VARIETY
Friday, November 12, 1999
LEGIT REVIEW
FIORELLO!
By Julio Martinez

There are eons of evolutionary strata separating the lovable but dimly lit boxer-cabbie Tony Banta ("Taxi") from the brilliant and aggressive little gadfly Fiorello LaGuardia, who rose to become mayor of New York. Tony Danza makes the transition from his best-known role with aplomb in this barebones but dynamic Reprise! Broadway's Best In Concert revival of the 1959 Pulitzer Prize-winning musical that also took top Tony and N.Y. Drama Critics' Circle honors. Director Glenn Casale keeps this chronicle of Fiorello's rise to power simple and crisp, wisely putting his faith in the marvelously intelligent and witty George Abbott/Jerome Weidman book, and the infectious songs of Jerry Bock (music) and Sheldon Harnick (lyrics). Danza charges right to the heart of this colorful character, ably supported by an outstanding ensemble.

Trim and fit Danza cuts a more svelte than the show's originator, Tom Bosley, who was an amazing physical match to the roundish LaGuardia. But Danza captures the pugnacious, driving ambition of the little lawyer of Italian and Jewish heritage, who combined a fiercely intense integrity with an unwavering belief in himself and his ability to lead. Danza does not possess the most secure vocal instrument but instills an infectious sincerity into his rendering of the workers' strike anthem, "Unfair," and his political call to arms, "The Name's LaGuardia."

Danza's take-charge LaGuardia is complemented perfectly by Amy Pietz and Jennifer Westfeldt as the two women in his life. Making her professional stage debut, Pietz ("Caroline in the City") exudes a loving but feisty persona as LaGuardia's long-suffering, ever-adoring secretary, Marie. Pietz also demonstrates a fluid, personality-rich vocal ability in two humor-filled odes to unrequited love, "Marie's Law" and "The Very Next Man." Westfeldt ("Two Guys and a Girl") offers a striking portrayal as Thea, LaGuardia's first wife. Westfeldt's Thea captures a perfect balance between deep respect and emotional ambivalence toward this man who does not take no for an answer. This mood is captured perfectly in her two ballads, "'Till Tomorrow" and "When Did I Fall In Love?"

The production follows LaGuardia's life from 1914 to 1934 when he finally defeats Tammany Hall's cover boy, Mayor Jimmy Walker. The spirit of these colorful but roaringly corrupt years in New York's history is captured exquisitely by Lenny Wolpe's adept portrayal of political boss Ben Marino, ably assisted by a hilarious quartet of sleazy, political cronies (Eddie Driscoll, Joshua Finkel, Daniel Guzman, George McDaniel). These backroom politicos provide the two musical highlights of the evening, "Politics and Poker" and the deliciously clever "Little Tin Box."
More highlights are provided by the comical courtship of Suzanne Blakeslee's working girl Dora and her dimwitted but opportunistic policeman beau, Floyd, played to the lowbrow hilt by Mike Hagerty. Blakeslee chews up a bit of scenery herself in her effusive admission that the oppressed is smitten with the oppressor ("I Love a Cop"). Brian Stepanek and Ron Orbach are quite believable as LaGuardia's overworked but dedicated assistants, Neil and Morris, respectively.
Assisting the production greatly is Kay Cole's minimalist but mood-enhancing choreography, high-lighted by fellow "A Chorus Line" alumni Pamela Blair's twinkling rendition of tap-laden "Gentleman Jimmy." Music director Peter Matz and his accomplished onstage mini-orchestra create seamless, period-evoking accompaniment to the whole proceedings.

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
November 12-14, 1999
THEATRE REVIEW
FIORELLO!
By Ed Kaufman

Aside from flamboyant Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, today's politicians are a pretty ordinary and PC bunch. At one time, the cult of personality was a political staple: "Gentleman" Jimmy Walker in New York, "Kingfish" Huey Long in Louisiana, celebrity Ronald Reagan as president.
Add Fiorello LaGuardia (a.k.a. "The Little Flower"), the short, gruff-voiced, energetic, colorful, cocky and thoroughly honest reform party maverick who went to war with Tammany Hall and emerged victorious, serving as New York's mayor from 1934-45. Although LaGuardia lacked the size and stature, he was a man of courage, conviction, humanity and compassion for the underprivileged. And hardly bland.

Using this as a starting point (the honest politician with a large heart who bucks the corrupt political system), Jerome Weidman and legendary George Abbott wrote the book to "Fiorello!" in 1959, with music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, who went on to write the score for "Fiddler on the Roof."

As its final show of the 1999 season, "REPRISE! Broadway's Best in Concert" has brought back "Fiorello!"(the 1959 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, as well as Pulitzer Prize recipient) in all its early glory.
Without the benefit of costly sets and props, savvy director Glenn Casale, choreographer Kay Cole, scenic designer Gary Wissman, costume designer David Zyla, and talented musical director Peter Matz have created a production that is simply terrific; a warm intimate and touching gem of a show that is lyrical and magical.

As LaGuardia, Tony Danza is brash, cocky, irascible - and wonderful. His "The Name's LaGuardia" musically sets the leitmotif for all that follows. And the two great loves of his life, Thea and Marie (Jennifer Westfeldt and Amy Pietz), are equally outstanding.

Lenny Wolpe fashions a first-rate Ben, a political advisor, especially in the show-stoppers "Politics and Poker" and "Little Tin Box."

Add strong support by Brian Stepanek, Ron Orbach, Susanne Blakeslee, Mike Hagerty and Pamela Blair.