The Light in the Piazza Luminates L.A.'s Ahmanson Theatre

Never have I been this exhausted after seeing a musical.  So exhausted in fact that the last thing I thought I would do was to sit down and write about this musical experience the moment I got home.  I can't think of the last time that a musical affected me so deeply that it was almost haunting.

The story, based on a novella by Elizabeth Spencer seems like a simple love story– a naïve young American girl falls in love with a young Italian man while on vacation in Italy with her mother.   What seems like a pretty straight forward and simple storyline slowly becomes more layered and intricate. This plot line, we discover is a complicated emotional exploration into not only within the 7 characters in the show but how each of their lives intersect with each other. I was struck by the juxtaposition of the plot's sheer simplicity and the deep and complex emotion that it drew from every character.

What really makes this show so emotional though is the character theatre-goers sometimes forget as the real leading character, that being the music.  From the very first time I heard Adam Guettel's score, I knew that his work was different.  He not only effectively sets the musical landscape to tell a story, but really gives a soul to his score.  As a member of the audience, you know the story takes place in Italy, but you don't just notice it, you feel it.  The music in this case doesn't enhance the story or the actors, but is another voice and the heart and soul of all the characters.  Guettel's lush score is as emotional as it is beautiful and is both demanding and imposing on the emotions of the listener as it is soft, heartfelt and exciting.  I don' t know if I can think of another modern score as beautiful as that of the romantic intricate lush work that exudes love on every level and in every form whether it be between parent and child or man and woman.

The evening that I saw Piazza, the music and lyrics hit me straight in the heart and was as much about the fragility of love as anything I've ever seen. Over the course of the two hours the show filled my heart with love, cracked it a little, made me feel slightly hopeless and then rebuilt it again. When the show was over, as with real life and love, I was exhausted, but more in love with the show than I was before. It was the most beautiful musical I think I've seen to date and the most meaningful.

I was highly impressed by the caliber of acting and singing from the entire touring ensemble of The Light in the Piazza – no easy feat since I've never been overly impressed by touring casts.  As Margaret Johnson, Christine Andreas had big shoes to fill (could anyone really pull off this role as Tony Winner Victoria Clark?).  Well, Andreas did a convincing job as the overprotective but loving mother of Clara Johnson portrayed beautifully by Elena Shaddow.  I think it's easy to over-act the fragile Clara, however Shaddow incorporated her naivety with just the right amount of innocent curiosity.  

While I thought David Burnham was a strong Fabrizio Naccarelli, I was particularly moved by his performance of "Love to Me."  The incorporation of this song was by far the the sweetest, most loving gesture I've ever seen on stage.  As Fabrizio sings this to Clara, I literally felt my heart open up, feeling hopeful not only for these characters but in life in general. This hopefulness reminded me of how much we need love, any kind of love – to be loved, to express love and to love others. It wasn't only about love though, it was about acceptance for the way we are, what we can and can't help.

Adam Guettel is a genius. He was able to take this storyline and finds a way to masterfully manipulate the listener with this music that flows through the ears and into the heart.   Without a doubt, this was hands down, the best touring production of a musical I have seen to date.

The Light in the Piazza is directed by Bartlett Sher with book by Craig Lucas, music & lyrics by Adam Guettel runs through December 10 at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center.  For performance schedule and ticket information, go to: Center Theatre Group.