Renee Fleming Glows In “The Light In The Piazza”

Renee Fleming Glows In “The Light In The Piazza”
By Wes & Anna Hessel

Scenario Two’s production at the Lyric Opera House of the Tony Award-winning musical “The Light in the Piazza” is a sterling example of the performance of a show which straddles the operatic and Broadway sides of the equation – both elements are given equal, excellent due, and the result is a masterpiece of music, mirth, and moments.

The musical, about a mom and her daughter on vacation in Italy in 1953, and her emotionally estranged husband, is sung in both English and Italian. The legendary Renee Fleming plays mother Margaret with flawless elegance; her vocals and stage presence are stellar. But this is not to say the rest of the cast is not up to the class – Solea Pfeiffer as the girl child Clara is stirring in her portrayal of a young woman who is supposed to have limitations but wants to spread her wings, and Alex Jennings’ Signor Naccarelli is positively paternal, passionate, and priceless. The interactions between Margaret and Clara and the Naccarellis, whose son Fabrizio (Rob Houchen, performing admirably as the romantic who sees only through love) has captured the romantic interest of the daughter, are both heartfelt and humourous with intense drama in the mix – the relationship with this Italian family brings enlightenment for both mother and daughter.

The backdrop to this is Robert Jones’ gorgeous set, lovingly lit by Mark Henderson, with the cast clothed in perfect period costumes by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, moving marvelously as choreographed by Lucy Hind, and heard through the significant sound of Kai Harada. All is mastered magnificently by director Daniel Evans, making “The Light in the Piazza” a once-in-a-lifetime must-see event. For tickets or more information, please go to lightinthepiazzathemusical.com

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