Light in the Piazza on PBS Tonight! — Page 11

Oh, I also ment to mention the brillant directing. I loved how Sher staged the show. With the sets and the stunning lighting, Italy really came alive. I loved how he had people in the background just going on with their everyday lives. I loved the realism. I liked what he did with the songs and the intimate scenes. I felt like the actors had true direction instead of just "do what you feel the character would do." My question though - no one answered it earlier - where do the actors go when they exit downstage? Into the orchestra or out through the audience and to the lobby? That's a really cool theater.

I think the lyrics fit. Beauty Is is a very spastic type song which is the way Clara thinks. Same with Piazza - somewhat.

Maybe Jennifer Hope Willis couldn't "act" the role. Sure she can sing it - she's in Phantom - but maybe she didn't act as convincingly as Katie?

RentBoy, thanks for bringing up the point about the directing. Exactly what I thought about it.

Also, there are six entrances and exits. The stage is a thrust (3/4) and so there is audience on three sides of the stage. There are entrances/exits upstage (stage right and left), in the middle (SR and SL), and two which are in the middle of the audience. They don't really extend into the audience, they are steps that lead down from the stage and go down into the pit level, I would assume.

~Steven

Well, every show modifies when it goes on tour. So, yes, I'd imagine they'd rework all of the staging, etc.

~Steven

Good point Lizz.

Roninjoey - thanks for that. I understand it in some places, but in Statues and Stories the "Aahs" don't seem to work for me. It's just the ensemble members singing it, but I don't like the way it fits in with what the main characters are singing.

And I don't mean to knock Vicki's performance. It was great, but I just don't feel like it's this huge monumental role that everyone made it out to be. However, I thought she did so much with the role. I really liked how realistic she came across. Soemone said she's just playing herself, which they might think because she's acts with such ease. I loved the whole beginging of the show. When she's trying to get Katie away from Aaron. But I agree that the ending song should have been bigger. I'm not saying she needs to belt her head out, but the song should just have been more rememorable or just "more." There was something missing.

Ok, the show kind of turned into The Mentally Challenged Girl in the Piazza.

Katie's hands really became an issue for me, and I ended up really not liking Katie's performance. I think she, as we like to say, "played the obstacle". I wouldn't call her hands "nuanced" or necessarily indictive of good acting. I thought it was kind of self indulgent and, for me, it took a lot away from the performance, story, etc.

I think part of Clara's problem is that she is extremely sheltered, yes in part by her small disability, but mostly by Margaret. The story is as much about Margaret letting go, as Clara falling in love. The issue at hand is not Clara's disability, but Margaret's control. Of course, her disability is an issue, but not the HUGE one Katie's characterization made it out to be. Katie sounded fine, though.

Victoria LIVES that role. I guess she's not eligible for an Emmy?

The show looks gorgeous. It's beautifully directed for TV, very unabtrusive, letting the story shine through. Deeply moving. For all my criticisms of Katie, I still think the story was told gorgeously, and I'm only highlighting my reservations about Katie, but she in no way ruined the piece for me.

I'm so happy this show was preserved.

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First of all, Aaron Lazar was simply amazing. His voice, his movement, his acting-- all of it were fabulous. I especially loved him during "Aiutami" and "Love to Me." There were a few times I wanted him to back off the operatic punch-- which he clearly can do!-- but it's his choice and his voice, not mine. I really loved his performance.

Victoria Clark. Perfect. Her reprise of "The Beauty Is" and both "Dividing Day" and its preliminary scene? Gah. She's amazingly real and committed and I don't think anyone deserved the Tony more.

Katie just sounded young to me-- which I guess is appropriate? The only places I noticed any real clunkers were "Clara's Interlude" and the part of "Say It Somehow" that's stylistically similar. I like that she's a real girl, too. You couldn't bust her in half over your knee. She's 21, she'll develop more presence with more experience, I'd wager. I just wish that she moved her arms when she walked.

I teared up during the title number and dropped my remote at the end of "Let's Walk." Somehow, didn't expect the sexual tension from the recording-- but I usually skip that one.

I was worried I would be disappointed and think it was boring or pretentious because of all of the reviews I've heard that say the same things. I loved it. It was beautiful and moving. Glad to have it on the Tivo!

I agree -- "Let's Walk" was so subtly done by Clark and Sarandon that it might have been even stronger with camera close-ups than it is from the audience at the Vivian Beaumont. I was awed at the delicate interplay of emotions they brought to that scene.

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ARGH!! im so jealous... being in merry old england sometimes has disadvantages it seems! would anyone be kind enough to help out a brit in need coz i really really want a copy! PM me!

I really thought it was great. Was very impressed with Katie and Aaron's performance. I saw it two weeks ago with Jennifer Hughes and David Burnham playing those parts and I liked them better, but thats not to say Aaron and Katie were not good. Victoria gives a smashing performance as always And the lovely Sarah Berry and Patti Cohenhour shined!

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A huge thank you to the folks at PBS and Live from Lincoln Center for this telecast. A treat from beginning to end. I saw the show right after it opened last year and was so happy to revisit it last night. This is definitely a show that deepens and enriches on repeat viewings.

Victoria Clark was perfection. Katie Clarke was very convincing in the role - the singing was weak (the top has no bloom) but very admirable work for a 22 year old. (I couldn't help thinking during the show how perfect she would be for Elle Wood in "Legally Blonde"). Aaron Lazar made me swoon - how wonderful to hear those songs sung by a legit voice. The supporting cast is just perfect - Chris Sarandon is a major asset.

My only complaint was the conducting of Kim Grigsby - why was she in such an all-fire hurry? The tempi were distractingly fast and "Aiutami" almost derailed completely. Someone needs to give that woman a xanex with a percocet chaser.

I do want to give a shout out to the TV director, Kirk Browning - I thought he handled the camera shots beautifully. I had very few complaints with his choices (a close up of the end of "Dividing Day" would have been nice). At 85 years old the man is without peer in capturing live performances such as this - I hope he is remembered for this beautiful piece of work come Emmy time. I am just thrilled to have this recorded to watch again and again - it's going in the library right next to the NYCO "Night Music" and the MET's "Dialogues of the Carmelites" (both directed by Browning).

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Updated On: 6/16/06 at 08:43 AM

Ahhh! My VCR died just before "Let's Walk"! Can anyone help me? PM please!


Although I liked the original cast better, this was still an enjoyable show (what I saw of it, at least). I agree with what most people have said about Katie being weaker than Kelli vocally, but stronger in terms of an emotional and physical connection. I am undecided about Aaron--sometimes I liked his vocals, sometimes I didn't.

The one thing I didn't really like was the woman playing the docent (museum guide). Was it just me or did her accent seem really off, especially compared to the rest of the "Italian" cast?

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I hate this show, so boring. But the direction and recording of this show was fantastic. I wish this would have more often. Wouldn't it be cool if Fox aired Wicked live? Even if the show is terrible at least people outside the tri-state area can see a live show.