Light in the Piazza at Eli and Edythe Broad Stage

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2. Light in the Piazza

While sightseeing in Florence, 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, a handsome Florentine, who returns it to Clara. Thus begins THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA – intensely romantic, lushly musical, and written in an intimate style that is both contemporary and timeless. With music and lyrics by Adam Guettel and a book by Craig Lucas, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA is the winner of six Tony® Awards, including Best Musical Score.  Musical Theatre Guild, a Southern California theatre institution that has distinguished itself by focusing on the story, script, and music of lesser-known musicals, presents THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA for one night only – Sunday, September 29th, 2024, 7:00 PM – at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica, CA. Tickets are available at musicaltheatreguild.com.

Composer Adam Guettel has a weighty family lineage on his shoulders: his mother was composer Mary Rodgers, of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS and FREAKY FRIDAY fame, and his grandfather was the legendary Richard Rodgers. With THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, Guettel takes the musical theatre art form in a bold direction of his own, with glorious songs that make this musical passionately romantic and moving. THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA was one of the most memorable Broadway musicals of the 2005 season, running more than 500 performances.  Musical Theatre Guild focuses their concert productions on the shows themselves, presenting the music and stories as simply as possible, performed by some of the finest musical theatre performers in the area - which makes the company uniquely positioned to bring this challenging musical to life.

“Musical Theatre Guild has always been about getting to the core of the material - telling the story and presenting the music, in order to show what’s special about the work,” says Paul Wong, Guild member who serves as the show’s Production Coordinator. “We do it script-in-hand, stripping away production elements so that the audience can really get a sense of the shows themselves. With THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, we’re putting on a show that received the highest acclaim for its score.” Adds Wong, “Our talented Guild members are a great match for this particular show, and the audience will enjoy the journey as well.”

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA will be directed by Kirsten Chandler, who has helmed many of Musical Theatre Guild’s most memorable productions. Joining Chandler on the creative team is Musical Director Brad Ellis.  Leesa Freed serves as the Production Manager.

Musical Theatre Guild is populated by many of Southern California’s finest Musical Theatre performers, many with Broadway and touring credits. The cast of THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA includes Guild members Kim Huber (Margaret), Valerie Larsen (Clara), Gabriel Navarro (Fabrizio), Tal Fox (Franca), Will Collyer (Giuseppe), Robert Yacko (Signor), Eydie Alyson (Signora), Brent Schindele (Roy) and Maura M. Knowles and David Zack (Ensemble). This talented company will come together for a 25-hour rehearsal period with the express purpose of bringing to life Broadway’s forgotten gems, lesser-known shows, and musicals that are rarely performed in the community.

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA will perform at the beautiful Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, part of the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, in Santa Monica. The venue is a modern, state-of-the-art theatre, and features plentiful free parking right outside the theatre. 

Adding to the evening, Musical Theatre Guild will partner with Tectonic Coffee, who will provide coffee and goodies for purchase before the show and at intermission.  Co-owned by Guild member Chelsea Morgan Stock and located in West Hollywood, Tectonic Coffee uses direct trade and long-standing partnerships to ensure that every bean is ethically sourced and meticulously selected for its flavor. They pay above fair-trade prices, guaranteeing sustainable relationships with their growers. Audience members who arrive early can share an upscale coffee experience with their friends.

In addition to its productions, Musical Theatre Guild is committed to inspiring and developing the next generations of theatre artists and audiences. To that end, the Guild’s Youth Outreach Programs will continue, expanding into the Westside community, bringing local high school students to the live theatre performances, as well as offering mentorships to theatre students who shadow theatre professionals behind the scenes of the productions. As a non-profit organization, Musical Theatre Guild relies on donations and community support, and will soon announce other performance and fundraising events for the 2024-2025 season, to complement the mainstage season.

For anyone who believes in the miracle of true love, the unique beauty of music, and the transformative power of theatre, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA is waiting for you. Be part of Musical Theatre Guild’s 2024-2025 Season of romance and farce, nostalgia and insight, all set to some of the most beautiful music of the American theatre, with THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA!

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA performs on Sunday, September 29th, 2024 at 7:00 PM, and takes place at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, located at 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA. Ticket prices range from $39-$69. Ticket information is available online at www.musicaltheatreguild.com.  The Musical Theatre Guild 2024-2025 Mainstage Season concludes with THE DROWSY CHAPERONE on Sunday, March 23rd, 2025. Both productions will feature ASL access for deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons. Student Rush and Actors’ Equity member discounts will be available at the box office on show day with appropriate ID. Discounts and guaranteed seating are available for those who purchase both THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at www.musicaltheatreguild.com.  Additional productions and performance events will take place throughout the year.  Go to www.musicaltheatreguild.com to learn more, and to sign up for the Guild’s email list.

Your ticket purchase and donation help Musical Theatre Guild to continue producing the rarely seen Broadway works you love to see year after year.

Musical Theatre Guild is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership company of theatre professionals, devoted to preserving the unique American art form of musical theatre by presenting seldom-seen musicals in a staged reading concert format. MTG’s Youth Outreach Program takes specially prepared live performances into Southern California schools, brings hundreds of local high school students to live theatre performances and offers mentorships to theatre students who shadow our professionals behind the scenes of mainstage productions. All Musical Theatre Guild mainstage productions are signed for deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons.