If you need a study break, your first thought might not be to go see a musical. But even if you’re not a Glee devotee, or a closet fan of High School Musical, there’s something undeniably heartwarming about seeing a cast of characters unrealistically break into song — especially live. The Light in the Piazza, while trite at times, is entertaining and surprisingly fresh in many ways.
Based on the common fantasy of young Americans finding love in Europe, the musical features a southern mother and daughter, Margaret and Clara, on vacation in Florence, Italy in the summer of 1953. The beautiful blonde Clara meets the dashing Fabrizio Naccarelli in the Piazza della Signoria. A sappy romance ensues. You can guess how it ends.
Some plot twists, however, and a few unexpected characteristics, keep it interesting. The set’s minimalism showcases the underlying motif of light, which seems to radiate from the center of the stage through much of the show. And the real star of the show, the most complex and interesting character, turns out to be Margaret. She shields her daughter from the ensuing Italian romance for reasons later made clear, and her interaction with the Italian suitor’s father, Signor Naccarelli, is both sweet and funny.
The musical omits dancing, keeping the focus on song and lending the performance itself to a sort of opera-musical hybrid, especially because the Naccarelli family speaks and sings in Italian for the most part — an unexpected and enjoyable detail. The music itself, especially the duets, showcases complex harmonies and interesting lyrics manage to keep cliché themes in check.
Musical fans and skeptics alike should definitely see this multiple Tony Award-winner. The Philadelphia Theatre Company brings it to life in a charming way, and its popularity has the show's run time extended an extra week.
Info Box:
Performances through December 13
Suzanne Roberts Theatre
480 S. Broad St. (Broad & Lombard)
$10 Student Rush tickets with valid IDTak
