THE HANGOVER REPORT – Berkshire Theatre Group brings its fresh-faced FIORELLO! to New York for an encore run

Berkshire Theatre Group's revival of "Fiorello!"

Berkshire Theatre Group’s revival of “Fiorello!”

This past year has been a big one for Bock and Harnick. Indeed, the last twelve months have seen an unprecedented string of New York revivals of their musicals. Last fall saw the York’s resuscitation of The Rothschilds in the form of the reconsidered Rothschild & Sons. Then came the sterling Broadway revivals of Fiddler on the Roof and She Loves Me in the winter and spring, respectively. Now, late in the summer, we have the Berkshire Theatre Group bringing their summer production of Fiorello! to New York at the East 13th Street Theater (otherwise known as the home of Classic Stage Company) for an encore run.

The Pulitzer- and Tony-winning musical (it shared the 1960 Tony for Best Musical with none other than Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music) charts the eventful career of Fiorello La Guardia from a New York lawyer, to Congressman, to war hero, and finally to mayor of the city. Bock and Harnick’s early score is a joy, and there’s more than a hint of Frank Loesser it – a compliment, to be sure, particularly as it relates to this New York-centric tale.

Berkshire Theatre Group’s lean but buoyant revival, smoothly directed by stage veteran Bob Moss, features a very young and capable cast (most of them seem to have come straight from drama school), which befits a show set in young America. In the title role, Austin Scott Lombardi is very good, ably channeling La Guardia’s manic energy, drive, and brash charisma. As the two women in his life, Katei Birenboim and Rebecca Brudner – as Marie and Thea, respectively – give lovely performances. Other fresh-faced standouts include Matt McLean’s Morris, Chelsea Cree Groen’s Dora, and Dan Cassin’s Floyd.

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FIORELLO!
Off-Broadway, Musical
Berkshire Theatre Group at The East 13th Street Theater
2 hours, 35 minutes (with one intermission)
Through October 7

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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