-boot of Sex and The City in And Just Like That... on HBO Max.