jgoforth.com | we(b log)

The Light in the Piazza

I don’t get to see actual professional shows very often, but this past Saturday, at the last minute, I ended up deciding to go along with a group to see The Light in the Piazza. I could not have made a better choice, in either my decision to go to the show, or my making that decision at the last minute. Once again, my procrastination ultimately worked in my favor. My getting my tickets the afternoon before the performance, I ended up with a seat on the front row, and not only that but towards the stage left side of the front row. This certainly isn’t always my favorite place to sit, but for this particular show and in that particular venue, this seat put me about 4 feet from a large amount of that action, but still let me see the whole stage without turning my head. I really think it was that position that helped me enjoy the show as much as I did (more on that in a minute).

The basic idea of this show is a girl and her mother on vacation in Italy, wherein the girl meets a boy, etc etc, yadda, yadda. I went to the show knowing basically nothing about it, and thought that was a great way to do, so I shall say nothing else of the plot. It should be noted that a significant amount of speech, and some of the songs are in Italian, as everyone speaks whatever language they would naturally be speaking. My time in Spain really got me used to watching shows in languages I don’t understand, so I didn’t really even notice how much wasn’t in English until someone pointed out to me. It was also quite funny, but not in the rolling laughing type of funny. It was more like the “makes me giddy with enjoyment” type funny.
I really enjoyed the show and would happily recommend it, but with a small warning. There were 8 people in my group, though because of getting tickets we sat all around the theatre. Four people were in the rear-center of the floor seating. The other four of us were scattered around the first 10 rows or so. The group in the back did not really like the show. They complained about it being boring and slow. Those of us closer to the stage really enjoyed it. Now whether that has to do with the people or the placement I can’t say. I will say you should not expect big musical numbers. Piazza is really more of a play where the characters sing their lines some times instead of talking. So yeah, there you go: my musical review of the year.