Mr. Fall was 12 years old when his family moved north from Yonkers.

"I never expected to still be living here," Mr. Fall said.

Mr. Falls clearly wants the pearl-clutchers in the audience to have their props at the ready.

Mr. Falls, who specialized in litigation, was a partner at the firm from 1963 through 1990.

The race is close, but most seem to think that Mr. Falls will win again.

"We have been politically asleep for too long," Mr. Fall said.

"She is far more a wife than a mother," Mr. Falls said.

Mr. Falls has long been locked in a bear hug of an embrace with the theater.

In reality, Mr. Falls has been directing plays even longer.

"It was very quick for the fire to hit all the rooms," Mr. Fall said, as a friend translated.