Davine Interventionz proudly presents The Light in the Piazza, book by Craig Lucas, music and lyrics written by Adam Guettel, directed by Hayley Horton, and on stage for Adelaide Fringe February 24 to March 5, 2016.
A mother’s need to protect her daughter comes in conflict with her desire to set her free into life, love, and happiness. To quote producer David Gauci The Light In The Piazza is “as delicious as a musical gets. It proves that love truly can conquer all”.
Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Original Score, The Light in the Piazza whisks audiences away to 1950’s Italy to experience a soaring tale of passion, forgiveness, and love.
Margaret Johnson, a mother escaping her crumbling marriage, travels to Tuscany with her daughter Clara. When a handsome young Florentine captures Clara’s heart, Margaret must decide if she’ll risk revealing truths that could threaten her daughter’s happiness.
Hailed as “astonishing,” “intensely romantic,” and “breathtaking”, The Light in the Piazza has redefined the modern American musical.
A celebration of life and love in every sense, The Light in the Piazza is not just about a girl falling in love with a boy; it is a story of a mother’s love for her daughter, a girl’s love affair with Italy, and two families learning to love each other despite their differences.
Some characters speak almost exclusively in Italian, harmonizing with American Southern English, creating what is the only fully bilingual musical in the American canon. The two languages mix and meld to create a rich sonic landscape that lifts the heart and enlivens the senses. Audiences will be whisked away into “La Dolce Vita,” or the Sweet Life, the Italian sensibility that encourages long sunset strolls, decadent food and wine, and of course, falling in love as deeply and often as possible.
The Light in the Piazza departs from the 21st century pop-musicals that Davine Interventionz has produced over the past four years and embraces Guettel’s neo-Romantic musical composition, unexpected harmonic shifts, and extended melodic structures.
This time Davine’s founder David Gauci, (award winning director of the 2014 Adelaide Fringe hit Xanadu – the musical), hands the reigns of direction over to Hayley Horton ([title of show], You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Little Women, etc.), to focus on set and costume design. Musical direction is in the hands of Peter Johns (Next to Normal, [title of show], Songs For A New World, Into the Woods, etc.) who recently collaborated with David Gauci on the critically acclaimed The Story Of My Life.
The principal cast includes Kirstin Stefanoff , from the award winning production of Young Frankenstein, in the role of Clara, and Lindsay Prodea, from the award winning productions of Xanadu and Drowsy Chaperone, in the role of Fabrizio along with Andy Trimmings (Giuseppe), Lisa Simmonetti (Franca) and Tim Blackshaw (Roy).
Davine is also thrilled to announce the return to Adelaide stage of Katie Packer in the pivotal role of Margaret. Completing the lead cast is popular Adelaide Operatic Tenor, David Visentin in the role of Signor Nacerelli, and Soprano Irene Sutton as Signora Nacerelli.
The Light in the Piazza takes the stage at Star Theatre One – February 24 though to March 5, 2016. Star Theatre is located at 145 Sir Donald Bradman Drive. Performances are at 7.30 p.m. with an additional 2 p.m. Matinee on Saturday March 5. Tickets can be purchased through Adelaide Fringe Website/ FringeTIX www.adelaidefringe.com.au