Light in the Piazza Reviews- Page 9

[Chip1012]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:27pm

I'm on the side that belives Vicki and Margaret is one of the best marriages between an actor and a role I've ever seen (probably second only to Tonya Pinkins and Caroline).

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:29pm

Agreed, Chip. We've grown accustomed to roles which require too much happening around them in order to be considered good (or, rather, to consider the show good).
And, while I'm fully prepared to believe (truly, as I do love her big and small-screen work; hell, I watched Jesse!) in Christina, I do not think she will be anything more than winning.

***Edit***
Sorry, I hit enter before I feel as if I completed the thought.
I think I'm predisposed towards a role like this because they're so rarely seen in musicals. Theatre gets them all the time (these conflicted, REAL people...see Doubt, see The Pillowman) who, in the middle of often very unreal circumstances, change before our eyes.
Elphaba didn't do that. Caroline did. Charity doesn't do that. Margaret does.

And, while I want more than anything for there to be a break from last year, I would not doubt that it's going to happen here again.
Updated On: 4/25/05 at 05:29 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:33pm

As I've said before, I think Clark is giving one of the most subtle, nuanced, finely-shaped and shaded performances I've ever seen from a musical theatre actor. Pure genius.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:34pm

Unreal circumstances? The circumstances in PIAZZA aren't exactly unreal. Change before our eyes? I'm sorry, I didn't see anything even half as brilliant as what you're describing. The Tony Award is for best performance - with I truly think is given by Applegate. Not most comfusing character, not most serious - it's the performer. I really don't think you have a point.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:38pm

I agree with Margo. I would say that in the last 5 years of Broadway, I have only seen 5 truly memorable female leading performances:

Audra McDonald's Marie Christine
Toni Collette's Queenie
Tonya Pinkins' Caroline Thibedeaux
Bernadette Peters' Momma Rose
Victoria Clark's Margaret Johnson

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:39pm

Is something wrong with me? Mef, I agree with all of your choices except for Victoria Clark. I don't know why I don't see it.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:40pm

Well, Munk, that's where we disagree. I certainly see a remarkable performance on that stage. That you don't is your loss.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:41pm

Fine, but don't make me feel like degenerate theatre goer because of it.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:41pm

I agree about Queenie, too, Mef. Although I did not see Marie Christine and was underwhelmed by the recording, I don't doubt Audra turned in a nuanced, fine performance.
Colette as Queenie was the stuff new musical stars are made of.

***Edit***
Oh, and Munk, that's attaching your own meaning to what I just said. Nowhere did I call you a degenerate theatregoer. Defensive much? Updated On: 4/25/05 at 05:41 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:44pm

I didn't say you called me one, I said you shouldn't make me feel like one. That doesn't imply that you actually did call me that, or even did make me feel that way.

What's with you today? Moody?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 5:47pm

I like your list MEF, but for me, I'd substitute Stritch for Peters.

And I'd like to find a way to cram Reba McIntyre in there somewhere.

Updated On: 4/25/05 at 05:47 PM

[midtowngym]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 6:05pm

Sorry Munk--you're outnumbered. Victoria's work is sublime, brillant. It makes a shaky vehicle FLY (and i ain't talking the Chitty car.)

Updated On: 4/25/05 at 06:05 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 6:57pm

Outnumbered in one thread. That doesn't make me wrong. After all, it's just an opinion. Clark's performance ISN'T anything. It's somethign to you, it's somethign to me. It's not definitely SOMETHING set in stone....

[sparky310]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 2:21pm

I agree that this is the most complex female role in musical theatre..even mama rose isnt as rich and complex...the conflicts and the risks for this woman are frankly higher...victoria clark is brilliant and should win every award in sight..she is charming, warm, funny, sarcastic caring loving and more...everyone should put this at the top of their list..

[sparky310]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 8:26am

true it doesnt make anyone right or wrong, but take a moment and think about what you saw..think about the frame of mind you were in when you saw the show..it might impact your perception considerably. as i rarely agree with popular opinion this show moved me..and that isnt an easy task

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 8:31am

Sparky, I think the general thing you can chalk this up to (re: the disagreement about the impact of Clark as Margaret) is that, like everything else, it's different strokes for different folks.
Although, I'm very optimistic that this year won't be a Tonya/Idina fiasco at the Tonys.

[sparky310]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:08pm

absolutely agree ...its all a matter of taste..i just get put off by the overstatments made...and some people on this website forget that this is not a boxing match and start making it personal..i personally welcome all opinions and critiqes i would just hope others would just calm down...just a smidge

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 2:20pm

What?!?! Yo mama!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 3:28pm

Margo - Your comments about Clark were EXACTLY how I felt when I saw her in Piazza at the Goodman a year ago. I'm just wondering if those who didn't pick up on the subtlety and nuance of her performance were simply sitting too far away. It's what I feared would happen at the Vivian Beaumont.

bwaysinger - Audra did indeed deliver a powerful performance in Marie Christine. I agree with MEF that it was one of the most memorable performances I'd ever witnessed in musical theatre. I really loved Marie Christine, but it just doesn't translate well to CD. The final chorus was the most chilling finale of a musical I'd ever seen.

Unfortunately, I never got the chance to see Collette in Wild Party, but I think the recording is outstanding. That show is at the top of my list to see at the Lincoln Center Library on my next visit. I also didn't see Bernadette in Gypsy, but I really wasn't too interested. So I would add nancy Opel in Urinetown. Though not a dramatic role, her vocals, characterization and comedic timing were impeccable. Definitely one of the most memorable performances I've seen in the last 5 years, even if it was featured and not a lead.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 4:39pm

Besides Clark's incredible moving performance in 'Light...', I felt that it was up there with Pinkins' earth-changing performance (for me, her performance is THE performance I have ever been blessed with the chance to see) in 'Caroline, or Change' although not as life-changing and touching because of the material Clark had to work with.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 4:42pm

I only find Clark's performance special in a way Pinkins' was not because Margaret is a better-written role. And Clark's subtlety in playing a LOT of varying emotions is really evident. To me, anyway.
That said, I will continue, until the day comes where I see a better, to say that Tonya PInkins as Caroline is as definitive a performance as the pinnacle achievements of Broadway's best leading ladies and one I highly doubt to see bettered, Tony loss or not.