Musical Spotlight: Fiorello! by Jerome Wiedman, George Abbott, Jerry Bock, and Sheldon Harnick (1960)

Description
I'm going to share the synopsis from Wikipedia: "The story follows the life of Fiorello H. La Guardia during World War I and ten years later. As Mayor of New York City La Guardia reforms city politics by helping end Tammany Hall's vaunted political machine."

 Yeah, no clue. 

 Candid Reaction
Poker is like politics. Okay, cool.

Darn, I really lack the knowledge of historical context to enjoy it.

 Top Two Aspects/Reasons for Winning
1. The Nonfictional Nature
I think this show won because it was centered on a real-life scandalous scenario. It was the first musical to win that was based on a true story.

2. The Sass  
The show really criticizes the corrupt nature of politics. The show accomplishes their attack on politics in a witty, sly way. The song "Politics and Poker" exemplifies the message of the show. Listen to it here.

 Classroom Implications
This show could help students understand the concept "Content dictates form."

Personal Takeaway
When shows address such a specific topic or event, it is essential to researching that topic or event to fully appreciate it.

Ranking
TBD

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Rankings

9.75 -- Fences by August Wilson ( 1987 ) 9.5 -- The Subject Was Roses by Frank D. Gilroy (1965) 9.25 -- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams (1955) 9.25 -- The Gin Game by D.L. Coburn (1978) 9.25  --   Long Day's Journey into Night  by Eugene O'Neill  (1957) 9.25 -- Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire (2007) 9.25 -- Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks ( 2002 ) 9.0 -- Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes by Tony Kushner (1993)   9.0  --  Anna Christie  by Eugene O'Neill  (1922) 9.0 -- Cost of Living by Martyna Majok ( 2018 ) 9.0 -- Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller (1949) 9.0 -- Doubt by John Patrick Shanley (2005) 9.0 --  The Flick by Annie Baker (2014) 9.0 -- 'night, Mother by Marsha Norman (1983) 9.0 -- Water by the Spoonful by Quiara Alegria Hudes ( 2012 ) 8 .75 --  Beyond the Horizon by Eugene O'Neill (1920) 8.75 -- How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel ( 1998 ) 8.75 -- ...
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