Piazza in Hershey

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/3/07 at 8:50pm

Since the Philadelphia leg of the tour had been cancelled, I decided to rent a car in DC and drive 2 hours to Hershey, PA to see The Light in the Piazza.

First off, The Hershey Theatre is absolutely gorgeous!!

There have been a number of changes in the cast since I saw the tour in January in DC. Adam Overett was on as Fabrizio for David Burnham who is off this week. Adam was wonderful. One would never know from the performance I saw that he was the understudy. What a voice on him. His acting was just as good. He had great chemistry with Elena Shaddow who I absolutely adore as Clara.

Christine Andreas was even better this time around than what I had seen in DC. There is definitely a bond between her and Elena and it shows. Again, Christine gives quite a different performance than Vicki's; each of which brought their own strengths and interpretation to the role of Margaret.

Wendi Bergamini as Franca was fine, but I do think I preferred Laura Griffiths just a bit more. She has a beautiful voice and her acting was fine. There just seemed like there was something amiss with her wig (more frizz than curl).

Evangelia Kingsley was not as timid as the other Signora Naccarelli's that I have seen. She was definitely very forceful in "Aiutami".

A friend of mine from Pennsylvania met me up there and she thoroughly enjoyed the show as well.

This is the seventh time I've seen this show (5x Broadway, 2x tour). The scene where Fabrizio and Clara meet for the first time still gets to me. "Love to Me" still brings tears to my eyes. It has to be one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard out of the many shows I have seen. Fable was beautifully acted and sung by Christine.

On a side note: I went to the Chocolate Tour which is quite different than the one I went to as a child. It is no longer held in the actual factory, but in a separate building. It's now a "fake" tour. In other words, no actual candy production takes place. It's a 10 minute amusement park type ride that shows mock production with pumped in chocolate fragance. Definitely not worth one's time. The free sample was a chocolate kiss. I definitely remember getting much more when I visited many, many years ago.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 3/3/07 at 10:09pm

Wasn't it fabulous!

I saw it in Pittsburgh last week and loved it!

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 3/3/07 at 10:13pm

Glad you had a good time.

And OT, I agree about the Hershey tour. I went last year, and was so dissapointed. It wasn't nearly as fun as when I was little. And I wanted to kill the singing cows.

[Pinky]

Posted: 3/3/07 at 10:17pm

As far as the Hershey tour...I live like 45 minutes away & went to Choclate world every year when I was growing up. I remember the old tour & receiving an actual size Hershey's bar. OH WELL!!!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/3/07 at 10:27pm

Regarding the singing cows, I couldn't get that "milk chocolate" song out of my head for at least an hour!!

[RuprechtJr.]

Posted: 3/3/07 at 10:30pm

Same here, Pinky...same here.

Anyway, I saw the show in Hershey and thought it was amazing. The only thing I was dissapointed with was "Clara's Interlude" not for the singing, but for that fact that Elena just jerkilly ran around back and forth. The stage was just too small for her to run around "properly." I got to speak to the conductor afterwards and he said that he was very shocked that the producers were "willing to shell out the money and keep the exact orchestrations as the Broadway ones." I was also happy to see a full-grand piano shoved in the pit, not a synth. It was funny, because it looked like there were percussion instruments overflowing onto the piano. Also, the harpist had a vibrant blue harp...kind of distracting and not very fitting with the show. I was expecting a grand Lyon & Healy golden harp. I'm too picky when it comes to pit, I guess. It's just that I've played in so many...now I'm sounding like an arrogant ass...It's late and I'll shut up now.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/3/07 at 10:39pm

The stage did seem rather small considering how large the overall house is. I noticed that the Franca u/s did not ride on the back of the bicycle at the end of "Passegiata".

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:19am

Ruprecht, I for one am glad they kept all of the musicians. In this age of reduced pit size and synthesizers, how refreshing that the integrity of the original piece was kept for the tour.

[JRybka]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 11:15am

Okay does anyone remember Christine Andreas in ANOTHER WORLD (on NBC?) I know that it is bizarre to mention this as I am totally OT but she played Taylor. I was like... god she looks familliar and then recently she sang to Charlene's baby and the lightblulb went off and I was like ... OH MY GOD! THAT'S CHRISTINE! (And for you weirdos like me.... Donna Murphy is in the soap too!)

[IssaMe]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 2:00pm

Stages differ in size so it is sometimes hard to find the perfect fit for a traveling show. In fact, upcoming next week in Columbus, the set had to be re-configured (i.e. cut down) for the stage there.

[Chrismas42]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 7:43pm

Hey Dottie!!!
Do you happen to remember what the U/S's name was... cause if it's the girl I'm thinking of that's really funny. She went to my high school and is a DIVA!!!! LOL.. She prolly refused to do it...lol

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 7:44pm

Leslie Henstock? A diva?!

[evadiva]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 8:53pm

I just got back from seeing the matinee of Piazza in Hershey as well. It was beautiful! I just so ADORE this show.

I love Elena and Christine and really wanted to meet them - so I stage doored. There were only 2 others there. The stage door guy let us GO IN. (I think those other 2 people knew someone in the show - but hey!)

I waited there for a little bit - everyone had cut out pretty quickly- apparently. But I did meet Katie Clarke backstage! She's picking up the tour in Ohio. THAT was cool.

Amazing day. Just LOVE Piazza. As I was walking out of the house when the show ended, I heard someone say, "Well sorry guys. Maybe we'll pick a better one next time." To which another replied - "Well Beauty and the Beast was good...."

Sigh.
Updated On: 3/4/07 at 08:53 PM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 8:59pm

The person I was referring to was Betsy DiLellio, not Leslie Henstock. I have a feeling because the stage was so small, they cut that part.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:08pm

Oh God, I hope Katie Clarke's gone by the time it reaches Chicago. ;__;

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:09pm

Spork Goddess, somehow I don't think you're wish is going to be granted, especially since she just joined the tour.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:16pm

I can dream, can't I?

I guess I'll just hope that I get the u/s when I see it.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:20pm

From what I hear, you can't go wrong with Leslie Henstock as Clara.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:29pm

I'm getting tickets for the Chicago stop ASAP. I can't wait to see Katie!!!

[Chrismas42]

Posted: 3/5/07 at 1:45am

Lizzie.... I really hope you are being sarcastic...lol
As for her talent.... There is NO denying that she is unbelievable... I was just wondering if she had changed after some other onfortunate "fiascos"...

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/5/07 at 2:08am

Lizzie.... I really hope you are being sarcastic...

Not this time around.

[Chrismas42]

Posted: 3/5/07 at 2:15am

Really??? Wow... Good for her!!! I'm happy that everything is working out cause she has one of the most beautiful voices I've heard in a LONG time...

P.S.
How do you know her... if you don't mind me asking... You can PM me