Light in the Piazza on PBS Tonight!- Page 12

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 10:06am

I think Wicked is one of the few shows that doesn't need the exposure. But I agree with the sentiment - they should do it more often.

[morosco]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 10:07am

"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?"

Ha! When I started to read your post (hate this show, so boring) I sensed that you'd be a WICKED fan.

[mabel]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 10:36am

I loved Piazza when I saw it last year with the original cast, but I wasn't really taken with the Live from Lincoln Center last night. I watched a half hour or so of it, then moved on to something else. It's a shame they couldn't have finangled Kelli O'Hara in there somehow, because Katie Clarke just didn't do it for me...and on screen, Victoria came off just as nutty as poor Clara (with all of her mannered gesticulation, etc).

It's a shame, because I was really looking forward to this, but perhaps this is why more shows aren't recorded in this way. They just don't translate. Granted, I didn't watch the whole thing, and maybe if I'd stuck it out, it would have evened out for me, but from what I saw...eh.

[WickedRentEder]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 10:58am

Well considering that Victoria DIDN'T play Clara, I'd say pay closer attention next time! :)

Seriously, I'm a Wicked fan too, but I thought Piazza to be very enjoyable! I have become a Victoria Clark fan! I thought she was amazing and her voice was excellent! She really blew me away! Although Fabrizio did quite well, or should I say Aaron Lazar, he wasn't my type of eye candy. I thought Fabrizio & Clara were a cute couple and Katie Clarke did well. Her acting was quite good but I still would've preferred Kelli O'Hara.

Patti Cohenour was excellent as always and I couldn't get out of my head that "Mr. Johnson" (Beau Gravitte) played a nutty sexual predator on SVU. I kept saying "that's Roy Barnett!". What's with him playing "Roy" again? LOL!

Great show, simple staging (yet quite impressive) and great music. I'm getting myself the CD!

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 10:58am

I now understand this show's widespread appeal. I always thought the music was beautiful, and very original. Guettel is a budding genius.

But WHY did this show catch on with theatre-goers? No fancy FX, no cherry-picker... no "pop anthems" for tweeners to sing in the shower, no kick-ass rock songs ripe for remixing... so why? It's an "adult" musical, with an unapologetic romantic momentum behind it.

As I was crying (yes, I admit it) through the last 20 minutes of the PBS broadcast... I started to understand the "why," at least for me... and perhaps it is the reason for others as well...

I identify with Margaret and Clara, far more than I ever thought I would. They are nothing like me as people. We don't share the same backgrounds, the same eras, or the same gender. So how could I relate so fundamentally to them?

With Clara: There are times, over these years, when I had thought I might not be capable of loving someone that way... that completely. To be that committed. In a way, I thought of myself as "handicapped." I wasn't sure I was "normal" enough to have that kind of love, and to give that kind of love. There was something in me that wasn't good enough, or sturdy enough.

With Margaret: She is the "responsible" voice in my head, that ultimately gives in to reason. When she sang "Love if you can then, my Clara!" I was bawling. No joke. She was the voice in my own head and heart telling me it's okay to do it. Even if you think you aren't capable, you can take the risk, and the leap of faith... and give it a shot. No guarantees. But at least, you should try.

I've been with my partner now for 10 years (this month!). This show reminded me of what it was like to fall in love, and to take that leap of faith and commitment.

I believe this is why "The Light in the Piazza" has enjoyed a popularity beyond the expectations of so many.

And then... there's that beautiful music... to remind us.

[LorelaiGilmore]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 11:03am

I'm not sure if this is a good place to post this, but could anyone who thinks they know a good amount about Piazza and it's "followers"/who would enjoy it PM me?

[LostLeander]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 11:05am

Anyone else need a Kleenex?

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 11:10am

I am not a Wicked fan by the by.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 11:10am

The "hat" moment and "Love to Me" both get me each and every time!!

My boss thanked me profusely this morning that I let her know it was going to be on. She said it was one of the best things she has seen. I told her it was even better in the theatre.

Best12, to answer your question. It was the sheer beauty of the piece, that got me. The sets, music, costumes, performances. After seeing it for the very first time almost a year ago, I was so choked up by the end, I couldn't speak about it. It was such an amazingly beautiful experience. The moment with the hat, gives me chills (even thinking about it). It's just so romantic. I am going to the final performance (which will be the 5th time for me), and each time I have seen it, it has effected me in the same way.

Updated On: 6/16/06 at 11:10 AM

[LoveDemBroadwayShows2]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 11:11am

Does anyone know if the broadcast was in High Definition in your city? I am in Kansas City and our local PBS affiliate delayed the broadcast until 9:00 pm. It wasn't in HD and wasn't even broadcasts on the station's HD channel. They have 4 PBS channels (1401-1404) during the day and 2 at night. During the day, all 4 are digital but not HD; at night 1401 is digital and 1402 is HD. They showed it on 1401, the digital channel!

[Barihunk]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 11:13am

Best12bars - Beautifully said.

[sanda]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 11:15am

best12bars,

that's a beautiful writing. You spoke what I want to say. I am "normal", however, it is still frightening for me to take the risk to love. It's not about whether you are "normal" or not to love. It's about, deep down inside your heart, whether you are warm enough, genuine enough, kind enough to love or not. I have seen people, smart people, beautiful people, who can not love. I admit I am still hesitating as well. Thus this show touches me. I am not saying because of this show, I suddenly understand all the truth of love. But it touches me and that's enough.

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 11:20am

My boss and I also share our love of Piazza. I made her go and she hasn't stopped thanking me. Now if I could persuade her to promote me.
We spent about an hour this morning discussing the broadcast. I saw this cast as well as the original. She did not see the original cast, but has seen the last two. We agree that Victoria is just perfection -- every nuance is brillance.
She will also be in the audience for the last show Dottie -- Redhead, fourth row.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 11:36am

SOMMS, my boss stopped by my desk this morning to discuss the broadcast as well!! She got excited when I showed the souvenir program to her. She asked me if all the performers were the originals and I explained to her who was new, etc.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 11:39am

"Ha! When I started to read your post (hate this show, so boring) I sensed that you'd be a WICKED fan.".

And a "Lestat" fan!

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 11:40am

And a RENT fan; who wants to guess?

LostLeander: See, that's the thing. Clara IS that mentally challenged. In the book, Margaret tried to enroll her in a normal school and it ended in disaster. The musical does try to make it seem though that she was more sheltered than anything, which I like. The book is like "If you have a mentally challenged daughter, take her to Italy! She'll fit right in!" The musical handles the whole mental issue so much better than the book does. I think that's why I prefer the musical, even though the book has some gorgeous writing (though no more gorgeous than Guettel's score!)

Updated On: 6/16/06 at 11:40 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 11:43am

This is such a great example of the "positive aspects" and power of TV.

Broadcasting a Broadway show will never take the place of seeing it live... and in fact, I can't wait to see "Piazza" on stage now, when it comes to L.A. (very soon!). And that anticipation is accelerated now, because of last night's airing.

I'm sure it didn't get "Idol" ratings... but I dare say more people were introduced to this show last night than during its entire run at the Beaumont.

Updated On: 6/16/06 at 11:43 AM

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 11:54am

Sadly Best, I suspect that you are correct. It was a bit disconserting to see empty seats in the theater during last nights showing.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 11:56am

I noticed the empty seats but some of them seemed to be empty to accomodate the cameras.

[Tiny-Toon]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 12:17pm

Piazza papered the house like crazy last night. Usually, their mezz is empty and orchestra 80% full. Last week, they had 63.5% attn. and the week before - 46%.

Updated On: 6/16/06 at 12:17 PM

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 12:25pm

Gahhhh! That's so sad! I'd attend if I could... *sob* It's upsetting because my brother's going to grad school in NY, so I FINALLY might be able to get to NYC to see a show sometime... but it's closing before then! Sigh.

[mabel]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 12:26pm

WickedRentEder , I know Victoria didn't play Clara, if that was directed at me. I didn't reread my post, so I suppose it may have been poorly worded or whatever, but it was meant to be more of: a) I didn't care for Clara, b.) Victoria's gesticulations (ie: everytime she spoke to Fabrizio, trying to explain that they had someplace else to be running off to) it came off as bizarre and over the top on screen, rather than funny (as it does in in the theater, where the over-gesturing fit...on screen she came off as "touched" as Clara).

Edited to fix who I'd directed to post at...oops!

Updated On: 6/16/06 at 12:26 PM

[jasobres]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 12:42pm

Couldn't they at least have had subtitles for the Italian because I couldn't understand what the hell they were saying!

[WickedRentEder]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 12:43pm

It was the same when they filmed "Jekyll & Hyde". There were empty seats to accommodate the camera equipment. I know because I sat next to the camera man! Partially obstructed view but at least 4 empty seats per camera so I could put my purse & coat :)

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/16/06 at 12:44pm

jasobres: As has been explained a million times, they felt it was necessary to make us, too, feel like we were in a foreign land. Also, the language barriers are important throughout the show.