Ithaca College Theatre Presents The Light in the Piazza

Ithaca College Theatre will present its fall musical "The Light in the Piazza," which is based on a novella by ElizaBeth Spencer. "Piazza" features a book by Craig Lucas ("Reckless," "Prelude to a Kiss") and music and lyrics by Adam Guettel ("Floyd Collins"). Performances will run Nov. 1, 3, 5, 9, 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 6 and 12 at 2 p.m. All performances are located in the Hoerner Theatre in Dillingham Center.

Ticket prices for "The Light in the Piazza" range from $5.50 to $11 and are on sale at all Ticket Center outlets, including Ticket Center Ithaca on The Commons or the Dillingham Center box office. Call (607) 273-4497, (607) 274-3224 or visit www.ithacaevents.com. Visit www.ithaca.edu/hs/depts/theatre/mainstage/ for further information. Also, follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ICTheatreArts and Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ICTheatreArts

"The Light in the Piazza" follows Americans Clara Johnson and her mother Margaret on a trip to Florence, Italy, in 1953. These women seek a change of pace and find beauty in everything the city has to offer, but nothing has prepared them for their chance meeting with a young Italian man. An instantaneous connection forms between Clara and Fabrizio Naccarelli, and the fire is fueled as the two repeatedly meet throughout the city, much to the dismay of Mrs. Johnson. But both Clara and her mother are instantly drawn to the welcoming Naccarelli family and forced to face the tension created by differing familial values and well-kept secrets. An operatic musical score drives the action forward as the young couple works to surmount every obstacle in their path toward happiness.

This story explores the true meaning of beauty and the power of love through, and sometimes in spite of, complex family relationships. Italian songs and dialogue place us in 1953 Florence and help us explore complex relationships. Director Susannah Berryman says, "The characters passionately seek and find abundant beauty, and the music in the play delivers that beauty to us." This passion sets in motion a series of events that will forever change the lives of both families.

"The Light in the Piazza" is directed by associate professor of theatre arts Susannah Berryman and choreographed by associate professor Mary Corsaro. The music director is assistant professor of music performance Brian DeMaris. The production is designed by Charlotte Vosseler '12 (scenic), Grace O'Malley '12 (costumes), Tyler Perry '12 (lighting), and associate professor of theatre arts Don Tindall (sound). Morgan Goldstein '12 is the dramaturg, Jessie Jardon '12 is the stage manager and Andrew Trow '12 is the technical director.

The cast of "The Light in the Piazza" includes Danny Bristoll '12, Nicholas Carroll '14, Miles Crosman '12, Joe DePietro '13, Katie Drinkard '14, Hannah Dubner '12, Andres Feliz '15, Josh Johnston '13, Andrew Karl '12, Rebecca Kuznick '13, Bruce Landry '12, Danny Lindgren '12, Matt Madden '15, Alyssa Magarian '14, Mary Malaney '12, Hannah Richter '14, Celeste Rose '13, Ariella Serur '14, AlAnna Smith '14, Grace Stockdale '14, and TJ Wagner '14.

A nationally recognized professional theater-training program, the Department of Theatre Arts attracts students from across the United States. Throughout the production season, undergraduate students present all aspects of theater in a professional model.

Dillingham Center accommodates all patrons. Individuals with special needs are asked to contact (607) 274-3224 to request accommodations as soon as possible.