Light on the Piazza
Sep 22nd, 2006, 05:05 AM
#7
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First of all, it's A Light IN the Piazza.
As for the enjoyment factor, women seem to enjoy more than men. (For example, my wife and the female half of our friends who went with us loved. We two men thought it was just "okay." And that seems to be a frequent pattern.)
As for the enjoyment factor, women seem to enjoy more than men. (For example, my wife and the female half of our friends who went with us loved. We two men thought it was just "okay." And that seems to be a frequent pattern.)
Sep 22nd, 2006, 05:14 AM
#8
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It's the first musical since West Side Story where I found myself listening to the orchestrations -- they are beautiful. But perhaps that's also because I wasn't so taken with what was going on onstage. Magnificent stylized scenery. Wonderful costumes except for the idea of the son of a wealthy haberdasher in Florence in the 1950's who has a shirt with unbuttoned cuffs hanging 4 inches too long -- what was that all about?
A few pretty songs (none that you'll be humming going out), but a rather predictable and simple plot and dialogue.
A few pretty songs (none that you'll be humming going out), but a rather predictable and simple plot and dialogue.
Sep 22nd, 2006, 05:35 AM
#9
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Thanks Howard and Neo,
Just the input I was looking for. I may go solo then. There's a front row center seat available now. It sounds like my guest may not be wowed by it - and I want to enjoy Tuscany by default that week without worrying about someone else!
PS - HowardR - that's what I get for posting so late at night. I also changed my computer password in the early am - and couldn't remember it for the longest time this morning. THAT was scary!
Just the input I was looking for. I may go solo then. There's a front row center seat available now. It sounds like my guest may not be wowed by it - and I want to enjoy Tuscany by default that week without worrying about someone else!
PS - HowardR - that's what I get for posting so late at night. I also changed my computer password in the early am - and couldn't remember it for the longest time this morning. THAT was scary!
Sep 22nd, 2006, 06:08 AM
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HowardR -JUST had that conversation with a customer (between posts). We just don't retain as much as we used to, do we?
It's a choice of front row center (solo) or East Bumblewad (for two). Since this is the closest I'm going to get to Tuscany for this milestone birthday, I'm going to treat myself in the middle of the week - and not worry if someone else is enjoying the show. I will be in heaven, I'm sure!
Sep 22nd, 2006, 09:17 AM
#15
I "saw" the Lincoln Center production on PBS and loved it. I did shed more than a few tears though, so was glad I was in the privacy of my own home! I can easily see why women might relate to it more than men, especially mothers, and mothers of daughters even more so. LOL Happy Birthday MsStarrs! Bring a hankie. The story line is simple but it didn't diminish it for me. Perhaps I especially needed a feel good story that day and from the sounds of FFRR, you might as well.
I can easily see why women might relate to it more than men, especially mothers, and mothers of daughters even more so. LOL Happy Birthday MsStarrs! Bring a hankie. The story line is simple but it didn't diminish it for me. Perhaps I especially needed a feel good story that day and from the sounds of FFRR, you might as well.
Sep 22nd, 2006, 09:45 AM
#16
I saw this with my daughter and my brother last year. We all thought the plot was extremely silly. For one thing, as my brother pointed out "What Italian family in the fifties would have a problem with a daughter-in-law- who was beautiful, childlike and compliant?" The music was forgettable IMO.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 01:13 PM
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I have only seen it on PBS, as I live on the other side of the country. The only reason it's not called an "opera" is that producers consider that word box-office poison. But that's really what it is. The music is beautiful, lushly orchestrated, and very much invokes the locale and emotions. The score is "unmemorable" and "unhummable" only because it's not made of simple 32-bar show tunes endlessly reprised. It becomes memorable after you've either seen it a few times (unfortunately more practical with a taped TV show than with costly theatre tickets) or listened to the even more luminous cast recording. Guettel is like Sondheim in that regard.
If you're looking for spectacular no-brainer entertainment, go elsewhere. But if you want an engaging, thoughtful play with great music (and you aren't averse to opera) it's well worth seeing. And it's not just for women.
If you're looking for spectacular no-brainer entertainment, go elsewhere. But if you want an engaging, thoughtful play with great music (and you aren't averse to opera) it's well worth seeing. And it's not just for women.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 01:41 PM
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I'm with you on this one, Neopolitan. A Light in the Piazza is far from being an opera.
And, sorry, JBHapgood, but I don't at all agree with you. It's a stretch--a big stretch--to equate Guettel with Sondheim. The former has a long way to go before reaching the Sondheim level of excellence!
And, sorry, JBHapgood, but I don't at all agree with you. It's a stretch--a big stretch--to equate Guettel with Sondheim. The former has a long way to go before reaching the Sondheim level of excellence!
