The Light in the Piazza OCR Review

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 12:55pm

Sitting here enjoying my 10th listen to this stunning recording. From the moment I heard the first notes of the orchestra in my seat at the Vivan Beaumont Theater, I knew I was in for an incredible evening of theater. While still in previews, the book was obviously suffering from some problems that dragged the story. But Guettel's stunning score led this not-so-musical musical and not-so-opera opera into a league of its own. I read somewhere that Guettel shouldn't change for Broadway, Broadway should change for him. Hallelujah. Guettel's talent floats beyond words and it shines so much in this score than the other two we are blessed to have from Nonesuch records: MYTH AND HYMNS and FLOYD COLLINS.

Highlights: Kelli O'Hara's stunning version of the title song brings me to tears with each listen as does Victoria Clark's absolutely gorgeous and heartbreaking rendition of 'Dividing Day'. However, Morrison's voice soars above any other male performances on this recording with his lush Italian and broken english melodies. I can't even begin to imagine the amount of work he has put into this role and overcoming the difficulty of learning one language to block out another to create the image of speaking broken english. Many kudos and much applause to him for this effort.

The real treat on the recording is Clark's closing to the show: "Fable". Seeing this live, I left the theater with goosebumps, totally haunted by her rendition of this song and a few tears starting to well up in my eyes. Hearing someone say that love is 'just a children's fairty tale' is so incredibly heartbreaking. But she tells her daughter, look! LOOK! Find it. An incredible message from Guettel performed perfectly by Clark. (Someone give this woman her much-deserved Tony!)

The recording offers some wonderful group numbers - specifically one octet and an entire argument in Italian - that soar. These numbers are obviously filled with difficulty for those performing them - similar to Sondheim's famous hell-for-actors: "A Weekend in the Country". Bravo to the cast for overcoming this and performing it with such assurance and such absolute beauty.

Nonesuch Records provides absolutely gorgeous cover-art (we've already discussed it here on the boards, so I won't rambel about it) and an absolutely wonderful booklet. Wonderful production photos and a gorgeous introduction on Guettel and Lucas' new work as well as a synopsis with full lyrics to the show.

Guettel is a name I hope we will continue to see much of. Perhaps he'll put his hands into opera for a bit? Perhaps we'll be blessed with full, lush scores from his hands? Who knows?

Virgin is selling this recording for $14.99 - a cheap price for such a stunning recording. Don't wait. Pick it up now! You won't regret it!

[shira467]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 1:10pm

To say I'm gorging would be an understatement -- I feel this recording is beyond words, what I feel when I listen to it...

[Thenardier]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 1:13pm

I am going to be in the mall today for something, so hopefully I can find it!

I cannot wait to see this!

[shira467]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 1:19pm

I'm trying to think of adjectives...

Ravishing...too many. Even the thesaurus doens't give enough.

[lvpblues]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 1:27pm

Ravishing, lush, delicious, transcendent, romantic, ethereal...

it goes on and on.

I just cannot stop listening - I'm really so moved by this score. I am already planning my first of many return trips to the Beaumont.

Excellent review, btw, theatertrash.

[Urban]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 1:58pm

*sigh*

My hip pocket doesn't like me anymore, but there is just so many good CDs I need to buy!

[SuddenlyTrey]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 2:02pm

AHH I am waiting on my disc to arrive from Amazon.com! I am dying! I saw it in Chicago with the different cast and I am so eager to hear it!

[sparky310]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 2:09pm

love the cd..hate the packaging..hate that i have to use this stupid sleave..and even more hate that cover art isnt the same as the poster..but love love love the show.

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 2:11pm

Nice review - I'm so going to get it tomorrow, I can't wait. The clips I've heard are magnificent. A good score for a serious musical - a long time since that happened... Rent would be the last one

Mary P x

Posted: 5/25/05 at 2:21pm

"A good score for a serious musical - a long time since that happened... Rent would be the last one"

I'd say Caroline, or Change qualifies.

[sparky310]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 2:34pm

i know i'm in the minority but i dont find the rent score very exciting or interesting...very flat and redundant.sorry

[shira467]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 2:40pm

Interestingly enough, I'm not the biggest fan of Caroline...

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 2:47pm

I also don't find the Rent score terribly notable or interesting musically. CAROLINE is in many ways superior to PIAZZA, IMO but they're both highly accomplished and ambitious works.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 2:50pm

Great review overall, Trash.

I can think of many other serious, accomplished scores off the top of my head, though: Caroline, Parade, Marie Christine, LaChiusa's Wild Party, Floyd Collins, etc.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 3:17pm

I'm not a CAROLINE fan either.

I just got home with Piazza.

LOVE IT

[juice23]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 5:23pm

IM DYING HERE! I ordered it from amazon yesterday... and it supposed to be here by friday BUT THEY havent shipped it yet! THey sent my other CD that i ordered at the same time... which makes me nervous. are they on backorder or something?

[Thenardier]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 5:24pm

No...they are slow.

[mallardo]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 6:45pm

I have not found it anywhere in LA - even Tower doesn't have it.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 6:47pm

PIAZZA is in no way as good as CAROLINE (one of the best scores ever written in my opinion), but I still adore it. It's just lush, gorgeous piece of musical theatre and I'm sure I won't take it out of the player for a while.

[alphieboy]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 6:49pm

Thanks for the review, I am glad that you liked it! I can not wait to get my recording. I went to the Border's closest to my house, and they did not have it in yet...but they said that they would call when it is in. I hope that it is soon, I can not live much longer without it!

[BillFinn]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 7:21pm

Vicki Clark's great. Just at some points, I feel certain actors on certain songs pulling a "Wicked" and just singing it note for note.

[MarkCohen]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 7:24pm

Do you seriously have to insult Wicked all the time. No, I'm not a huge fan but yes, I do like Wicked. Honestly though, you could have just as easily said "I feel actors are just singing it note for note on some songs."

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 7:27pm

I can't wait for the full CD. Since I saw the show Saturday, I have been addicted to my cd sampler with Dividing Day :)

[BillFinn]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 7:49pm

Who are you? I rarely post on this board more or less "insult Wicked". The Wicked CD recording is horrible. That's a known fact. Sweet Oz...

[juice23]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 9:41pm

why is the wicked recording horrible? i actually think its pretty great... the screaming is limited and the riffs that are there sound great.... you can understand the words and the orchestrations kick major ass.....

Anywhooot... im dying without my PIAZZA cd.... i cant wait much longer lol