Ken Krugman, Nicholas Rodriguez, Ariela Morgenstern and Mary Gutzi. Photo by Scott Suchman.
The Light in the Piazza is a beautiful love story, so well told and with such genuine feeling that it will make audiences reaffirm their belief in the potential of love. Set in 1950s Florence, this is the story of Margaret Johnson and her special daughter Clara who falls in love with the Florentine Fabrizio Naccarelli. Their love is haunted by a secret in Clara’s past, a secret that binds mother and daughter together, but which must be overcome for both to move forward in life.
Hollis Resnik plays Margaret, Clara’s mother who is overprotective, but who wants so badly to believe in her daughter and in the miraculous power of love. Resnik anchored the production with her portrayal of motherly love that is brave, hopeful and allows her to rediscover her own heart while learning how to let go of Clara.
Margaret Anne Florence plays Clara with such freshness and innocence that we are charmed alongside Nicholas Rodriguez’s Fabrizio. He is sensitive, passionate and strong. Both performances were phenomenal, their voices full of emotion that moved the audience.
Rounding out the cast were the suave and charming father and son duo Ken Krugman, as Signor Naccarelli, and Jonathan Raviv as Giuseppe; fiery mother and daughter-in-law Mary Gutzi, as Signora Naccarelli, and Ariela Morgenstern, as Franca Naccarelli; as well as Thomas Adrian Simpson, Jennifer Irons, Drew Eshelman and Michael Vitaly Savonov.
The Light in the Piazza is a sweet, utterly charming play that is lends itself to the intimacy of the Arena Stage. For more information and for tickets visit their website.
Book by Craig Lucas, music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, directed by Molly Smith, music direction by Paul Sportelli, musical staging and choreography by Parker Esse, set design by Anne Patterson, costume design by Linda J. Cho, lighting design by Michael Gilliam, sound design by Timothy M. Thompson, musicians included Paul Sportelli, Bruno Nasta, Deb Milan Brudvig, Kate Rogers, and Dan Hall.
