While even those less familiar with the musical theater canon have at least heard of "Fiddler on the Roof," or maybe even "She Loves Me," only diehard aficionados know much about the more obscure musical "Fiorello!" All three musicals were written by the songwriting team Bock and Harnick, and
TimeLine Theatre Company's excellent production of "Fiorello!" makes a good case for the piece's need to be become better known.
The musical tells the life story of Fiorello LaGuardia, the man who steadfastly fought corruption both in New York and (during wartime) in Europe, and became one of the best remembered mayors of New York City (yes, the airport is named after him). While it might be easy to dismiss the story as having too much to do with that "other" town, there is much that Chicagoans can take to heart in the tale; incredibly corrupt and patronage-oriented politicians reside in other places than just the East Coast.
As Fiorello, TimeLine Artistic Director P.J. Powers does some impressive character work; he seems to leap around the set (well-designed by Kevin Hagan) with boundless energy, and is able to be abrasive but still endearing. His long-suffering lovelorn secretary Marie is played by Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago stalwart Rebecca Finnegan in a funny performance that also manages to be deeply moving where appropriate.
They're also backed up by a team of supporting and ensemble members who would easily be able to handle lead roles; Terry Hamilton as politician Ben Marino makes a great impression in such numbers as "Little Tin Box," and Cassie Wooley (as LaGuardia's first wife), Maris Hudson and Bethany Thomas all get a chance to knock a song out of the park.
All in all, this is one of the best Off-Loop production of a musical to show up this year. It's a great choice for audience members eager for an old-fashioned strong book musical that has managed to avoid being overdone.
Playing at TimeLine Theatre Company; 615 W. Wellington Ave.; (773) 281-8463; $25. Playing through June 18; 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 4 p.m. & 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.
