Munk's THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA review- Page 2

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 4:46pm

Yes, but a show's success can't be based on whether or not one has read the original piece. If the show were well crafted and sincere, you wouldn't have to read anything to understand the entire plot.

I'm not trying to be mean, because I think the cast is sensational (especially Matthew) but I think this show will get ripped apart by critics and not be the blooming piece of artwork some on here are saying it is. Not to say I'm right and you're wrong, I'm just making a guess.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 4:55pm

I also found this show to be dreadfully boring. I just never posted about it, because everyone was raving about it, and I thought I mut have missed some bit of genius.

The score was dull and sleep-inducing. Do we really need all that "aahh"-ing? And I totally agree about that song Sarah Uriarte Berry's character sings to Clara. It was such an awkward moment, and so out of place.

There's just not enough plot to fill a two and a half show. The "secret" is so miniscule, that when we find out what it is, it's practically laughable. The way they built it up in Act I, I was expecting the audience to audibly gasp when we heard what it was. Not so, because when you find out what it is, you're kind of like, "Oh."

I thought the cast was pretty solid. Clark was very good, but like you, I didn't leave the show ready to hand her the Tony. I enjoyed Kelli O'Hara a good deal more actually, and hope she gets a nomination. Matthew Morrison was miscast, and the talented Michael Berresse and Sarah Uriarte Berry don't have enough to do.

I probably would have enjoyed this show more had they not felt the need to stretch it out to two and a half hours. It would have been fine if done as a 90 minute intermissionless chamber musical.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:12pm

demitri,

I considered that too. And I considered whether or not I personally believed Clara had a disability. Its difficult to say whether or not it would be noticed:

-theres the language barrier of course so all theyre having are simple conversations. i think when ive tried to have conversations with people who speak mostly spanish and i speak english/italian, we're both sounding off to begin with whether or not we're intelligent. what fabrizio is drawn to is her simple view of the world so the effects of her disability (protective situation) that he is noticing, he likes.

-she was hurt at 12, and thats a strange age, I can give you a line of ten different kids that age and theyd all be at different stages of maturity. Dontcha think? At 12, id already had 3 surgeries and could do my brothers homework (hes 6 yrs older than me). Yes, I was a smart kid-- no one suggests Clara was dumb before the accident, only that she wont develop fully.

-theres also the idea going on in the show that she seems to have grown. chronoligcally shes 26 but in her mothers eyes, by the end of the show, she says she seems very much the same age a fabrizio, who is 20. the doctors assessment of her situation is brought into question within the show because she does seem older now. Margarets conversation with Fabrizio's father at the end of the show mentions her illness in past tense.

Personally, I think its a much more interesting debate to ask whether or not he & his family should be TOLD, as opposed whether or not they shouldve noticed... is it really fair to say "shes as healthy as she seems" and will Clara ever understand her own situation?

Updated On: 4/10/05 at 05:12 PM

[TGIF]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:13pm

"The "secret" is so miniscule, that when we find out what it is, it's practically laughable. The way they built it up in Act I, I was expecting the audience to audibly gasp when we heard what it was. Not so, because when you find out what it is, you're kind of like, "Oh." "

Like Mistress said previously, the show is more about the relationship between the mother and the daughter rather than the daughters "problem." Margaret has taken care of Clara for so long, being overprotective, and constantly worrying about what *might* happen. She has given Clara no room to grow.

Margaret is in a failed marriage and by putting all her time and energey into taking care of Clara, she doesn't have to deal with that fact.

You saw building suspense and a let down. I saw it differently. Maragret was so preoccupied with sheltering/protecting Clara that she had made the problem bigger than it really was. We are reacting to how Margaret portrays Clara. When we find out what *IS* wrong with her (at least the way I see it) we are supposed to go "Oh, thats all?" Of course we feel terrible for Clara and her accident, but we know, as does Fabrizio and his family, that this "problem" is all that Clara is, but just a small part of her - something that can be overcome.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:17pm

And the Tony goes too...the enthusiastically gifted SUTTON FOSTER! She at least made her ho-hum show enjoyable, can't say the same for Clark!

[TGIF]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:19pm

mef, I am thinking about picking up the Elizabeth Spencer's novella. Is it a good read?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:21pm

adam, i mustve already hit reply and started writing before you posted, I think "thats all?" is the exact appropriate response to this secret. i mean, it should also change your view on certain things that have gone on in the show, but you should mostly think-- wow woman youre hung up on that? get over it already.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:21pm

I really don't think Sutton is going to Donna Murphy it and win two Tonys so close to each other. Pretty much all of her buzz died when the show opened and she didn't get the universal raves that everybody expected her to receive.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:22pm

TGIF---

Yes, it's wonderful. I'm thinking of teaching it next year as part of my "short fiction" unit.

[PJ]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:24pm

You don't necessarily have to receive across the board raves to take home the Tony.

[TGIF]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:25pm

Thanks! Short Fiction? How long is it?

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:25pm

"You don't necessarily have to receive across the board raves to take home the Tony."

True, but it sure does help.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:26pm

It's a bit over 100 pages. I'd qualify that as short fiction.

[PJ]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:28pm

Yes, it definitely helps. But it's not a prerequisite.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:29pm

I would say at this point that even Christina Appelgate has a better shot of winning over Clark.

[TGIF]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:29pm

Yes, not long at all. I figured it was between 300-400.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:32pm

"I would say at this point that even Christina Appelgate has a better shot of winning over Clark."

Munk, you know how much I like you, but I really think that you've gone crazy now!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:32pm

No, that's why they say it's based on her "novella." If it were 300-400 pages, perhaps a 2.5 hour musical would be called for.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:35pm

i would like to think that past history of winning or even being nominated will have no bearing on who wins the tony, but I havent seen Little Women (nor Christina in Sweet Charity) so I have no guess as to who will win. Even those with the strongest convictions have been wrong when it comes to guessing tony wins or even critics reactions. :)

[TGIF]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:36pm

I know I will probably sound stupid, but I've done that enough in my life that once more won't make a difference. What is the difference between a novella and a novel?

[shira467]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:37pm

"I would say at this point that even Christina Appelgate has a better shot of winning over Clark."

Oh god, bad visual of Applegate holding a Tony.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:37pm

A novella is longer than a short story, but shorter than a novel.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:37pm

Just size.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:38pm

Applegate will hold a Tony the day Tara Reid holds an Oscar.

[TGIF]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:39pm

Thanks mef and munk.

I read one this semester, but it written by and about a spanish woman. I figured it was the spanish term for it. Oh well! Won't do that again