<p>I went to New York yesterday to take in some theater, seeing a matinee of The Pillowman and the evening performance of The Light in the Piazza. I really, really liked The Pillowman though I will confess that its difficult subject matter probably makes it not everyone's cup of tea. The acting was superb, especially Michael Shulberg (a Juilliard grad). If any one wants to discuss their feelings about that show, I would love to hear opinions, but this thread is really about The Light In the Piazza.</p>
<p>I am writing to urge all of you Musical Theater buffs - students and parents alike - to RUN, DO NOT WALK, to see The Light in the Piazza at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center. My D saw it in early May and breathlessly called me from the lobby on her way out of the performance, making me promise and swear that I would go see it as soon as possible. This incredible musical, composed by Adam Guettel (grandson of Richard Rogers), is for me, the perfect example of how a contemporary musical theater piece can harken back to the "golden age" of musical theater - with strong melodic lines, lush orchestrations, glorious voices (excuse my predjudices showing - but not a single belted note in earshot.....) - and still appeal to a present day audience with ageless subject matter, innovative staging, gorgeous costumes and lighting. It was a privilege to be in the audience. While I couldn't find fault with a SINGLE performance (which my D would tell you is in itself unbelievable), Victoria Clark was a revelation. If MT students studying how to act a song could experience her performance, they would instantly "get" what their teachers are trying to convey to them. Her final song is powerful, painful, loving, redemptive and honest to the core of her being..........................Can you tell I liked it? ;)</p>
<p>I also had the pleasure of sharing this day with a fellow CC'er and her husband (Monkey) which was the cherry on the top of my Saturday sundae.</p>
<p>The show is currently scheduled to run only through Jan 2, 2006, I think, and that is already an extension. Do yourself a favor. Be one of the people who years from will be able to happily say "I saw the original New York production of The Light in the Piazza." You'll thank me, I swear!!!</p>
<p>Theatermom, thanks for sharing about this show. I don't know a real lot about it but what I saw on the Tony's. I thought the voices were superb in that excerpt, though it was so out of context to truly understand the piece. From what you are saying, it is terrific musical theater. I was thinking of going down to Philly in September and taking my mother to NYC for her 75th and seeing a show and was thinking, what show? Maybe this could be the one; you gave me an idea!</p>
<p>That's exactly what you should do! It would be especially meaningful to see it with your mother as the relationship between mothers and daughters is central to the piece. You'll love it!</p>
<p>I'll second Theatermom's sentiments regarding Piazza. As she knows, our family saw Piazza (from the front row!) on a trip to NYCity less than two weeks ago. It was superb! And since my daughter is a classically-trained soprano, she was glad to see an entire show without a belt voice being featured! Each and every costume was beautiful...truly, truly beautiful. The set was innovative. The characterizations complete. I hated for it to end. </p>
<p>Theatermom is correct...they are currently in an extension of the run. I believe it was supposed to be a very limited run originally. I could be wrong, but I believe it was the Tony nominations that extended the run....and, of course, the increased ticket sales as a result. She's right....run, don't walk, to see it. And you'll probably want to go again! and again!</p>
<p>Thank you Theatremom, for your on the mark and articulate review of The Light in the Piazza. This show is a musical theatre GEM! Earlier posters have described the elements of this show so well so I won't go on and on...... which I really could do since I am still under the enchantment of last night's performance! This show adds a needed dimension to the many outstanding Broadway productions now running - a musical theatre production with the emphasis on MUSIC in its purest form. The visual beauty, consumate acting, elegant set design, and intimate feel of the Vivian Beaumont theatre combine to create a truly magical theatre experience. OK, so I did go on........ and I also want to add my voice to those reccommending all MT students ( as well as those who simply love this art form ) see this show! We are already trying to figure out how to get my D there when she returns from her summer theatre gig in September.</p>
<p>The Light in the Piazza is a lovely show, with an incredibly talented cast. I also would recommend The Pillowman. It's an extraordinary play and probably, of the hundreds of plays I've seen, it's near the very top of the list. </p>
<p>Actually, I'd recommend that anyone who's in the city this summer take the time to see a show or two (or ten!:)) As of tonight, in the past week, five shows will have shuttered, which is very sad.</p>
<p>Theatermom and Monkey, I wish there'd been some CC telepathy telling me that you were in NY this weekend and were also among the lucky people seeing Light in the Piazza -- my D and I were at the Saturday matinee! What a gift to ourselves that turned out to be. We were...I kid you not...in tears much of the time because of how beautiful it was. A lovely story, simple but by no means simple-minded; phenomenal music (my cousin, a Broadway pit musician who saw the show shortly after it opened, could not emphasize enough to us how incredible, and incredibly challenging, the music is); wonderful acting; and those glorious, glorious NON-BELTING voices. Yes, my prejudices are also surfacing. But honestly, you can go into any theatre on Broadway and have your hair raised by one giant voice after another. But how often these days can you find a show that cherishes and showcases voices of exquisite beauty and bottomless heart? My D said it this way: "It was so wonderful to be moved to tears instead of just being blown away."</p>
<p>Theatermom's absolutely right about Victoria Clark -- a master class and a thrill to watch. But we, and especially my D, were also particularly moved by Kelli O'Hara, who plays the daughter of Victoria Clark's character. My D -- she of the non-belt, Disney-princess voice -- was SO ecstatic to hear O'Hara. "THAT's what I want to do with my life," she said afterward. "THAT's why I love being a soprano." We bought the CD immediately, and she's been working obsessively on O'Hara's songs!</p>
<p>Light in the Piazza is breathtaking without being remotely roof-rattling. If you feared that MT like that didn't exist anymore, or if you never knew it could, please...if it's at all possible...do as Theatermom urges: see this show!!</p>
<p>My D and I had other wonderful MT experiences this weekend, too (quite likely our last NY theatre trip before college........waaaahhhh!!!!). At the risk of seeming inconsistent after my praise of Piazza's loveliness, I have to say we had a whopping good time seeing "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." It was fun, fun, fun...as indelicate as "Piazza" is delicate...and Norbert Leo Butz is totally amazing. We also went to a CD release concert by Jason Robert Brown at a club in midtown. We've seen him several times (and my D had the great good fortune of doing a workshoop with him, as well as being in "Songs for a New World" at school), and he's always fabulous. If you ever have a chance, definitely go see him. And his new CD, "Wearing Someone Else's Clothes," is terrific!</p>
<p>Good to be back in touch with you all -- it's been awhile for me!</p>
<p>I'm glad you liked the Pillowman! I'm dying to see it with Billy Crudup playing Kauturian (sp?). I'm pretty sure his contract extends past August when I move to NYU. It's number one on my must see list. I've seen movies of his I didn't like, but I've never disliked his performance in any of them.</p>
<p>I have been hounding my d's vocal coach in NYC to let us take him to dinner, since he helped her with her college audition. He wrote back and said, "spend the money on taking her to Light in the Piazza; it's absolutely amazing!" This man has coached many stars, such as Bernadette Peters and Audra McDonald, and has worked on/off Broadway and is a musical genius. So I really respect his opinion! I looked up tickets and couldn't find any discounts, unfortunately. BUT I hear at NYU you can get really cheap tickets for Broadway performances; we'll probably wait until fall! Anyone else know if NYU students can get discount tix to that particular show? Thx!</p>
<p>My D also saw Light in the Piazza last week (the night of June 30!). She loved it. [She also had a Studentix ticket but I couldn't find a discount so didn't go with her.] She had a fantastic Orchestra seat. She also got a sampler CD in her program! Now I have to get the real CD. </p>
<p>Note about Studentix: in the confirmation email they don't remind you to take TWO THINGS with you to the box office: something with your DATE OF BIRTH, and a STUDENT ID. Fortunately we had the second. They let her in without the first, but warned her to bring it next time!</p>
<p>I've been listening to the CD everyday and I'm seeing it with my mother next week, I cannot wait! Like artsymom's d, this score makes me so happy to be a soprano and I cannot wait for the sheet music to come out!</p>
<p>WOW!! I can't believe I can get BOTH my girls tickets for $22 apiece!! They were $75 online, and those were the CHEAP seats. This ticket was 4th row orchestra. THANK YOU SO MUCH for the info; wish I had known about it earlier (like, 4 years ago when my theater-obsessed daughter started high school!!)</p>
<p>rossji and actor465,
I am so glad to hear you'll be center orchestra for this show. Although the theatre has a very intimate feel and the excellent staging allows for all seats to see well, there were a few moments that I know we missed some "magic" since we were way left. The wonderful photo on the cover of the CD showing Clara completely illuminated from the back was not shot just for the CD. It actually happens onstage and it is during an especially moving part of the show. I thought about it later and wished we could have experienced the visual effect straight on.
I am already planning my next trip to see this show and will try hard to get center seats. Isn't the student ticket discount wonderful? I'm just wondering if I'll be able to get an adjoining seat with my D who will go for a student ticket.</p>