Photo Coverage: Backstage at FIORELLO! with Former Congressman Barney Frank

Former congressman Barney Frank assumed the role of a conservative senator when he made his stage debut yesterday, February 2, in Fiorello!, the opening musical of New York City Center's Encores!20th Anniversary season. BroadwayWorld spent some time with Frank and the cast backstage and brings you photos below!

A member of the Democratic Party, Barney Frank served as chairman of the House Financial Services Committee (2007-2011) and was a leading co-sponsor of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, a sweeping reform of the U.S. financial industry. Frank did not seek re-election in 2012 and retired from Congress at the end of his term in January 2013. Frank has expressed interest in serving temporarily in the United States Senate should John Kerry be confirmed Secretary of State. His role in Fiorello! could be a dress-rehearsal of sorts for a senator role.

Perhaps to prepare for his possible role as United States Senator, Frank made his stage debut in the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Fiorello!, the story of New York City's Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia's rise from an immigrant's son to the feisty congressman whose guts and determination to fight corruption brought down the crooked Tammany Hall political machine. Frank played an outspoken senator who disagrees with LaGuardia's policies.

Frank joined cast members Kate Baldwin, Jeremy Bobb, Ray DeMattis, Erin Dilly, Jenn Gambatese, Adam Heller, Shuler Hensley, Richard Ruiz, Danny Rutigliano, Andrew Samonsky, Emily Skinner and Cheryl Stern as Fiorello LaGuardia. Fiorello! is directed by Gary Griffinwith choreography by Alex Sanchez and music direction by Rob Berman. The show will run for seven performances through today, February 3 at New York City Center.

Fiorello! has a book by Jerome Weidman and George Abbott, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. It is one of only eight musicals to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and it also won the Tony Award for Best Musical.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

Barney Frank

Barney Frank & husband Jim Ready

Barney Frank

Jim Ready

Barney Frank & husband Jim Ready

Danny Rutigliano

Danny Rutigliano with Barney Frank

Danny Rutigliano with Barney Frank

Rob Berman with Barney Frank

Barney Frank

Barney Frank & Director Gary Griffin

Barney Frank with husband Jim Ready & Director Gary Griffin with his partner

Kate Baldwin

Kate Baldwin with Barney Frank

Barney Frank

Kate Baldwin

Terrence McNally with his husband Tom Kirdahy

Shuler Hensley with Barney Frank

Shuler Hensley

Shuler Hensley with Barney Frank

Barney Frank

Erin Dilly with Barney Frank

Erin Dilly with Barney Frank

Erin Dilly with Barney Frank

Erin Dilly with Barney Frank

Terrence McNally with his husband Tom Kirdahy with Barney Frank with husband Jim Ready

Barney Frank with husband Jim Ready