#1
Posted: 6/3/07 at 11:38am
This past Friday I saw the tour of "The Light in the Piazza" in Boston. I've been a fan of this show for quite some time, but had yet to see it live. I do however, still have the PBS Broadcast saved on my DVR and watch it all the time. I was thrilled to hear that Katie Clarke, or Katie Rose Clarke now, had joined the tour cast because I was such a huge fan of hers. I was so excited to see her, along with everyone else. I was not disappointed.
I'm going to start out by saying that this has got to be one of the most beautiful shows to ever grace the stage. I absolutely love everything about it. The music is gorgeous, the book is wonderful, the sets and costumes bring out more of the show, it's just all great. It is eye candy, as to quote Katie Clarke. Simply gorgeous.
Let's start with Christine Andreas. She was simply wonderful. I went in nervous about seeing her because I just can't imagine Margaret being played by someone other than Victoria Clark. That being said, she did a really great job. Her Margaret was much more of the disciplinary type, which was interesting to see. That doesn't mean that the love and care did not shine through, because it did. Christine has a really pretty deep alto which I enjoyed hearing. Sometimes it became too much when she was belting through "Dividing Day" but overall it was good. Her "Fable" was heartbreaking and her scenes with Roy were fantastic. My only qualms with her was her accent. In the first act she tended to slip out of it quite a bit and at some points sounded British. But as the show went on it got better. Great performance.
David Burnham as Fabrizio was absolutely wonderful. Spot on acting, and a beautiful voice! I can't say enough about his voice. It is gorgeous. His vibrato makes me melt. I really loved his interactions with Margaret. I still can't get over his "Ill Mondo Era Vuoto." It was breathtaking. My only qualm was, once again, his Italian accent. This was actually a problem with all of the Italians, except for Wendi Beramini (Franca). It sounded much to forced and not natural. But overall, a brilliant performance. Buy his cd!
And finally, the person who made the show for me, the wonderfully talented Katie Rose Clarke. Katie has grown so much in this role since the PBS Broadcast. Her voice is a thousand times stronger and her acting choices are even better. Katie is able to really show the change from the young, innocent Clara to a grown woman who sees the world through different eyes. I don't see Katie up on that stage, I see Clara. I cried extremely hard during her turning point of singing, "The Light in the Piazza." Her voice is stunning. I know we'll be seeing more of her for years to come. She is wonderful.
Other highlights for me were Wendi Bergamini as Franca. She was wonderful. Jonathan Hammond (Giuseppe) and David Ledingham (Signor Naccarelli) were great as well. I did not like Diana DiMarzio is Signora Naccarelli very much. To me, that is the role that is softer and quieter (well, until "Aiutami") and Diana's portrayal of her was much to, I don't know the word for it, fierce? At times she seemed to much like Franca and I find the characters to be nothing alike. Many other people like her, and I'm not saying she's bad, but I did not agree with the choices that she made. John Procaccino did a great job as Roy, bringing in the voice of the real world.
Overall, a fabulous production. If this tour comes to one of your cities, I highly suggest that you go see it. It was great.
I'm going to start out by saying that this has got to be one of the most beautiful shows to ever grace the stage. I absolutely love everything about it. The music is gorgeous, the book is wonderful, the sets and costumes bring out more of the show, it's just all great. It is eye candy, as to quote Katie Clarke. Simply gorgeous.
Let's start with Christine Andreas. She was simply wonderful. I went in nervous about seeing her because I just can't imagine Margaret being played by someone other than Victoria Clark. That being said, she did a really great job. Her Margaret was much more of the disciplinary type, which was interesting to see. That doesn't mean that the love and care did not shine through, because it did. Christine has a really pretty deep alto which I enjoyed hearing. Sometimes it became too much when she was belting through "Dividing Day" but overall it was good. Her "Fable" was heartbreaking and her scenes with Roy were fantastic. My only qualms with her was her accent. In the first act she tended to slip out of it quite a bit and at some points sounded British. But as the show went on it got better. Great performance.
David Burnham as Fabrizio was absolutely wonderful. Spot on acting, and a beautiful voice! I can't say enough about his voice. It is gorgeous. His vibrato makes me melt. I really loved his interactions with Margaret. I still can't get over his "Ill Mondo Era Vuoto." It was breathtaking. My only qualm was, once again, his Italian accent. This was actually a problem with all of the Italians, except for Wendi Beramini (Franca). It sounded much to forced and not natural. But overall, a brilliant performance. Buy his cd!
And finally, the person who made the show for me, the wonderfully talented Katie Rose Clarke. Katie has grown so much in this role since the PBS Broadcast. Her voice is a thousand times stronger and her acting choices are even better. Katie is able to really show the change from the young, innocent Clara to a grown woman who sees the world through different eyes. I don't see Katie up on that stage, I see Clara. I cried extremely hard during her turning point of singing, "The Light in the Piazza." Her voice is stunning. I know we'll be seeing more of her for years to come. She is wonderful.
Other highlights for me were Wendi Bergamini as Franca. She was wonderful. Jonathan Hammond (Giuseppe) and David Ledingham (Signor Naccarelli) were great as well. I did not like Diana DiMarzio is Signora Naccarelli very much. To me, that is the role that is softer and quieter (well, until "Aiutami") and Diana's portrayal of her was much to, I don't know the word for it, fierce? At times she seemed to much like Franca and I find the characters to be nothing alike. Many other people like her, and I'm not saying she's bad, but I did not agree with the choices that she made. John Procaccino did a great job as Roy, bringing in the voice of the real world.
Overall, a fabulous production. If this tour comes to one of your cities, I highly suggest that you go see it. It was great.
Updated On: 6/3/07 at 11:38 AM
