Mon. April 21, 2008
By Michael J. Roberts
Fiorello! is an ensemble show with several vocally complex production numbers, and musical director Douglas Peck has worked choral precision with the cast. The male chorus (Steve Best, Andy Nagrah, Dan Loftus, Thomas M. Shea and Joe Savino) are pitch perfect in their numbers ‘Politics and Poker', ‘The Bum Won' and ‘Little Tin Box'. For the ladies, Donica Lynn blows the rafters off the theatre in her show stopping ‘Gentlemen Jimmy'.
Choreographer Linda Fortunato has successfully created some technically challenging dance numbers all within Kevin Hagan's remarkably layered and functionally lavish set. Mike Tutaj talents are maximally utilized with the fantastic and informative projections (a throwback to Harold Prince's Evita) and a wonderfully balanced sound design.
Fiorello! Is a must see for those who love history and those who just love a great night of musical theatre.
Fiorello! plays through June 15, 2008 at the Timeline Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago, IL 60657. For ticket information and show times, please visit www.timelinetheatre.com
Photo 1: - Political boss Ben Marino (Terry Hamilton, standing) asks political hacks (from left, Andy Nagraj, Dan Loftus, Thomas M. Shea, and Steve Best), "Which is more important, politics or poker?" in TimeLine Theatre's remount of its award-winning musical FIORELLO!, book by Jerome Weidman and George Abbott, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, directed by Nick Bowling, musical direction by Doug Peck, April 13 – June 15, 2008. For complete information, visit www.timelinetheatre.com. Photo by Lara Goetsch.
Photo 2: — Fiorello H. LaGuardia (PJ Powers, standing top) stirs up support among New York voters in TimeLine Theatre's remount of its award-winning musical FIORELLO! Photo by Lara Goetsch.
For the complete article (non-reader view with multimedia and original links),
Tap here.
Head to the local LGBTQ news, events, directory and people network at ChicagoPride.com