Laura Griffith walks into "The Light..." — Page 5

"...but Red's (and others) flowery posts about how absolutely marvelous the show is and how it has changed his life is bordering on obnoxious."

"Let it die if no one has anything interesting or important to add to the gooey and syrupy nonsense already posted ad nauseum."

Ooookay. I want to be as clear as I can here, so let me say that my remarks are directed toward bwayfan215 and not Finding Namo. Namo has a valid point, and I don't think he's being negative. Its true that there is a sort of "afterglow" effect here. I'm sure that many of us have had the experience of playing a cast recording over and over when we first got it, and within a few months to a year, it becomes simply another enjoyable part of our collection and not the superstar recording it once was. I know I have. So yeah, its possible that by next year I won't feel quite as moved by Piazza. We tend to get desensitized to something through repeated exposure. I just want to acknowledge that point, because I'm sensing that the perception is that Piazza is going to become the new "Wicked" (Gosh, its just the BEST...SHOW...EVER!!!) [Note, I'm not a "Wicked" basher, either, I personally like the show, but it, or rather its diehard fans, have certainly garnered a reputation here.]

That said, my next comments are for you, bwayfan215. This is not a flame. I don't know you, have no reason to dislike you, and mean this as a respectful disagreement. I'm trying to understand your position, and I actually think that I *do*, but I just find the manner in which you assert it to be unnecessarily harsh. You've directed your comments to Red "(and others)", and since I've certainly contributed my thoughts to the thread, I am taking this to include myself as well. To be honest, I find referring to our posts as "gooey and syrupy nonsense already posted ad nauseum" to be a bit on the offensive side. Perhaps it came off more harshly than you intended? I don't know. I just find it odd that you would phrase it that way in a post that claims to show how *we* are being "obnoxious". I mean...don't you think phrasing it that way is perhaps a tad obnoxious as well?

I actually believe that at the core of your post *is* a valid point. If I understand you correctly, one your gripes is the bumping of the thread with no new actual content (only the word "bump"), and I can understand how that might bother some people. I just think that your point could have been made in a way that wasn't insulting.

I'm just sayin'. (shrugs)

As long as Red has already bumped this back to the top of the posts, I will respond. Perhaps my use of the word "obnoxious" was obnoxious - I was in a foul mood yesterday. By the center of my posts stands - bumping for no reason with nothing of value to add to a thread is annoying. Additionally the constant protestations that make PIAZZA seem like the second coming of the messiah is, well, obnoxious AND sickening when repeated over and over and over by the same posters who apparently like to "see" themselves talk.

Updated On: 6/17/05 at 08:47 AM

Please Joeyjoe, read the posts - here is just one example:

"Now I know why I came to New York, again. Seeing The Light in The Piazza, meeting it's performers, and reveling in Adam Guettel and Craig Lucas's life-altering piece of Theatre ranks right up there with sharing my life with joeyjoe, enjoying my new Neice's second birthday, watching a Florida sunset (one of God's finest productions!)...and Knowing that we are all here for a Reason.
Thank you, Lincoln Center, Victoria Clark, Mr. Guettel and Lucas, and the extraordinary cast of The Light in The Piazza. You've re-invigorated my love of the performing arts."

You obviously have some relationship with Red - I respect you for sticking up for your man. Just proves the old phrase that love is blind.

Updated On: 6/17/05 at 09:43 AM

Semantics fixed.

I'm sure that in a years time, this will be another VERY treasured recording on my shelf, and I will be listening to something else, and appreciating all the theatre surrounding me, and will look back fondly on this production and my fortune of having seen it.

However, right now, before I turn 20, this was the most thought and heart provoking piece of theatre I've ever been fortunate enough to experience. At this point in my life, I see plenty of shows. I think they're funny or sad, or just ARE, but I don't laugh, cry, or truly involve myself in the shows. "The Light In The Piazza" has to be the first show I've seen where I've cried, laughed, and felt the pain, happiness, desperation, vulnerability and even elation of the characters.

Therefore, I only hope that by having people see this thread, they can have the experience that I did.

Second coming? Nah. But I hope to God that I can one day feel as much in real life as I did in that theater.

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Sueleen, it's not that I have never experienced those feelings. But as I've gotten older, I've kind of forgotten to feel, to let myself be open to feeling. And this musical brought the emotions to life again.

Oh, and I am getting help.

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Sigh...

Yes, it *does* seem like the Piazza backlash has begun, Ourtime. And I think perhaps we might all agree that the bumping without comment should cease?

bwayfan215, I guess I don't know what to say to you. You respond to say that perhaps your use of the word "obnoxious" was maybe a bit obnoxious, but you were in a foul mood that day. Fair enough. Totally. I mean, I think we've all had days like that. But then you go on to say:

"the constant protestations that make PIAZZA seem like the second coming of the messiah is, well, obnoxious AND sickening when repeated over and over and over by the same posters who apparently like to "see" themselves talk."

So you've called us obnoxious a SECOND time, and added "sickening" to boot. Nice. And I have to agree with joeyjoe in that your claim that views are being "forced down your throat" is inaccurate to say the very least. You have to sit down at your computer, log on to the message board, find the thread, click on it, and sit there *reading* these views before you can reply. That's an awful lot of work on your part to turn around and claim something was forced on you.

It doesn't matter, though. I'm not going to fight or argue or engage in anything otherwise unpleasant. Its just sad. I joined this board in January of 2004, but rarely post, and this is why. If a thread bothers me, I may feel free to comment *respectfully* on it initially , but I won't keep returning to it over and over again to insult people who I may disagree with, particularly those who haven't gone out of their way to insult *me*. I just let it go and move on. Plenty of other threads to click on.

Speaking of which, as far as this particular debate goes, I think I'm going to take my own advice. Stick a fork in me, 'cause I'm alllllll done.

(hops off soapbox, and yes, unapologetically turns on Piazza)

Updated On: 6/17/05 at 03:51 PM

I'll chime in. Robbiej, I wasn't left emotionally cold with this production.


I was pissed I paid full price for the tickets!

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yikes people take a deep breath. I would hope that no one intends to come off as obnoxious in loving nor hating this show.

bwayfan215, people may or may not be exaggerating on the effect of the show, sometimes things just sound better in our heads than they read to someone else when put on paper but Im sure youll allow that people do see shows having been deeply moved and wanting to experience the things the characters go through.