I have seen 'The Light'!

[pattifan2]

Posted: 9/17/05 at 5:34pm

Sorry to start yet ANOTHER thread on 'The Light In The Piazza' but I'd previously stuck to making comments only on the OBCR having not seen the show. Well, I put that right last Sunday. Looking at the Board, it seems enough people are happy to go on writing about this show that another thread wouldn't matter. I know that everything that could be said about 'Piazza' has possibly already been said, so I thought I'd concentrate on what were the surprises for me - the things I hadn't realised just by listening to the recording.

I think what amazed me most was just how funny the show is. Obviously that doesn't quite come across on the recording as much of the humour comes from the language barrier and Margaret's wonderful asides. I was blown away by this mature, witty and gorgeous show from the first moment - the leaves blowing across the piazza and Victoria Clark's entrance in that stunning outfit. I loved that the hat was onstage from the outset and I only wish the section of music where the wind carries it into the air and Fabrizio introduces himself after catching it was included in the recording - just beautiful.

I lost it a number of times during the afternoon - one of the first was during 'The Beauty Is' when Clara sings 'This is wanting something...'etc, and holds her hands out to copy the pose of the angel in the painting. Another time was the scene in the hotel room just before 'Say It Somehow' and Clara tells Fabrizio that whatever he says, no matter how he says it, she always understands what he is saying. The other really BIG unsung moment for me is the dialogue right before 'Fable' when Clara tells Margaret that she cannot leave her and Margaret simply says 'Yes you can'....the whole show for me had built to that exact moment. That was the big wreck moment and I apologise once again to the very special friend who was brave enough to go along with this big sap.

As if that wasn't enough, there was Victoria Clark's lovely curtain speech about the departure of the Stage Manager and Mark Harelik. The whole cast were obviously really upset and I thought Clark did particularly well to make such a fine speech and actually keep it together in those circumstances.

My only regret about the afternoon is that I was unable to walk straight back into the Vivian Beaumont and sit through the show again. Possibly the most romantic show I've seen - just wonderful.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 9/17/05 at 5:37pm

I am still kicking myslef for ot having seen it when I was there. With any luck it will extend it's run again to the summer and I can see it then.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 9/17/05 at 7:29pm

There is a rumor it will extend for another 3 months past the end of March.

Posted: 9/18/05 at 12:12am

Please don't start rumors just yet... they just recently announced March! [which I do hope they extend again, by the way]

Regardless, welcome newcomer enLIGHTist! We are so extremely glad you enjoyed and loved the musical!
--korenglish

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 12:57am

Thank you for sharing your insights. I am gearing up for a marathon (3 performances) near the end of October and can't wait to get to the city.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 4:38pm

Hey pattifan, who was the special friend you went with? He sounds charming

[pattifan2]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 5:20pm

He IS very charming.....he knows all the best places (dessert cocktails at 'Vintage' for example)and to show my gratitude, I bought him lunch (okay, I HAD to do that to make up for my customary lateness) and he ate his own body weight in carbs.....

Hey, Popcultureboy, do you know him too?

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 5:25pm

He does sound familiar.

[Glebb]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 5:33pm

Thanks pattifan. While reading your post I felt the magic, the beauty again.

[pattifan2]

Posted: 9/18/05 at 5:47pm

Glad it brought back memories.....Reading some of the other posts (and threads) I was so pleased to have at last seen this. I play this recording every day and yet the actual show surpassed my expectations. I also loved the moment when Margaret was trying to tell Signor Naccarelli about Clara's 'condition' and she was fighting to get the words out....and she could just manage 'Clara is......special.' OMG, so moving. Also, although the wonderful Michael Berresse is underused, nobody could do so very little as beautifully as he does.