Frank: ‘I’m not a senator, I just play one off-Broadway’

He didn’t get the gig in real life, but former Rep. Barney Frank cracked to ITK after making his New York stage debut, “You know what they say, I’m not a senator, I just play one off-Broadway.”

The Massachusetts Democrat went from the House floor to the off-Broadway stage on Saturday, playing the part of a senator in the musical “Fiorello!” The show is based on the life of former congressman and New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia (R).

Frank retired earlier this month after 32 years in Congress. He was passed over by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) after lobbying to be named interim senator of Sen. John Kerry’s (D-Mass.) seat, which was left vacant after Kerry became secretary of State.

The ex-House member says he had “great fun” in his one-night-only role and even got a few laughs from the audience after delivering a line about a very important aspect of congressional etiquette for House freshmen: “You don’t speak in your first year.”

Frank — who has had bit parts in stage shows before — says he’s always had a little bit of an acting bug. He used to talk about the similarities between entertainment and politics with the late Rep. Sonny Bono (R-Calif.).

When we asked how he thinks he did in the show, Frank replied, “I have learned one thing about being sensible, and that is never rate your own performance.”

Frank expressed how grateful he was for the opportunity to shine on stage. He says the cast “went out of their way to be generous to me” and even gave him a premiere curtain call.

At one point, the director asked him if he’d like to take a bow. Frank says he deadpanned, “I said, ‘Wait a minute — let me ask you a question. You’re immersing yourself in a play and it’s about a member of Congress. Are you really asking me if I want to take a bow?’”