Munk revisits PIAZZA

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 12:45am

When I first saw this show in previews, I thought it was an uneven, confusing bore. It wasn't until I purchased the cast recording that I was really taken in by the deceptive simplicity of the story - and the alarming complexity of it's characters.

I thought the score was brilliant the first time I saw the show - that was never a question. What I didn't see last time were characters that I cared about. I failed to see why the story was being told, and who on earth would want to write a show based on a story so bland. I didn't care for any of the characters, and I thought most of the performances were all over the place.

It could have been that it was a bad night, and it could have been that the show wasn't yet solidified. Either is possible, but my hunch is that the show was exactly the same then as it was tonight. The change wasn't in the show, but inside of me.

Last April, I was a person very afraid of love - very dismissive of love. Very cynical about the entire possibility of two people connecting with each other on such a level that the world suddenly looks like a different place. Where although everything around you has remained the same, through your eyes, it will never again appear the same.

When love comes into your life, as I'm sure many of you know, everything is a little brighter. Everything is a little more significant, and you tend to have more confidence about your entire life. The only thing you need to know for sure is that the person that brought these feelings out in you will remain by your side indefinitely. Obviously, that doesn't happen often - and with me, is begining to look like it WON'T happen. This time. What I have learned through my experience is that although the people you love and share yourself with will undoubtedly change - and will absolutely come in and out of your life (sometimes at the most unexpected and inopportune moments,) the lessons you learn from them will remain inside you forever. Once you have felt an extreme love for another human being - you begin to love yourself - and you begin to see that there is beauty everywhere and in everything - and when watching a movie, or a show - you suddenly know how important love is to different characters. I find that since my experiences, I cry more often, I smile more often, I hurt more often, but I allow myself to LEARN more often. And maybe that's what love is all about...learning to grow, learning to allow things to be, and learning that it's okay to be afraid sometimes.

Tonight watching PIAZZA, I witnessed what I am quite certain is the most beautiful and exquisitely delicate piece of musical theatre that I am likely to see in my entire life - surely of what I have seen in my mere 20 years. The entire cast, from top to bottom, gives brilliant performances. Adam Guettel's absolutely brilliant, pristine score has the uncanny ability to send perpetual shivers down my spine and to form a constant lump in my throat. Individually and collectively, his songs put tears in my eyes.

And finally, I urge any of you that haven't seen this yet (is that possible?) to do so immediately. It leaves you feeling so pensive, so satisfied, and so unbelievably content with life absolutely nothing can take away from you.

Updated On: 11/2/05 at 12:45 AM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 12:59am

Thanks for the very honest review. Can't wait to see the tour.

[pab]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 1:03am

During my last trip to New York I saw a number of shows but this was the one that has stayed with me. It was by far the best of what I saw and was so far above the rest that it just seemed as if it was in another league. I'll be back in New York in a couple of weeks and I'm looking forward to seeing it again.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 2:03am

It is in another league - it's fitting that it's over 10 blocks away from all the other Broadway theatres.

[CaroleeFan]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 6:38am

It is in another league. I don't recall ever being transported the was I was when I saw Piazza. It's one of the few times I've felt truly enveloped by a musical and its world.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 6:57am

Munk, what a beautiful and eloquent review. Who knew you were just 20!! So glad you enjoyed the show the second time around. I've been seeing shows for 25+ years and LITP ranks as one of the most beautiful ones I have ever experienced. I'll be going back on 12/4 for Kelli's last performance.

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 7:20am

I have to see, when I saw it the first time, I saw all these great ingredients and they didn't add up to anything. I enjoyed it but was underwhelming. Seeing everyone's reviews on this board I felt the need to revisit it. And the second time, I have to say, emphasized, to me, all the reasons why the show didn't gel. I found it to be very uneven and I didn't find the characters all that compelling. There are some shows whose writers have really written characters that touch me (Caroline or change, Spelling Bee), but unfortunately this wasn't one of them.

[QueenS]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 8:38am

I, too, saw the show late in previews and found it lacking. I really liked parts of it and loved many of the performances.

Just having revisited it, it was a completely different show. Mostly because of the new cast members (and an understudy) that were superior to the original LC cast. This time, it was a beautiful jewel of a show.

Funny, how just a couple of cast changes can make so much of a difference.

[IssaMe]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 11:40am

Which understudy did you see?

Agreed - it just gets better and better with each viewing - and so do the performances...(although I thought it was brilliant even at the first preview).

The creative team did a fair amount of work on it during the previews. Updated On: 11/2/05 at 11:40 AM

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 11:54am

Munk, I was there last night, too. I hadn't seen LITP before and was so reluctant to go because I didn't want to experience this esoteric, "unentertaining" work that I envisioned LITP to be. I couldn't have been more wrong. I did break down and buy the cast recording a few months ago and gradually began to love the score and was intrigued to find out more about the story. The production couldn't have been any better. There wasn't an element I would have wanted to change. There are so many levels to the piece and to all of the characters that are portrayed in it. I particularly like the moments of humor that Victoria brings to the show and feel that her handling of these moments actually help keep this from being a dark and boring evening, otherwise. This production is truly a revelation and everyone (whether or not they end up LIKING it) should experience it.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 11:54am

I know you weren't referring to me when you asked about understudies, but this was the first time I've seen the show since Matthew Morrisson left - and his replacement is fantastic- probably better than Matt.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 12:00pm

There were no understudies on last night. And, yes, the replacement for Matt Morrison is AMAZING! I never saw Matthew, but vocally, Aaron Lazar is better. His Italian seems to be more authentic, too.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 12:03pm

Munk,

That was about so much more than PIAZZA. And it was beautiful.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

(And, yes, PIAZZA is breathtaking. A true gift for those of us who have been able to see it.)

[sanda]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 12:50pm

What a beautiful review! Thank you for sharing your deepest feeling with us.

[broadway betty]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 1:17pm

That was beautiful, Munk. This is a perfect example of why you should always give a show a second chance if you can.

I don't need to go into how much I adore this show, most of you know that. I miss Piazza and want to go again to see Kelli before she leaves and finally see Aaron Lazar.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 1:25pm

One thing I can say about Aaron is that he DOESN'T feel like a replacement. Actors who originate the roles in shows have the luxury of so much character development that's part of the process of bringing a new work to Broadway that the replacements never get. Therefore, I've always felt that many replacements (no matter how talented they are) have difficulty being completely believable as the character because they are spending a lot of time during performances finding out who they are. Both the chemistry that Aaron had with the entire cast and the heartfelt emotion he displayed made it seem like he had originated the role.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 1:32pm

The stakes weren't high enough with Matthew - I didn't see how urgent it was that he spend the rest of his live with Clara.

With Aaron, it was more than apparant. Plus, Aaron looks Italian - and that always helps.

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 2:27pm

Oh, that was just a lovely review, munk. And as Addy said, it was so much more than Piazza, but that your appreciation of Piazza has deepened so much more speaks of the inherent power of it all.

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 2:31pm

I am planning on seeing it when I am there the week of the 14th. I chose DRS instead of Piazza at TKTS when I was there in May. Wish I had seen Piazza instead.

[Taryn]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 3:09pm

I'm so thrilled to be able to see this show in December. When I graduated high school, my "second mother" of sorts said, "I want to get you two tickets to a show." At the time, Piazza hadn't extended--until the next day. I was so ecstatic to be able to tell her that's what I wanted to see.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 4:30pm

I'm glad that you're going to get to see it - you'll love it.

[AugustusGloop]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 4:58pm

Very well said. The beauty of PIAZZA is that you walk away feeling that life is full of promise. I remember leaving the theatre with tears in my eyes, a smile on my face, and a song in my heart. For anyone who has ever been in love, this is a must see.

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 5:12pm

Munk, you're post is beautiful, and reminded me of the wonderful feeling I had when I left the theatre. I was crying non-stop for the last 15 minutes of the show, and managed to stop for the curtain call. I stepped outside and burst in to tears again; the show struck a chord with me, and left me feeling hopeful and priviliged to feel/be in love. I love how the show connects with so many people on so many levels. A truly wonderful piece of theatre.

Mary P x

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 5:14pm

Practically Perfect, I experienced the same thing. I remember calling a fellow BWW member after the show, but had to hang up because I was too emotional trying to recall what I had just experienced.