Danny Rutigliano (The Lion King) will take on the role of Fiorello LaGuardia in Encores!’ upcoming staging of the bio musical Fiorello! Joining Rutigliano are Shuler Hensley (Oklahoma!) as Ben Marino, Kate Baldwin (Giant) as Thea, Erin Dilly (A Christmas Story) as Marie and Emily Skinner (Billy Elliot) as Mitzi. Directed by Gary Griffin and choreographed by Alex Sanchez, Fiorello! will play New York City Center January 30 through February 3.
Featuring a book by Jerome Weidman and George Abbott, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, Fiorello! tells the story of Mayor Fiorello LaGuarda’s rise from an immigrant’s son to feisty congressmen. His guts and determination helped fight corruption and brought down the crooked Tammany Hall political machine. The Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical originally opened on Broadway on November 23, 1959 and ran for 795 performances.
The Encores! production of Fiorello! will also feature Jenn Gambatese as Dora, Jeremy Bobb as Floyd, Ray DeMattis as Mr. Zapatella, Adam Heller as Morris, Richard Ruiz as Mr. Lopez, Andrew Samonsky as Neil and Cheryl Stern as Mrs. Pomerantz. The ensemble will include Meggie Cansler, Christine DiGiallonardo, Yurel Echezarreta, Leah Edwards, Rob Gallagher, Jordan Fife Hunt, Alison Jantzie, Lizzie Klemperer, Eddie Korbich, Kevin Ligon, Rebecca Robbins, Adam Rogers, Steve Routman, Tommy Scrivens, Lainie Sakakura, Carly Blake Sebouhian, Nathaniel Stampley and Kevin Vortmann.
Encores! 20th anniversary season will continue after Fiorello! with It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman and On Your Toes.