"Fiorello" comes to life at NJIT's Jim Wise Theater
Kristy Barry
Issue date: 3/6/07 Section: Life & Leisure
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Fiorello was his name-o. The joint theatre programs of Rutgers-Newark and NJIT combined talents to bring to life the story of Fiorello LaGuardia, the former mayor of New York City. The play follows his life while running for mayor, combating mafia corruption in the city, and of course, finding love.
"Fiorello was an historic pageant," said Bill Gile, director of the play.
LaGuardia International Airport is named after Fiorello, who was the only mayor of New York City to be elected three times. And in 1959, "Fiorello" was the first Broadway musical to win the Pullitzer Prize.
When asked if it was daunting to perform the role of the famed mayor, Michael Campbell said he was unfazed. "I know there's lot of history and things to pay attention to...but at the end of the day you have to take it and make it your own." Campbell, an NJIT alumnus said it was strange but funny "to speak with such conviction on something you know nothing about."
"I thought it was a really good experience," Campbell said. "A lot of the guys and girls are really excited, they may not have the proper training but they came out and they're really enthusiastic."
The play had some skids but was able to regain control. Some songs were choppy and sung off-tune but others actually threw you off-guard because they were sung so well, including Alexa McCartney's solo "When did I fall in love?"
"It's a really nice feeling," said McCartney, a student at NJIT. "Really exciting finally being able to present your character, working with everyone, putting everything on stage you've been working towards…you get so close and become family in a way."
Marcos Novoa, a junior at R-N, played the clumsy-cool cop Floyd with such ease you weren't sure if he was acting or if he was really born into a pack of apes…but in a good way. He collected the most laughs and picked up the play when scenes started to droop.
"It was so hard to hold back from laughing," said Samantha Glovin, Novoa's on-stage wife and an undecided major at R-N. "He did some things I wasn't expecting, I was holding it in so hard. I think he's hilarious and really good, very naturally funny."
"Fiorello was an historic pageant," said Bill Gile, director of the play.
LaGuardia International Airport is named after Fiorello, who was the only mayor of New York City to be elected three times. And in 1959, "Fiorello" was the first Broadway musical to win the Pullitzer Prize.
When asked if it was daunting to perform the role of the famed mayor, Michael Campbell said he was unfazed. "I know there's lot of history and things to pay attention to...but at the end of the day you have to take it and make it your own." Campbell, an NJIT alumnus said it was strange but funny "to speak with such conviction on something you know nothing about."
"I thought it was a really good experience," Campbell said. "A lot of the guys and girls are really excited, they may not have the proper training but they came out and they're really enthusiastic."
The play had some skids but was able to regain control. Some songs were choppy and sung off-tune but others actually threw you off-guard because they were sung so well, including Alexa McCartney's solo "When did I fall in love?"
"It's a really nice feeling," said McCartney, a student at NJIT. "Really exciting finally being able to present your character, working with everyone, putting everything on stage you've been working towards…you get so close and become family in a way."
Marcos Novoa, a junior at R-N, played the clumsy-cool cop Floyd with such ease you weren't sure if he was acting or if he was really born into a pack of apes…but in a good way. He collected the most laughs and picked up the play when scenes started to droop.
"It was so hard to hold back from laughing," said Samantha Glovin, Novoa's on-stage wife and an undecided major at R-N. "He did some things I wasn't expecting, I was holding it in so hard. I think he's hilarious and really good, very naturally funny."
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