Tony-, Pulitzer-winning 'Fiorello' Delivers Political Parallels

LOS GATOS, CA -- Daniel Thomas happens to know timing means everything in the arts.

After all, the 46-year-old Los Gatos native prides himself on being an accomplished music director. Without timing, a score just resembles noise. And when that score melds in perfect harmony with an actor's lines, it's like beautiful music.

Moreover, when the script tells a tale that works in complete synchronicity with the civics and popular culture of our time, then you have the kind of revered greatness that as a work of art just might earn a Tony award, the greatest achievement in theater. And as only one in 10 musical productions to do so, the play also holds the distinction of winning a Pulitzer Prize for words that carry meaning and make a difference.

That's the aim in social justice co-directors Thomas and Daren A.C. Carollo with the cast and crew of San Francisco’s 42nd Street Moon company are going for with their rendition of the theatrical masterpiece -- "Fiorello," based on the life of New York City’s legendary Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia. The fixture in New York politics was such a giant of a man, an airport is named after him.

"Fiorello," which runs from Feb. 27 to March 17, features lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, music by Jerry Bock of "She Loves Me" and "Fiddler on the Roof, direction by Karen Altree Piemme and choreography by Jayne Zaban. The story is based on the book by Jerome Weidman and George Abbott of "The Pajama Game" and "Damn Yankees."

The creative and talented ensemble has pledged to make San Francisco’s Gateway Theatre come to life just like the larger-than-life political character. Considered one of the greatest mayors in American history, LaGuardia successfully rose from a crusading lawyer to the U.S. Congress to running New York City. He fought the corrupt forces of Tammany Hall, while never losing his upbeat spirit or pledge to help those less fortunate than him.

There's a lesson here that yells uncanny timing to the rooftops.

Thomas notes LaGuardia, aka Fiorello, covets "internal optimism" -- even in the hardest of times and challenges. He may be bombastic and stubborn, but those traits don't keep the man of power from diminishing his passion for looking out after the little guy.

"With all our productions, we want people to be impressed with the talent on stage -- not just the singing and dancing, but for those who can tell a story," Thomas explained.

Thomas grew up in a household in which his mother was a pianist, while his father was a cardio surgeon. He's quite familiar with achieving excellence, notably by growing up in a town where being the best of the best in your field is honorary. He is an accomplished pianist himself, yet supplemented the arts side of theater with experience in administration. It's like the left and right brains working in unison. If you live in the Silicon Valley, it's difficult to maintain being a starving artist. Still, it's not just "a one industry town," as he puts it.

"I'm very fortunate," he said.

He's also very intuitive. Thomas realizes that musicals aren't everyone's forte. He fields questions about why the actors just can't speak the line.

"Sometimes you can't adequately express the emotions in just words," he said.

"With this show, in particular, we want people to come away from knowing a leader can think of the less fortunate and disenfranchised and make public service the real goal, not political power," Thomas said.

The epiphany managed to take a swipe at the current U.S. leader of the free world.

"There are so many parallels to what's going on now. It's good to talk about," said San Francisco actor Chris Nelson, who plays a police office. Floyd falls in love with a street activist named Dora. The two meet in a picket line.

Nelson, 50, has learned a thing or two about the serendipity and mystery of the unexpected. He uses the element of surprise in this role to show love, respect, understanding and empathy have no boundaries.

"In this society, we're always looking for people to blame. That's what this is about," he said, while summing up the common end result of power politics. "It's an interesting correlation between what's going on today and the politics."

The aha moments that allow the actors to be a part of something greater than themselves are reason alone to spur the artists to remain in their field.

“Given the divisiveness and bickering that has spilled out of Washington and into our homes, our workplaces, our churches and everywhere else in our lives, there couldn’t be a better time for a show like "Fiorello," Carollo said. "Mr. LaGuardia was a man who never let political pandering or backroom deals get in the way of his determination to serve all of his constituents equally; to speak for those with no voice; and to fight for those with no strength."

The co-director took pride in producing a show with a script worthy of the Pulitzer.

Political parallels is a constant the creative cast and crew keyed in on.

“At a time of intense political polarization in our nation, it is exciting to have the opportunity to work on a show about an individual who was a champion of people in immigrant communities, supported women in the labor movement and believed that true leadership meant stamping out political corruption and serving all members of our community equally. This story inspires us to be our better selves,” Piemme said.

Performances are slated for Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 6 p.m.; and Sunday at 3 p.m. A Saturday matinee is scheduled for March 9 at 1 p.m.

The Gateway Theatre is located at 215 Jackson St. in San Francisco.

Tickets range from $30 to $75 and may be purchased online at www.42ndstmoon.org or by calling 415-255-8207.

--Images courtesy of 42nd Street Moon