[NEohioPAL] Light in the Piazza: Final three performances of Lakeland Theatre's professional premiere

Martin Friedman martinfriedman98 at gmail.com
Fri Feb 14 09:24:56 PST 2014


*The Light in the Piazza*

*"Against all odds, despite the risks and challenges, and in Italian
without subtitles, Lakeland Civic Theatre does a masterful job of
presenting this simple yet dramatic story, doing justice to what the New
York Times labeled the most romantic score since "West Side Story."*

*Yes, the holiday romance angle in this novel-turned-film-turned-musical is
far from novel, and the show's core storyline bears too much resemblance to
a Latin American telenovela. But director Friedman, musical director Jordan
Cooper and designers Trad A Burns (scenic and lighting), Stephanie Fisher
(costume) and Eric Simna (sound) take all that is big, broad and imposing
in the original and transform it into a thoroughly charming, delightfully
intimate theatrical experience.*


*Grand scenic design is reduced to romanticized impressions of Italy,
reflected in ceiling-to-floor drapes and standalone set pieces of paper
covered in Leonardo da Vinci's hand-drawn sketches of ancient archways,
columns and cathedrals."  Bob Ableman, Cleveland Jewish News*


*"Musical theater is surprisingly unforgiving. Audiences are far more
likely to recognize a squeaking sour note than they are the barking clamor
of a bad actor in Shakespeare. So it is to this cast's credit that under
the excellent musical direction of Jordan Cooper and the sensitive and
intelligent leadership of Martin Friedman, the notes and most key moments
of The Light in the Piazza at Lakeland Civic Theatre weave together like
silver strings in a fairy's pavilion." *    *Tom Fulton, Scene Magazine*

*"I must say that I [was] emotionally transformed and artistically
empowered after watching the performance of The Light in the Piazza at
Lakeland Civic Theatre last night. . . . [It was] executed with powerful
grace and beauty under the direction of  Dr. Martin Friedman and the
sublime Musical Direction of Jordan Cooper.. . .I am taken in by the set
and lighting masterfully interpreted by Trad A. Burns [using] hanging
muslin and iconic architecture accenting the stage [through] the drawings
and works of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. . . .All of it is bathed
in a wash of light reminiscent of Italian Lemon Ice."* * Kevin Kelly TPOG
Blog*



*"Lakeland's glorious production is perfectly honed by director Martin
Friedman. He lets the story unfold without any gimmicks. No forced comedy,
no attempts at bad Italian to get guffaws, no melodramatic acting. He lets
his talented cast perform as the script and score demand...in a
straight-forward manner, with fine southern American, Italian, and
Italian-English sounds. . . . Trad Burns' artistic set, consisting of long
streamers of natural colored muslin painted with ancient Italian motifs,
and straight-forward lighting, enhance the simple beauty of the show.
Jordan Cooper's musical direction allows the vocals to overpower the
orchestra sounds, thus placing the words front and center. . . The Lakeland
cast is universally superb. " **   Roy Berko The News Herald*

 Lakeland Civic Theatre announces
*A beautiful and compelling play*
*The Light in the Piazza*
Book by Craig Lucas
Music and Lyrics by Adam Guettel
*A Northeast Ohio professional premiere*
  Directed by Martin Friedman
Set and Lighting Design by Trad A Burns
Musical Direction by Jordan Cooper
Costumes Designed by Stephanie Fisher
Sound Designed by Eric Simna

  *The Cast:*
*Margaret Johnson*: *Sandra Emerick* (AEA)*
*Clara Johnson*: *Lindsey Leonard*
*Fabrizio Naccarelli*: *Shane Partrick O'Neil*
*Signor Naccarelli*:  *Rob Albrecht*
*Franca Naccarelli*:  *Neely Gavaart*
*Guieseppi Naccarelli*: *Eric Francher*
*Signore Naccarelli*: *Liz Huff*
*Roy Johnson*:   *Michael Rogan*
*The Priest*: *Brian Mueller*.
*The Ensemble*: *Elisha Mueller, Erin McManus, Antoinette Kila, Jacki
Komos, Anna White, Vanessa Pintabona, Anna White, Stephanie Harden, Johanna
Regan*

*Production Dates:*
The Light in the Piazza *will open on Friday, January 31 and run through
February16, 2014:*
 *Friday February 14 @ 7:30pm*
*Saturday, February 15 @ 7:30pm*
*Sunday, February 16 @ 2:00pm*
*Tickets: *
*$15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $7 for all students. For ticket
reservations and information call 440-525-7134 or contact Martin Friedman
at martinfriedman98 at gmail.com <martinfriedman98 at gmail.com>.*

*Directions: Take I 90 east and get off at Rt.#306. Turn right (south) on
#306. At the first light turn left into Lakeland Community College. Get in
the right lane. At the first stop sign turn right. At the next stop sign
turn right again. Then turn left into the Faculty/Staff parking lot. Head
back toward the school. The theatre is to the left past the clocktower.
Plenty of free parking. *
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