The Light in the Piazza begins previews at the Shaw Festival

“Someone could be looking for a someone like you.”

Media Release #21

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, July 4, 2013 . . . The sights and sounds of love come alive in The Shaw’s production of the Tony-award-winning musical The Light in the Piazza.

Director Jay Turvey reunites with the creative team from last season’s Trouble in Tahiti and brings the beauty and romantic enchantment of Florence to the Court House Theatre stage.

Beginning previews on July 4, this lush musical was written by Craig Lucas, with music and lyrics by Adam Guettel and based on the novella by Elizabeth Spencer.

Margaret (Patty Jamieson) and her daughter Clara (Jacqueline Thair) leave their secrets behind in North Carolina touring the Italian city of Florence in the early 1950s. As Margaret revels in the beauty and ambience of the city, Clara has a chance encounter with a handsome young local named Fabrizio (Jeff Irving). The two quickly fall in love; a whirlwind courtship ensues with marriage on the horizon. While a young woman discovers the first pangs of love, a mother is forced to reconsider, not only her daughter’s future, but her own deep seated hopes and regrets as well.

The score was called “the most intensely romantic … since West Side Story” (New York Times) and the story “doesn’t want theatre-goers to feel good; it wants them to feel deeply.  And it does.” (New Yorker) 

Winner of six Tony Awards, composer-lyricist Adam Guettel also wrote the musical Floyd Collins, which the Shaw Festival produced to huge acclaim in 2004. Guettel is also the grandson of esteemed theatrical composer Richard Rodgers.

Adam Guettel will be in conversation with Paul Sportelli, The Shaw’s music director, on August 9, 2013 at the Court House Theatre from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. (includes a Q&A with the audience). Tickets are $20. Call the Box Office to book or visit www.shawfest.com.

About The Light in the Piazza

July 4 – October 13; Opens: July 26

The Light in the Piazza is on stage at the Court House Theatre (26 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake).

The Light in the Piazza

Book by Craig Lucas; music and lyrics by Adam Guettel.

Produced by arrangement with Turner Entertainment Co., owner of the original motion picture Light in the Piazza.

Presented through special arrangement with R&H Theatricals (www.rnh.com).

Based on the novella by Elizabeth Spencer.

Cast (in alphabetical order):

Jeremy Carver-James             Juan Chioran                          Elodie Gillett                          Kaylee Harwood                     Jeff Irving                                Patty Jamieson                       Peter Millard                          Julain Molnar                         Jacqueline Thair                     Kelly Wong                             Shawn Wright

Waiter/Bellhop Signor Naccarelli Tour Guide/Servant Franca Naccarelli Fabrizio Naccarelli Margaret Johnson Priest Signora Naccarelli Clara Johnson Giuseppe Naccarelli Roy Johnson

Creative Team:

Jay Turvey                               Paul Sportelli                          Linda Garneau                                    Michael Gianfrancesco          Andrew Smith                        Ryan DeSouza                         Dora Tomassi                         Amy Jewell

Director Musical Director Choreographer Designer Lighting Designer Associate Conductor/Pianist Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager

The Shaw Festival’s 2013 season began April 3, runs until November 3 and features 10 productions presented on the Festival’s four Niagara-on-the-Lake stages. For more information on the 2013 season, performance schedule and ticket information, please visit www.shawfest.com or call 1-800-511-SHAW.

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The Shaw Festival is a theatre company inspired by the work of Bernard Shaw. We produce plays from and about his era and contemporary plays that share Shaw’s provocative exploration of society and celebration of humanity.