Fiorello! NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (76)
See it if A classic with a memorable score. I saw the original in 1960! This rivals it in heart. Nifty performances. Needs more than piano & violin
Don't see it if Saw Matt Caccamo in the lead. Wonderful! Could have lived without the over the top choreography. I love Politics & Poker and Little Tin Box!
See it if Great small theater production. Singing was particularly strong; cast was energetic & delightful, clever staging. Thoroughly enjoyable!
Don't see it if You mind a "shoestring" production - don't expect Broadway. But still damn good. As others said, more live instruments would have been nice.
See it if want to see a great revival with young actors doing an excellent job. love the score.
Don't see it if are not interested in shows about nyc history and fast paced musicals
See it if Bob Moss directs a great revival of Fiorello, about Mayor La Guardia and NYC history. Great story, amazing score. Highly recommend.
Don't see it if you aren't interested in NYC history, or don't want to see a fun show with a catchy score
See it if You would like a fun biographical show with catchy songs and zippy dances. I loved the barbershop pieces by the 6 guys.
Don't see it if You want something deeper, more dramatic, or more modern.
See it if you want to see a well-done, but no-frills production of a classic musical.
Don't see it if you prefer high-budget very produced shows.
See it if you're interested in biographical stories or old-fashioned musicals with weight and fluff in equal measure.
Don't see it if you'd rather see something edgy or groundbreaking.
See it if Want to learn about life of Fiorello Laguardia and his times
Don't see it if Appreciate top shelf stuff
Critic Reviews (34)
"All in all, the young talented BTG performers seem a little on the young side (because they are) to portray some of the roles, but their talent and enthusiasm overshadow...Highlight performances come from Chelsea Cree Groen as Dora, Rebecca Brudner as Thea, Rylan Morsbach as Ben, as well as Lombardi as LaGuardia...The clever songs and lyrics keep the audience enamored, the timeliness of political corruption always on the money (no pun intended)."
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"'Fiorello!' was already a period piece in 1959. This production depends on its fresh-faced cast and its music and musicians being scrupulously true to the time to slip you right into the play...There is charm and wit in the lyrics. Still...the wit in 'Fiorello!' has an antiquated, 'let’s-not-ask-too-much-of-our-audience' feel...This production is entirely authentic...The cast all seem to be about the same age so on occasion they struggle to cover all the character demands."
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"Everyone looks far too young, and no one has either the gravitas or rough edges to embody the older roles or the versatility called for when playing several. Given the show’s gangsterish background, it’s like watching ‘Bugsy Malone,’ in which prepubescent actors played mobsters and molls, only now they look like college kids. There are some fine female voices, but most of the acting is only passable; no one is truly distinctive, but Groen and Morsbach show great promise."
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"What is to celebrate here is Harnick and Bock's work, equally for its melodic sophistication as for the clarion singing of the cast of this revival. Every note, every lyric is beautifully produced by the troupe, whether simply singing or also executing frequently charming choreography. I ought to mention, however, the detriments...The book is thin...As the director of this revival, Robert Moss lacks Abbott’s knack. Here the tuner’s sketchiness is made manifest."
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"Sadly the score sounds thin with the two keyboards and a violin, though the cast for the most part have excellent voices...The cast is extremely young and it feels like a non-union college production...Physically Lombardi is just wrong and is not a powerful enough singer...Moss’ direction and choreography by Callahan is in constant motion, instead of leaving room for tender moments. The book is outdated and it is a shame it wasn’t tweaked to give it a fresh take."
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"Their melodic score, brimming over with warm but sharp humor, retains its charm...The book is decidedly old-fashioned, and somewhat clunky by present-day standards...Decidedly 'summer stock'...Up on the Straw Hat circuit, this 'Fiorello!' might have seemed like a bright and endearing summer’s night diversion. Down here on 13th Street, it seems a welcome way to form an acquaintance with Bock & Harnick’s Pulitzer-winner but not exactly up to professional standards."
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"The music by Bock and witty lyrics of Harnick are chief attractions...Directed by Bob Moss, the enthusiastic company puts plenty of spirit into the show...Despite the appealing acting by Austin Scott Lombardi in the title role, it must be faced that he looks nothing like LaGuardia...The book can get heavy at times, true also in the original...But whatever quibbles one may find here, this staging is an admirable, welcomely enjoyable opportunity to see this show."
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"'Fiorello!' is a terrific piece of writing, with adroit direction, artful visuals, droll choreography, and a company of notably young, talented players—a veritable treat. Getting past their youth takes a minute. After that, it’s clear sailing...The show is warm, tuneful, charming, wry, and wise. You’ll have a good time. Director Bob Moss stages with great freshness and an eye to visuals. The large cast moves seamlessly from scene to scene as does furniture. Pacing is nimble."
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