Former Congressman Barney Frank to Make Cameo in New York City Center Encores!’ Fiorello!
The recently retired Massachusetts Democrat will make a cameo appearance in the Saturday, February 2 New York City Center Encores! performance of Fiorello!, as an outspoken (conservative) Senator who opposes the titular LaGuardia’s political policies. Frank could be using this opportunity as a dress rehearsal of sorts: he has expressed interest in serving in the United States Senate if Massachusetts senator John Kerry is confirmed as Secretary of State.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning 1959 Jerry Bock/Sheldon Harnick musical, which features a book by Jerome Weidman and George Abbott, is directed by Garry Griffin. Rob Berman serves as musical director, with Alex Sanchez as choreographer. Exploring LaGuardia’s rise from immigrant’s son to the feisty congressman who brought down Tammany Hall to New York City Mayor, the score features show tune classics including “‘Til Tomorrow,” When Did I Fall In Love?” and “The Name’s LaGuardia.”
Danny Rutigliano (The Lion King) stars in the title role, alongside Tony Award winner Shuler Hensley (Oklahoma!) as Republican District Leader Ben Marino, Tony Award nominees Kate Baldwin (Giant), Erin Dilly (A Christmas Story), and Emily Skinner (Side Show) as Thea, Marie, and Mitzi; Jenn Gambatese (Tarzan) as Dora, Jeremy Bobb (Is He Dead?) as Floyd, Adam Heller (Elf) as Morris, Andrew Samonsky (Merrily We Roll Along) as Neil, Ray DeMattis (Grease) as Mr. Zapatella, Richard Ruiz (Romeo and Juliet) as Mr. Lopez, Cheryl Stern (La Cage aux Folles) as Mrs. Pomerantz, and an ensemble that includes Justin Barnette, Meggie Cansler, Christine DiGiallonardo, Yurel Echezarreta, Leah Edwards, Rob Gallagher, Jordan Fife Hunt, Alison Jantzie, Lizzie Klemperer, Kevin Ligon, Lauralyn McClelland,Rebecca Robbins, Adam Rogers, Steve Routman,Tommy Scrivens, Lainie Sakakura, Carly Blake Sebouhian, Nathaniel Stampley, and Kevin Vortmann.
One of only eight musicals to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Fiorello! premiered at Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre in 1959 and ran for 795 performances. The work also received Tonys for its star, Tom Bosley, director Abbott, and the coveted Best Musical prize, beating the original productions of Gypsy, Once Upon a Mattress, and Take Me Along.
Click here to watch TheaterMania’s behind-the-scenes look at Fiorello!.
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