Bella Bella
Closed 1h 30m
Bella Bella
83

Bella Bella NYC Reviews and Tickets

83%
(184 Reviews)
Positive
97%
Mixed
2%
Negative
1%
Members say
Entertaining, Funny, Great acting, Relevant, Clever

About the Show

Four-time Tony winner Harvey Fierstein returns to MTC taking on New York City’s very own political firebrand, Bella Abzug, in his new raucous solo show. 

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Member Reviews (184)

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546 Reviews | 1879 Followers
88
Resonant, Absorbing, Funny, Intelligent

See it if Smart and funny. One of Fiersteins’s sharpest solo shows. Really enjoyed it. Learned a lot.

Don't see it if You don’t like Harvey Fierstein.

716 Reviews | 219 Followers
85
Relevant, Funny, Informative, Great acting, Delightful

See it if Harvey F is both serious and hilarious, as he does a wonderful job channeling Bella Abzug. I didn't know much about her, but now I do!

Don't see it if You don't like solo bios. You are uninterested in a pioneering Jewish feminist social-justice NY lawyer/politician from the 1970's.

754 Reviews | 124 Followers
88
Ambitious, Educational, Historical, Refreshing, Resonant

See it if You love Harvey Fierstein, are interested in feminist history or want to learn Yiddish. It's a well written play and a fun experience.

Don't see it if you expect to see a Bella impersonation. Harvey is delightful but he's definitely Harvey.

716 Reviews | 157 Followers
83
Clever, Thought-provoking, Relevant, Great acting, Funny

See it if if you're a fan of Fierstein or Bella Abzug, enjoy 1-person shows, want to get some 60's-70's NY history, curious how Harvey plays a woman

Don't see it if you don't like one person plays, not interested in politics or Bella Abzug specifically, don't like males in female roles

650 Reviews | 284 Followers
64
In 1-man show, fierstein channels spirit of bella abzug, but need more than caricature to bring her alive

See it if Fierstein, a force of nature like Bella, is a good person to play her; reminds us of how far women have come b/c of Bella

Don't see it if broad caricature of Bella telling a lot of lame Borscht Belt jokes; need dramatic situation or foil 4 Bella to galvanize the play

MJK
677 Reviews | 190 Followers
72
Indulgent, Reductive, Disappointing, Schticky, Cute

See it if you like Fierstein's trademark style; you want to learn (in a Wiki sort of way) about a prominent figure in 70s NYC politics.

Don't see it if u hope for a serious exploration of a complex woman (who deserves to be remembered as more than just a caricatured hat-wearing wisecracker). Read more

688 Reviews | 116 Followers
75
Absorbing, Disappointing, Relevant, Thought-provoking, Entertaining

See it if Often humorous & poignant, other times strident & indulgent this "Intro to Abzug 101" works best in its reflective moments Bella's legacy A+

Don't see it if It's not the script's verbosity that fails it; it's two powerhouse talents - Abzug & Fierstein competing for our attention; to close to call

543 Reviews | 133 Followers
85
Relevant, Intelligent, Delightful, Funny, Entertaining

See it if Great presentation of the passion that was Bella, a force of nature; HF plays the part w/respect/humor/intelligence; involves the audience.

Don't see it if you don't like one man shows or Harvey; you have an issue with a man playing a woman even without changing his physical appearance; Read more

Critic Reviews (17)

The New York Times
October 22nd, 2019

"Abzug and Fierstein, on the Same Ticket in ‘Bella Bella’: When the former Edna Turnblad plays the feminist firebrand of the 1970s, there’s no dress but it’s still a drag."
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Time Out New York
October 22nd, 2019

4/5 stars "Informative and respectful throughout, but there's an unavoidable incongruity in the fact of Fierstein's male presentation. The tradeoff for this is Fierstein himself: He's so distinctive a performer and so immensely appealing as Abzug…that it's hard to imagine the role being played by anyone else.
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The Hollywood Reporter
October 22nd, 2019

"Four-time Tony winner Harvey Fierstein wrote and performs this affectionate solo tribute to political firebrand Bella Abzug, set on the night of her 1976 bid to become New York State's first female Senator."
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Variety
October 22nd, 2019

"Fierstein wrote this homage to legendary New York politician Bella Abzug -- and plays her, too."
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Deadline
October 22nd, 2019

"Harvey Fierstein’s ‘Bella Bella’ Is Classic Harvey Harvey"
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Theatermania
October 22nd, 2019

"Harvey Fierstein Takes On New York Politics in 'Bella Bella': Fierstein plays the real-life politician Bella Abzug in a new solo show."
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BroadwayWorld
October 22nd, 2019

"Harvey Fierstein Tips His Hat To The Iconic Abzug in 'BELLA BELLA'"
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Lighting & Sound America
October 30th, 2019

"Nobody works a room like Harvey Fierstein. In a time dominated in part by a fraught conversation about women and power, it's good to remember how Abzug built an indelible career by demanding that her voice be heard -- even if, all these years later, a man has to play her.:
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