Elizabeth Spencer's LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 2/28/05 at 12:49am

After staying up later than I should have because I read the first chapter of Elizabeth Spencer's beautiful novella, LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, I am finding myself even more excited to see the production (got tickets two weeks ago) over spring break than I was a week ago. Guettell is marvelous. This novella is simply gorgeous. And it is blessed with a fabulous cast.

Anyone seen out-of-town performances *and* read the novella? How do they compare with each other?

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 2/28/05 at 1:16am

I haven't seen the production or read the novella, but I have the score (shhh). Ohhhh my if you like Adam Guettal, you are in for a treat. I think this is his best score yet. It's sort of operatic, but not in a pretentious way. It's kind of impressionistic. It reminds me a lot of rachmoninoff and Debussy. It's gorgeous.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 2/28/05 at 12:17pm

*bump*

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 2/28/05 at 1:14pm

What else did Adam Guettal write?

[Switz78]

Posted: 2/28/05 at 1:31pm

Myths and Hymns, Floyd Collins, Saturn Returns, the opera version of Christmas Carol and that's all I can think of at the moment

heard a song from Piazza that a friend had for a callback and it was beautiful

Posted: 2/28/05 at 3:15pm

I have no idea how they compare to each other but ive been wondering if i should get the novella or see the show first.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/28/05 at 3:24pm

I read the book a while back and loved it. Have yet to see the show or hear the music. It sucks that they revealed the secret in the Times yesterdat.

Posted: 2/28/05 at 3:36pm

a few things ive seen revealed the "secret" unfortunately. I guess they figure people would have heard it by now with it having out of town mountings...

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/28/05 at 4:18pm

I know, but still. If I hadn't read the book, I wouldn't want to know the secret going in.

[boatsintheghetto]

Posted: 2/28/05 at 4:47pm

What is the show about?

Haha i ask that a lot, but ive always loved musicals but i didnt really get really really really into it until like 2 years ago and then i didnt know of a place to go to find out more information...so im abit behind on stuff.

[joniray]

Posted: 2/28/05 at 5:00pm

Switz, you list "Myths and Hymns" and "Saturn Returns" as separate works, but they are different names for the same piece. Most of the music on the CD titled "Myths and Hymns" was performed as a song-cycle at the Public under the name "Saturn Returns."

Posted: 2/28/05 at 5:02pm

Generally speaking its about a mother and daughter who visit Italy, and they meet a boy and his father. The kids fall in love, the parents, especially the mother, dont want this to happen.