"Live From Lincoln Center" presented the television premiere of the hit musical on Thursday, June 15th at 8:00 p.m. on PBS' New York station WNET 13, presented live from the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center Theater. It also aired at that time on the PBS stations of numerous cities, while some cities' stations have yet to air The Light in the Piazza (check local listings by visiting this link).With music and lyrics by Adam Guettel and book by Craig Lucas, The Light in the Piazza is the winner of six 2005 Tony Awards, including Best Score. Directed by Bartlett Sher, the lush romantic tale features Tony Award-winner Victoria Clark, Sarah Uriarte Berry, Michael Berresse, Katie Clarke, Patti Cohenour, Beau Gravitte, Aaron Lazar (recently cast as Enjolras in Les Miserables' return), and Chris Sarandon. The Light in the Piazza opened on April 18, 2005, and will end its 15-month run on July 2, 2006, prior to the commencement of a national tour.
Based on the 1960 novel by Elizabeth Spencer, The Light in the Piazza
takes place in Italy in the summer of 1953. "Margaret Johnson (Clark),
the wife of a well-heeled American businessman, is touring the Tuscan
countryside with her daughter, Clara (Clarke). Clara, a beautiful,
surprisingly childish young woman—, loses her hat in a sudden gust. As
if guided by an unseen hand, the hat lands at the feet of Fabrizio
Naccarelli (Lazar), a handsome Florentine, who returns it to Clara.
This brief episode, charged with coincidence and fate, sparks an
immediate and intense romance between Clara and Fabrizio. As their
relationship develops, the girl's mother must reveal the truth that
will surely test their love," state press notes."Live From Lincoln Center," hosted by Beverly Sills,
is currently in its 30th broadcast season. The series has received 12
Emmy Awards, including the 2005 Award for Outstanding Special Class
Program in the Creative Arts category for Stephen Sondheim's Passion. The
show is produced by Lincoln Center's John Goberman and directed by
Kirk Browning. "This series has made the world's greatest artists on
Lincoln Center's renowned stages accessible to home viewers in
virtually every corner of the United States. It remains the only series
of live telecast performances on American television today," state
press notes. Upcoming broadcasts include a 30th-anniversary special of
rarely-seen clips from the past on May 25, and the opening night
program of the 2006 Mostly Mozart Festival on August 2.
