The Light in the Piazza- July 22, 2007 (closing show)

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 7:39pm

I have never in my 22 years on this earth had a more purifying, cleansing, cathartic experience. I didn't really enjoy the show when I saw it on January 13 because I was so heavily biased toward the Broadway cast. This time I watched it with an open mind and heart, and I adored the cast. I don't if it was because they had improved or because I was open to them. Probably a bit of both.

Overture- Gorgeous, as always. Christine Andreas is so charismatic. I started crying when Katie Clarke finally came onstage as Clara.

Statues and Stories- Christine is beautiful and charismatic, and Katie is perfection as Clara. I was crying throughout this song.

scenes- David Burnham and Katie have amazing chemistry! I wasn't expecting that. Christine's acting was very good, and David had also improved. The flying hat was more magical than any flying green witch. Jane Brockman was great as the tour guide.

The Beauty Is- Katie's voice has improved tremendously in the past year. It's much more full and controlled.

Il Mondo Era Vuoto- I'm not such a big fan of David's voice, but he poured his heart out.

American Dancing- I have to say I really missed Michael Berresse here. Jonathan Hammond's dancing and acting are not on the same level.

scenes- Craig Bennett was good as Signor. He's a very big guy and Christine is tiny, so they made an interesting pair. Wendi Bergamini had improved so much as Franca. She was very good.

Passeggiata- I wish David would do the falsetto for the last "happiness" instead of belting it. He and Katie are so great together.

scene- Diana DiMarzio fit right in as Signora Naccarelli. They really seemed like a family.

The Joy You Feel- Wendi couldn't quite hit the last note, but other than that she did great.

scenes- I loved when Christine looked into David's eyes and couldn't tell him the truth about Clara. I still didn't like John Procaccino as Roy, but Christine was wonderful in the scene with him.

Dividing Day- Very well-acted, although I much prefer Vicki Clark's singing.

Hysteria- Katie seriously freaked out, which freaked me out.

scene- Christine was very emotional.

Say It Somehow- In a word, hot. Steaming hot. They really got into it.

Aiutami- This is always a fun song and Diana was good, but I much prefer Patti Cohenour's voice.

scene- Very intense. Katie's delivery of "Daddy doesn't love you" was chilling.

The Light in the Piazza- Katie completely owns this song. It was perfect. I was crying.

scenes- Christine was crying so hard she could hardly speak. Luckily she pulled herself together for her little scene with Signor.

Octet/Tirade- Katie was on fire! She was so angry, and Wendi and Jonathan did a good job here.

scene- Craig scared me here. He was so intense. Christine and Katie were absolutely devastated.

The Beauty Is (Reprise)- Heartbreaking.

scene- At this point I realized we were getting close to the end, which made me sad.

Let's Walk- Christine and Craig had pretty good chemistry, but I always find this song a little boring. The kiss lasted a long time.

scene- John was much better as Roy here.

Clara's Interlude- The silhouette against the golden backdrop is one of the most haunting images I've ever seen onstage. Katie was crying and I was crying.

Love to Me- Beautiful. David was choked up, Katie was weeping, and I couldn't applaud because I was crying so hard.

Fable- When Katie said "I can't leave you," I was literally doubled over in wracking sobs. During the song I was staring at Christine and not wanting the experience to ever end.

curtain call- Immediate standing ovation, tears flowing. Christine gave a little speech and invited all the crew onstage. She then invited Adam Guettel onstage. And then it was over.

stage door- Jonathan was the first person to come out. I got his autograph. David remembered me from last night and gave me a hug. Adam came out and I got up the courage to introduce myself. I thanked him for writing such a beautiful show. He was very friendly and he signed my playbill. Katie remembered me, hugged me again, and thanked me for coming. Christine must have remembered me because she kissed me on the cheek. I am so humbled by the kindness of this cast. I'm also really glad I allowed myself to see how wonderful they were in the show. This is an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life.

[ElFantasma14]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 7:57pm

So sad this beautiful show couldn't have toured longer. It will be missed.

[gittel]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 8:35pm

I couldn't attend today's final performance, but did see it twice while it was in Chicago and am so glad I got the opportunity to do so, having missed it in NYC but fell in love with the show after seeing the PBS Live From Lincoln Center broadcast.

In general, I felt the pace of the show was much quicker during the tour and was impressed with most everyone in the cast.

I know Katie had her detractors during her B'way run and after the PBS telecast; I was not one of them as I was immediately impressed with her performance. Having said that, she absolutely blew me away in seeing her live. Her voice is absolutely gorgeous and I was equally awed by her acting. She made some changes from the Lincoln Center show--possibly due to staging, different actors, etc. but all fit the character of Clara quite well. I was amazed at how quickly she brought the tears when called for--her Hysteria was, well, more hysterical; and Clara's Interlude was incredibly emotional--as a matter of fact, she was crying so hard during Love To Me that she couldn't adequately wipe her tears and nose. I was so impressed.

I'm said that the tour couldn't continue longer and visit more cities, but I feel really lucky to have gotten to see it before it closed.
Updated On: 7/22/07 at 08:35 PM

[almostxfamous]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 8:58pm

I wish they wouldn't have canceled the Philadelphia stop! I'm really sad I never got to see the show.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 9:01pm

So sorry I couldn't be there, but thanks for reporting. I'm sure this show will be produced by regional companies in the future.

[Prisoner 24601]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 9:04pm

I had no idea that today was the last day of the tour, I just knew it was the last day in Chicago! The performances all across the board were just fantastic, and Christine was right when she said at the end that they didn't steer away from the original message of the show. It was such a beautiful experience. I'm so glad I got to see this production.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 9:20pm

It was a great performance this afternoon! I'm kinda surprised that Adam didn't make a speech at curtain call, but it was still nice to see him up there. He was so nice at the stage door as well! What a gentleman!

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:41am

OMFG, I was there today. BEST SHOW EVER!


So I'll be the first one to say, I hated Katie Clarke on the PBS telecast. There are MANY times when I watch it that I cringe on notes because they crack or are really nasal or too spread and (incorrectly) belted. (I will say I was always a fan of her acting though). But I eat all those negative words after her performance today. It was BEAUTIFUL! Her voice was absolutely perfect, and her soprano much more developed. I was shuddering during her tirade (musically my favorite part of the show) and again during the very, very emotional end. And p.s. she is the sweetest thing ever at the stage door. just a doll (and I don't use that word...ever). So, I love her. that is all.


David, also. WOW. I don't think I've seen a better Fabrizio. I've seen Matt's performance (though not live, wink wink) and Aaron's on PBS, and I have to say they are all sooo different, and David wins in my opinion. His voice blew me away! He held a note out in Il Mondo for what seemed like a decade. His comedic timing was dead on too. Also, SOOOOO nice at the stage door.


And I met Adam Guettel!! Which about made my life. ANNND he signed my playbill "To Lovely Stephanie"....awwwwwwww!!

So sad the tour can't just stay in Chicago, and run forever. But the emotion in today's show was so beautiful and heartbreaking, and I'm honored I was able to see it!

[Jeannette2]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 2:35pm

I'm bummed that I couldn't see the final show in person! I LOVED this show so much! I saw it a total of 7x while it was in the L.A./Orange County area. Katie's Clara was by far my favorite between her and Elena. David B.'s Fabrizio was the BOMB! He's such a sweet guy in person too. I'm sad that it's over and I hope to someday see some of the castmembers in other shows in the future.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 2:45pm

I am so glad that I upgraded my seats! I regret only seeing it once. Such a gorgeous score.

[jg4892]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 3:04pm

I wish I had been there. I remember what an amazing experience the closing show was a year ago.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 12:09am

Updated On: 7/24/07 at 12:09 AM

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 12:11am

Updated On: 7/24/07 at 12:11 AM