The Light in the Piazza vs. Grey Gardens

[thesinger]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 9:12pm

Discuss

[bjh2114]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 9:14pm

Completely different shows that both happen to deal with the relationship between a mother and daughter. Two completely different styles of music, very different books, one is somewhat dark while the other is mostly upbeat and romantic. I love them both a lot, and the two leading ladies are both sensational.

[jg4892]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 9:17pm

They're both amazing, but wayyyy to different to compare. There's really nothign comparable about them at all.

[jv92]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 9:19pm

They'll both have a shelf life.

[thesinger]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 9:21pm

Definitely two of the most amazing shows in the past 10 years, I can't decide which to love more.

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 9:23pm

Both were arguably cheated out of best musical Tonys.
(And in GG's case, even more.)

[bjh2114]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 9:27pm

bwaygal, I don't think really even more. I think both were equally cheated out. Both Piazza and GG deserved to take home the main prize.

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 9:27pm

But I would take watching The Light in the Piazza any day..I'm sorry GG fans..I love it too..but...

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 9:29pm

I meant more awards-Light got book and score, while GG didn't.
Sorry.

[BillFinn]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 9:30pm

Little Edie (Act I) and Clara Johnson need to be played out in a specific way, so you can believe they're provocative emotional unstable.

Updated On: 6/11/07 at 09:30 PM

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 9:30pm

"Both were arguably cheated out of best musical Tonys."

That's not too arguable, if you ask me.

[BillFinn]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 9:33pm

p.s. "Clara's Tirade" and "Daddy's Girl"; both characters unleash their insecurities.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 9:39pm

I fell in love with LitP from the first time I listened to it. That didn't happen with GG. I agree though that both deserved Best Musical.

[singingshowgirl]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 10:26pm

very different, but very awesome

one mother wants to make things good for her daughter

and one doesn't haha

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 11:24pm

I think Grey Gardens is slightly stronger. We all know Piazza got a little fluffy at times. But Grey Gardens is frightening, shocking, moving, and fun at the same time. Piazza didn't shock me or move me AS much.

[ahmelie]

Posted: 6/11/07 at 11:33pm

Two of my favourite musicals of all time.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/12/07 at 12:17am

I think Light in the Piazza, Caroline, Or Change, and Grey Gardens are 3 of the best musicals, definitely of the 00s.

[little_sally]

Posted: 6/12/07 at 1:59am

jrb_actor, I couldn't agree with you more!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/12/07 at 3:47am

Um...THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA didn't win best book.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 6/12/07 at 5:10am

The Light in the Piazza has a bold, strong, and incredibly original score. Guettel has a completely unique voice for a musical. It's a cohesive, coherent, and deeply meaningful work of art. The characters are so strong and real that they live outside of the performances being given, and all of the characters are developed rather than two.

There are incidental similiarities between the two, but Piazza is in a league of its own, whereas Grey Gardens is a fun curiosity, awards aside. I don't know why people keep comparing the two shows. They aren't similiar except in superficial ways.

It's interesting that Caroline, or Change, Grey Gardens, and Piazza are to varying degrees and for various reasons very much about the relationships between a mother and her daughter. Caroline, or Change is by far the most ambitious (though not my favorite). It was devastating in the theater but I never listen to the cast recording. Go figure.

[sanda]

Posted: 6/12/07 at 8:47am

I adore Piazza. Grey Gardens bored me.

[LittleFish8386]

Posted: 6/12/07 at 8:58am

Light in the Piazza is one of the best musicals of my entire life. Grey Gardens was definitely my favorite of the season, but I don't think I could sit through it every night like I could Piazza.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/12/07 at 9:22am

I like them both. Best of the last 10 years? I'm not sure about that. It depends on your criteria. I would put Caroline or Change above both of them, though.

[unckristen]

Posted: 6/12/07 at 9:49am

There are some superficial similarities but Grey Gardens grabbed me from the first notes. I could never get into Piazza no matter how many times I tried.

[InTheKnow2]

Posted: 6/12/07 at 9:52am

munkustrap178-

thank you for pointing that out. best book went to Spelling Bee which (though funny at times) relies greatly on improv. unfair decision if you ask me...