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The Light In The Piazza opening night in L.A.

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#1

The Light In The Piazza opening night in L.A.

Posted: 11/2/06 at 3:41am

I saw the show tonight at the Ahmanson. I LOVE the free tickets for opening nights policy they have! It was freezing in the standby line but we ended up sitting front mezz surrounded by cast and parents of JRB's upcoming show "13"... They had the cutest reaction to seeing themselves in the program.

This show, to me, is all about the music. No special effects, no great story... just lovely sets and a glorious score! I'll admit, I'm probably not sophisticated enough to say I LOVED the music, but I appreciated it on my own level. I thought it was very well sung by the cast, especially the girl playing Clara. She was particularly wonderful.

And now I wait for DAME to chime in with the usual "I was there too! Can't believe I missed you again."
#2

re: The Light In The Piazza opening night in L.A.

Posted: 11/2/06 at 4:19am

I was there last night, and thought it was sensational. The music was glorious. Having seen it in New York, it was interesting to see how they've adjusted the design and direction at little to accomodate a proscenium stage.

In a way, I liked this tour production better...maybe it's that the show itself just gets better the second time you see it. David Burnham as Fabrizio was fantastic, amazing, what a voice! What a presence! He's a real honest-to-goodness star. Christine Andreas and Elena Shaddow were wonderful, and sang beautifully. I particularly loved Diane Sutherland as Mrs. Nacarelli--she's just delicious!

Even though it's a small, simple story, it's so well done that I was practically on the edge of my seat the entire time, even though I've seen it before. That's a real tribute to the writers and the director, and the cast, who keep the tension going throughout. I was really moved, and plan to go back and see it again.
#3

re: The Light In The Piazza opening night in L.A.

Posted: 11/2/06 at 4:37am

"it's a small, simple story"

This 'small, simple story' encompasses some pretty complex and confusing situations. The levels of parenthood, growth, independence, love and acceptance are almost overwhelming.

I still think that those who don't emotionally respond to the scenario established just haven't lived enough to understand the stakes involved.
#4

re: The Light In The Piazza opening night in L.A.

Posted: 11/2/06 at 8:43am




I get what you’re saying DG, Piazza does touch on some serious issues. But IMO that’s it. I don’t think the musical really delves into this issues. It gives them a superficial gloss. I enjoy the show (saw the tour twice), but I find the story simplistic because it doesn’t really get to the heart of these issues. We never really get more than a glimpse of Margaret and Roy’s passionless marriage, and Signora Naccarelli has a few throw-away lines about her marriage to Signor. As far as unhappy marriages go, the only time I saw any real depth was during “The Joy You Feel”. That song encompasses Franca’s disillusionment beautifully.

The musical is more successful with the theme of Margaret trying to protect her daughter. Even so, I feel there could have been more. Margaret always tells the audience that it is her job to “protect” Clara, and finally at the end says “maybe she has grown”. But there’s too much telling, not enough showing, for my taste.

Now I’m not going to pretend I know anything about marriage, because I don’t. But I have been in Clara’s situation. I have a disability and I’ve had to deal with a mother who has tried to “protect” me from the world, but only ended up hindering me. I just recently moved out of her house, and she fought me kicking and screaming. And I’m the same age as Clara.
#5

re: The Light In The Piazza opening night in L.A.

Posted: 11/2/06 at 9:21am

Amazing as always.

Spectacular opening night...everyone in top form.

Great buzz.

Awaiting newspaper reviews.

The triumphant tour (performance-wise) continues. Hopefully, Los Angeles audiences will embrace this show...and Los Angeles casting and production people will embrace the performers. Oops...lost to film and television? We can't have that on this board!
#11

re: The Light In The Piazza opening night in L.A.

Posted: 11/2/06 at 11:59am

"The musical is more successful with the theme of Margaret trying to protect her daughter."

I agree. It was that theme, as well as the theme of trying to be independent that really moved me the most. I think the stories of the loveless marraiges on their own don't carry too much weight. They serve the play in that they reinforce that even people considered to be in good mental health can make bad decisions in love, thereby making the fact that Clara is mature enough to make a decision valid.

Kyle, I am sorry but I didn't look around long enough to notice. We got our standby tickets at the very last minute and had to rush to our seats. We also had an international guest with us who was too overly tired (jetlagged) to stop and notice anything afterwards either.

Dame - yeah yeah. Different story, same ending (didn't see you!)
YWIW??? - ENJOY!


Updated On: 11/2/06 at 11:59 AM

#13

re: The Light In The Piazza opening night in L.A.

Posted: 11/2/06 at 2:18pm

kyle - I didn't see any merchandise that night, and I looked.

tourboi - I can't speak about the mezz, but the orchestra was mostly full except for the last three rows, and there were pockets of two or three empty seats here and there.

Does anyone know how long Kim Grigsby is with the tour? I was very happy to see her conducting that night. Can't wait to go back.
#15

re: The Light In The Piazza opening night in L.A.

Posted: 11/2/06 at 5:13pm

I don't know if that's how it was intended, but that's how I saw it. Although that plot line of the moms loveless marraige also gives her added depth and character growth... as she learns to let go, she is freer herself, blah blah blah.

The more I think about it, the more I realize how much I missed at the moment! I didn't leave wanting to see it again, but now I think I might if the opportunity presented itself.

Updated On: 11/2/06 at 05:13 PM

#16

re: The Light In The Piazza opening night in L.A.

Posted: 11/2/06 at 5:14pm

Popular,

Yes, I asked DAME to come with me last night, but because of his work, he couldn't make it. I took one of the guys from MILLIE that I'm working on now in Long Beach.

I was also noticing the lack of a thrust stage. The scene changes weren't anywhere near as beautiful. Bit then, actors lugging chairs never is pretty. Although I do give kudos to the one stage hand that wandered out to grab the bike. (HINT: If everyone else is in costume, maybe you should be too.)

"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2
#17

re: The Light In The Piazza opening night in L.A.

Posted: 11/2/06 at 5:27pm

Theatrediva, how did the bicycle get left behind?
Hey Dottie! Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
#18

re: The Light In The Piazza opening night in L.A.

Posted: 11/2/06 at 7:00pm

How was the soccer ball?
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer

"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
#20

re: The Light In The Piazza opening night in L.A.

Posted: 11/2/06 at 8:32pm

There was a bike being used as set dressing at one point. I have no idea why the crew member would be seen like that, but it stuck out like a sore thumb.
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2
#23

re: The Light In The Piazza opening night in L.A.

Posted: 11/3/06 at 7:42am

Plus from the L.A. Daily News (Valley daily) :

http://www.dailynews.com/entertainment/ci_4591797

See separate thread on this.

Alas, no mention here either about Soccer Ball...

Sorry so late in posting this - had to fly back to NYC for Mr. Loaf at the Palace - equisite delicacy of Piazza (Tuesday), exciting bombast of Meat Loaf (Thursday)...what a week...ah, show biz, gotta love it.

Tried to get Mr. Loaf to give a featured cameo to Soccer Ball...but believe me, with all that was going on - on the stage of the Palace last night, even a great star like Soccer Ball might have not stood out. However, would have fit right in with the sports jerseys worn by all of the Meat Loaf performers during the opening number...Mr. Loaf was No. 81.


Besides, Soccer Ball understudy not ready to go on in Piazza with the new staging...the understudy, I believe is a basketball or something like that - definitely minor league. Ah, there is only ONE Soccer Ball.
#25

re: The Light In The Piazza opening night in L.A.

Posted: 11/4/06 at 2:38am

Just got back from the show. Overall i loved it. David Burnham was the stand out to me, and he seemed to get the most cheers at curtain call. Elena Shaddow was excellent as well. i was a little disapointed in Christine Andreas, her acting was great, but I did not care for her singing voice. Her vibrato was way to intense, But she still played the character well.

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