All of New York City circa 1915-33 is on Theatre Works' intimate stage, but it doesn't seem crowded - except with talent. Fiorello! capsulizes the career of Manhattan Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. The lively musical shows him "On the Side of the Angels" from his days as a lawyer for "the little people."
Michael Marcello fits the big role vocally and physically, projecting charm and conviction that saves LaGuardia from seeming too self-righteous. He's ably abetted by assistants Marie (lovely, poised and perfect mezzo Angela Bond) and Morris (Charlie Schwartz, wonderfully intense in devotion and voice). Like Thea, an Italian political activist (sweetly played by Kim Perkins-Rabell, though with a strange accent) who becomes
LaGuardia's first wife, one may wonder "When Did I Fall in Love?" with him. A good bet is when he steps up on a soap box to proclaim his name and platform, since Marcello gets the audience spontaneously clapping (some singing) and maybe ready to vote! Political satire is delicious in such songs as "Politics and Poker" (played today, dare one say, in Florida...?) and "Little Tin Box" (where politicians store "savings" they righteously claim account for their suspicious accumulated riches). On these a chorus of ward-healer types achieve cunning harmony.
Paralleling the blossoming of the "Little Flower" are a cop (stalwart Brad Pattison) who goes far in the sewage business and his once-upon-a time-striker girlfriend, Dora. Anything-but dumb with her tin-edged belting, Ellie St. Amand's Dora remains spunky through umpteen upsets and telling costume changes. Fitting, too, is Michael Bajjaly as a realistic Marino, the tough political boss who backs LaGuardia first and last.
There's no such thing as unrequited love in Fiorello!; cheers when "Marie's Law," though a lyrical treat, gets broken. Hooray when Morris finally gets to go home from work on time! Nice finale when everyone who should get together does.
