Review: 'The Light in the Piazza'

 

Something very special is happening at the Berkeley Street Theatre, where Mitchell Marcus and his Acting Upstage Company are presenting the Canadian premiere of the Adam Guettel-Craig Lucas musical The Light in the Piazza.

This is one of those productions that exceeds expectations on every level. It is so perfectly cast, so well sung and acted and so beautifully staged that to miss it would be a crime.

Look for Acting Upstage to score some Dora nominations this spring. Leading the way should be Patty Jamieson who leaves no stone unturned, exploring every nuance as the mother struggling to ensure the happiness of her special daughter. The role of Margaret Johnson is a tour-de-force for any actress, but Jamieson brilliantly manages to create a complex characterization that is endlessly fascinating to watch.

As the developmentally challenged daughter, Clara, Jacquelyn French takes us on a journey of discovery as she learns about the power of love in the sweetly unusual story.  She possesses (arguably) the finest voice of the cast and makes the title song especially rewarding.

The show is another triumph in a long list of performances by Jeff Lillico. Here he plays Fabrizio, the young Italian boy who meets and falls in love with Clara. Lillico has been concentrating on dramatic roles the past few years so it’s an extra pleasure to hear him sing again. He is passionate, tender and emotional, everything in fact that Fabrizio should be.

He also has to deliver much of his text in Italian as do Juan Chioran as his father, Christina Gordon as his mother and Tracy Michalidis as his sister-in-law. It’s a testament to these performers and to dialect coach Anna Maria Grossi that all make Italian sound like their first language.

The amount of Italian may throw some people off at first, but even if you don’t understand the language just watch the performers: The intent is abundantly clear through Rob McQueen’s passionate staging.

There is special beauty in Jonathan Munro’s sensitive musical direction utilizing Adam Guettel’s revised orchestration for a five-piece chamber ensemble. The harp is the star of this orchestra, but all the players blend to create a rich tapestry of sound. Best of all, the cast performs without amplification.

The only downside to all of this is that the show cannot be extended, as the theatre is already booked with another performance, so you have until February 21 to see it. 

 I cannot stress this enough: DO NOT miss The Light in the Piazza.

The Light in the Piazza plays Thursdays thru Sundays at the Berkeley Street Theatre to February 21. Tickets are available at www.lightinthepiazza.ca or by calling the Canstage box office at 416-368-3110.

 

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