“The Little Flower”
The life of Fiorello H. La Guardia
“The Little Flower” is an educational, inspirational and at times comedic one-man show set in the office of Fiorello H. La Guardia, during his last day as three-term Mayor of New York City in 1945. The stage is a theatricalized representation of the American-Georgian City Hall building in Manhattan’s City Hall Park. This show can be performed with either a full set, limited set or touring set on a limited budget.
“The Little Flower” presents a historic look into the life and career of Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia – a courageous and flamboyant personality, who read comics to the children during a newspaper strike, fought against corruption and cleaned up city politics setting a new standard for mayors and politicians in America. He was a great statesman and champion of the poor and under privileged, and a father figure to millions of Americans living through the hard times of the 1930’s and 1940’s. La Guardia was a man of integrity with outstanding principles, morals and values whose voice resonated throughout America. He was steadfast in standing up for his beliefs regardless of obstacles, challenges or political agenda.
The show is set in “present time-1945” and “flashbacks.” Chronologically, it re-enacts important events in La Guardia’s life and the lessons he learned. It moves colorfully through the first half of the 20th century in America, and provides a clear vision of a man who not only lived through those times, but helped shape them. The problems La Guardia faced parallel those we are facing now. He held strong convictions on family values, inflation, women’s suffrage, financial responsibility, education, unions, political corruption and prohibition. He transcended political party barriers while holding strong to his plan of action that served him well then and could serve the American people today!
What this world needs is another La Guardia, and I am truly honored and excited to present “The Little Flower”, the return of our One-Man Show. This adaptation is enlightening and inspirational. His legacy will live on forever!
Please contact me upon receipt of the enclosed so that we can discuss the project in further detail at your early convenience.
“The Little Flower”
Starring: Tony Lo Bianco
Tony Lo Bianco (born October 19, 1936) is an American actor in films and television.
Lo Bianco was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of a taxi driver.[1] He is known for his tough guy, Italiante blue-collar roles in the cult films The Honeymoon Killers, God Told Me To, and The French Connection. Lo Bianco was a Golden Gloves boxer and also founded the Triangle Theatre in 1963, serving as its artistic director for six years and collaborating with lighting designer Jules Fisher, playwright Jason Miller & actor Roy Scheider.[2] Lo Bianco won an off-Broadway Obie award for “Yanks-3, Detroit-0, Top of the Seventh.” Most notably, Lo Bianco was nominated for a Tony for his portrayal of Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller’s ”A View from the Bridge”.[3] He also won the 1983 Outer Critics Circle Award for this performance.[4]
Lo Bianco first portrayed the larger-than-life 1934-1945 mayor of New York City Fiorello H. LaGuardia in a one-man show, Hizzoner!, written in 1984 by Paul Shyre. Lo Bianco continued his work on the life of LaGuardia in a revised revival of the piece in 2008, titled LaGuardia.[5] His third incantation of the mayor’s life is set to debut in a limited run Off-Broadway in October 2012, titled The Little Flower. [6]
Lo Bianco, an Italian American,[7] was the National Spokesperson for the Order Sons of Italy in America.[8] His many humanitarian efforts have earned multiple awards, including Man of the Year for Outstanding Contributions to the Italian-American Community from the Police Society of New Jersey; a Man of the Year Award from the State of New Jersey Senate; a Lifetime Entertainment Award form the Columbus Day Parade Committee; the 1997 Golden Lion Award; Humanitarian Award of the Boys’ Town of Italy.[9]
THE CRITICS RAVE!
“A delight! New York’s most colorful mayor comes alive. A wonderful evening of theater. Tony Lo Bianco is brilliant!”
Jeffrey Lyons, WNBC
“Tony Lo Bianco shines in his stirring solo show about New York’s legendary mayor. Lo Bianco’s impassioned delivery of a vintage campaign speech could have been written yesterday. A highly energetic and entertaining performance!”
Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter
“Tony Lo Bianco is a supremely talented and innovative actor who brings Mayor Fiorello La Guardia to life in an evening so exhilarating that New Yorkers – especially political junkie types — who don’t catch this one-man show should be fined. It would be a crime to miss it”
Linda Stasi, New York Post, commentator, NY1
“Bravo Tony! A wonderful performance about Mayor La Guardia,
a man of his time and ours.”
Pia Lindstrom
“Tony Lo Bianco gives a mesmerizing and beyond brilliant performance. His transition into La Guardia captures the essence of this lovable man. I for one nominate Tony Lo Bianco to run for mayor!”
Jules Peimer, Broadway After Dark
“Mr. Lo Bianco’s award-winning performance should not be missed! Please take time from your busy schedule and go see Tony Lo Bianco’s extremely realistic performance. You will not be sorry. He is so convincing you feel as though you are looking at and hearing
Mayor Fiorello La Guardia live on stage.”
James C. Lisa, Italian American Journal
SO DO THE POLITICIANS!
“It was wonderful. Now I know what to do.”
Mayor Michael Bloomberg after seeing “La Guardia.”
“Brilliant! A man of and for the people. Government at its best.”
Peter Vallone, Fmr. Council Speaker, New York City
“Lo Bianco is a knockout. He captures La Guardia’s essence in this funny and poignant play.”
“He is inspiring!”
Congressman Mario Biaggi
“La Guardia’ is brilliantly performed by Tony Lo Bianco and transports
you to a bygone era in NYC’s history. It is as topical as
today’s news with a history lesson to boot.
Tony is superb in delivering a fascinating performance.”
Joe Bruno, Commissioner NYC OEM
“Fiorello La Guardia truly comes to life on the stage. This one-man tour de force is a must see for anyone who loves the history of what makes New York City the unique city that it is. Lo Bianco gives a skillful and passionate interpretation of this extraordinary leader!”
Thomas DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller
AND THE FAMILY!
“Tony Lo Bianco is LaGuardia! To watch the joyous faces of all who see him in this role reminds us of the great love New Yorkers still have for their former Mayor”
Katherine D. LaGuardia, granddaughter and Chair, Fiorello H. LaGuardia Foundation
