The Light in the Piazza ... il mio mondo era vuoto.

[Derech2]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 5:57pm

I just bought the OBCR. Does Matt Morrison sound like a god live, too? I cannot believe I lived so long without it. Yes, this is a pointless gushing thread. Kelli O'Hara nearly had me bawling with my iPod in hand. Morrison's Italian is impressive (my favorite song so far being Passeggiata).

So is this show as stunning as it seems? Or it is just poorly written, with stunning performers? How exactly did Spamalot win over this?

[Georgeanne]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 5:59pm

I believe Spamalot won because it had more mass appeal.

Although I am not one of the voters, so I can't speak for them.

[broadway betty]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 6:06pm

Yes, Matt is fabulousness live. You have less than 2 weeks to see him b/f he leaves the show on the 28th. He's absolutely precious!

Spamalot won b/c life sucks and is unfair. Victoria Clark doesn't need to stick a trumpet in her ass to make people laugh.

[BreakingTheCircle07]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 6:10pm

Matthew IS as good in real life, if not 100 Xs better! When you're seeing the show, you see what a great actor he is. He's dreaaaaaaamy! Piazza is nothing but stunning and beautifully performed and designed.

As for the Spamalot comment, Broadway is a buniess, unfortuntely. Spamalot has an unfortunately longer shelf life, so the show won it that way. I agree with the mass appeal comment.

[Katecab99]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 6:26pm

He is SO fabulous on the album and in person! i'm so glad i'm seeing PIAZZA again before he's gone!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 10:31pm

AMAZING!
I guess I'll gush too. I was a tad nervous because I wasn't sure if everyone would sound as perfect as they did on the OBC recording, but they all were absolutely brilliant. I hope you can see the show before Matty leaves, I love the OBC cast because each one of them were perfect. The three of Victoria, Kelli, Matty were perfect... but Signora Nacarelli, Franca, and Guiseppe were terrific also. I loved Michael Berresse.

I have no idea why Spamalot won over this musical... I think the main reason is because Avenue Q was the underdog last year, and this year they wanted the big powerhouse to win. Obviously, I think Piazza deserved to win Best Musical... but if you have really big stars like Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce, and Hank Azaria in your musical the chances increase greatly.

The show itself is beautifully written, the score, and the set are all exquisite. I hope you get the chance to see the show.

--korenglish

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 10:46pm

I really wish I could see Matt in the show, but I am hoping it will still hold up when I see it in November.

Kelli and Victoria are still a pretty exciting, but I'd really like to have seen Matt.

Here's hoping that Jack Skellington is good in it.

If I decided to buy a windowcard and have the cast sign it, I will be more than happy to march my ass right over to Naked Girl on the Appian Way to get Matt to sign it.
Updated On: 8/15/05 at 10:46 PM

[Plum]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 10:58pm

I feel kind of bad being the dissenting voice here, because I did like Morrison's performance, but he just wasn't up there vocally with Clark and O'Hara, who had the other two really challenging parts. He hit all his notes without fail, but there were times when you could hear the strain, something that never happened with the other two. It's not a huge caveat, but it's there.

[Derech2]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 11:04pm

Hm, I didn't really hear the strain ... could be though.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 11:06pm

Who is Jack Skellington? Or did I miss something?

Anyway, we have a thread for this... if you wish to further gush about Matty Morrison.

The Official Matt Morrison Love Thread

[ShuQ]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 11:07pm

I'm definitely not trying to defend him...because that's no excuse, but I do find it incredibly impressive that Morrison didn't even know he was a tenor...he may strain, but he still impresses me. I do agree though that you can kinda hear a strain. He makes the notes sound a lot higher than they actually are...but he's still great, no doubt.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 11:10pm

The main reason Matt almost didn't take the role of Fabrizio was because he thought the role was too challenging for him. He says that the high notes were a lot harder than what he was used to, so I think it's impressive. I didn't hear too much of a strain, and it's been a couple of months since the start of Piazza... and his voice is still fine.

--korenglish

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 11:13pm

Chris Sarandon, who will be joining the company soon was the voice of Jack Skellington in Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas.

Just a misguided attempt at humor.

[bythesword84]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 11:15pm

Plum don't worry about what you said, because I might be saying worse.

I've seen Piazza 7 times now and it seems that the more I see it the less Matt comes across as being "into" his performance. I love him in the part but I wouldn't call myself a Matt Morrison fan. It just seems that the last four times I saw it he was either tired or just not really into it. He hit every note but none of it (particularly in Aiutami) seemed to have the drive he used to have. Maybe its because he's leaving and he's getting antsy but if thats the case, he should have left already because if you're not going to give your all whats the point? Again, I do like him in the role, I think he sounds fantastic when he's on and he's with it and you can tell he's into it but lately, for me anyway, that hasn't been the case and I've been disappointed.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 11:18pm

Patronus - I get it! Hehe, that's awesome. I didn't get it because I didn't know that Chris Sarandon was Jack in the movie. Interesting to know though, it'll be easier to try and explain to my friends. The only way I can explain Lea Salonga to them is to tell them she is the singing voice of Mulan and Jasmine... it's kind of pathetic, but there is no one at my school into musical theatre like I am.

Okay, I have no idea why I wrote so much... I'll stop now.
--korenglish

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 11:20pm

He also played Prince Humperdink in The Princess Bride if that helps you in your efforts to get your friends interested.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 11:37pm

Some of my friends have never even been to New York City. *shudder* But they respect my "eclectic" music taste, and know not to put on any Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan, and other tasteless music when I am around. Anyway, hopefully for our senior week... instead of going to the beach and getting drunk [which I don't drink... and I choose not to be around those who do], I am going to try and convince them to head up to NYC with me. Anyway, I have got to stop writing these posts that I'm sure no one is interested in reading.

I'm done... officially, but thanks for the information patronus
--korenglish

[lvpblues]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 11:39pm

I've grown to enjoy Matt's performance as Fabrizio over the past few months. I think it is a sensitive performance filled with a certain likability and honesty. However, his vocal stylings had to grow on me. At opening night I was kind of perplexed with having operatic calibre voices and one stand alone with pop inflections, albeit he definitely sings with more legitimacy than Hairspray. While I will miss him when he goes, I am anxious to hear Aaron Lazar, who seems to possess a more classically based voice (and who is the nicest guy - I had the privilege of riding on the subway with him after Sunday's matinee. He seemed quite surprised to be recognized).

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 11:40pm

I am interested in reading them korenglish. I know what it's like being the only one in your circle of friends who likes to listen to show tunes. It can be tough.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 11:54pm

I think we're threadjacking patronus. Oh well... it's in good intentions, I do love Matty and I think he is amazing.

Anyway, I'm glad there are others in my situation. I was the only who watched the Tony awards in my entire school! My one friend saw a little bit of it just so she could tell me she saw some of it. They are interested in supporting me though, my one friend came with her grandparents and parents to see me perform "Seasons of Love"... and they are excited to see if I will get a lead in this year's musical. How are your friends?

--korenglish

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 12:01am

I admit it. I am a thread jacker.

When I was in high school it was rough. Most of my friends weren't in theatre at all so I'd talk about a cast recording and get blank stares.

My wife is as into musicals as I am (I wouldn't have married her otherwise - LOL) and a couple of my close friends are into theatre, but at work and places like that it's more blank stares.

That's what makes BWW such a great community! We can all come together and talk about theatre.

You must be close to NY, right Korenglish? At least you get a fix occasionally.
Updated On: 8/16/05 at 12:01 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 12:06am

I don't live too close, but I get oppurtunities to go to NYC. Well, I make oppurtunities to go to NYC. I hope to eventually live there, which really excites me. I have no idea how I got into musical theatre, but it just fascinates me that people are so talented on Broadway, yet don't make much of a salary. I would love to be on Broadway, but realistically... I have a backup plan. Anyway, I already know that I am going to marry someone who is into Broadway shows... I think it would be really awkward otherwise. The only friends I have really into musical theatre is myself, my sis, and others on this board. I concur about the great community of BWW... without it, I might have never known about Piazza.

--korenglish

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 12:10am

Well, you can always come to NY in Novemeber when I am there in November and help me win some lotteries.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 12:21am

That would be exciting! Except for the fact that I have school and work and other things to do... but maybe around Thanksgiving I can head up to NYC for a couple of Broadway shows. I have no idea... it will depend on cost and things like that. I have yet to win a lottery, so I doubt I would be much help to you anyway.

--korenglish

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 12:24am

Well, you being a lottery loser could help me just by proxy.

I have my tickets already ordered for Piazza and I'll be 2nd Row Orchestra center.

Very excited.