I first learned about "The Light in the Piazza" when I heard a snippet of "Say It Somehow," sung by original Broadway cast members Kelli O'Hara and Matthew Morrison. I bought the recording and fell head over heels in love with both the story and the music. There is something so relevant and so heartwarming about this wonderful show that pulls you right into the characters' world.
Based on a novella written by Elizabeth Spencer, the story is set in post-war, 1950's Italy. It follows a wealthy American named Margaret Johnson (played by a vibrant Victoria Clark, who captured a Tony Award for this role) and her grown-up daughter (Katie Rose Clarke) on vacation. Margaret is extremely overprotective of her beautiful, child-like Clara. When Clara falls in love with a handsome Florentine named Fabrizio (Aaron Lazar), Margaret must learn to overcome her fears and her own disappointments in love to allow her daughter a chance at happiness.
Above all, this is a story devoted to every kind of love, including the love of a mother for the daughter she cannot protect forever, the fading love between a husband and wife, and the intoxicating love of two young people who have just met. There is a theme of loss and renewal that echoes throughout and is summarized beautifully with Margaret's ending ballad: "Can you find in the wide, wide world that someone sees, that someone loves you? Love, love, love if you can, my Clara. Love if you can and be loved. May it last forever."
Victoria Clark is superb as the devoted mother, playing the role with grace and feeling. You can hear her joy and pain in every note of her ringing soprano.
A fabulous performance is given by Aaron Lazar, who looks and sounds exactly like a young, infatuated Italian. Had he played Fabrizio in the original cast, he probably would have won the Tony.
The ensemble cast is also noteworthy, from the wry Signor Nacarelli (Chris Sarandon) to the cynical Franca (Sarah Uriarte Berry).
I would have given this a 10 out of 10 had there been a stronger Clara. Katie Rose Clarke does a great job portraying the emotions of this complex character, but it's often painfully obvious that her voice is not up to par. The role of Clara is tough to sing and requires an actress who can perform it vocally. It's true that original cast member Kelli O'Hara left some pretty big shoes to fill. Clarke does the best that she can, however, and manages to make up for a lot with her expressive face and interpretation of Clara.
All in all, with its deeply moving love story, fantastic performances, and gorgeous lyrical music (composed by Adam Guettel, the grandson of Richard Rodgers of Rodgers and Hammerstein fame), this is a musical that is not to be missed.
9/10
