The Youngstown Playhouse is announcing auditions for its fourth and final main stage production of the 2019-2020 season, the Tony Award winning musical “The Light in the Piazza.”

Auditions will be held on Sunday, March 1 at 5:00 pm, and Monday, March 2 at 6:00 pm at The Youngstown Playhouse (600 Playhouse Lane, 44511). Produced in collaboration with YSU's Department of Theatre and Dance and the Dana School of Music, the production will be directed by Matthew Mazuroski, with musical direction by Maria Fenty Denison, and Kivie Cahn-Lipman conducting.

With music and lyrics written by Richard Rodgers’ grandson, Adam Guettel, “The Light in the Piazza” premiered at Lincoln Center in NYC in 2005, winning six Tony Awards, including one for Guettel's opulent romantic score. Set in the summer of 1953, the plot concerns mother and daughter Margaret and Clara Johnson and their vacation together in Italy, where unexpected love changes both their lives. With soaring operatic melodies that set it apart from most contemporary musical theatre, “The Light in the Piazza” is a story about mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, and the deeply intertwined emotions of love and loss.

Principal singing roles are as follows: Margaret Johnson (middle age); Clara Johnson (a young mid-twenties); Fabrizio Naccarelli (20 and Italian); Giuseppe Naccarelli (early twenties); Franca Naccarelli (late teens-early twenties); Signor Naccarelli (middle age); and Signora Naccarelli (middle age).  A few featured roles for males are also available, and the show requires a small singing ensemble of varying ages.  Preferential consideration will be given to Dana School of Music students in casting the roles of Clara and Fabrizio.

Auditioners are encouraged to prepare two contrasting, contemporary 1-minute spoken monologues, and may be asked to read from the “Piazza” script.  Also, vocalists will be asked to sing a 1-minute or 32-bar excerpt from the “Piazza” score (anything considered a solo section).  An accompanist will be on hand at the auditions.  A more complete breakdown of character requirements is available on the Playhouse’s Facebook event page.

Performances of “The Light in the Piazza” are Fridays, May 1 and 8 at 7:30 pm; Saturdays, May 2 and 9 at 7:30 pm; and Sundays, May 3 and 10 at 2:30 pm at The Youngstown Playhouse.  For more information, please contact the Playhouse at 330-788-8739 or at youngstown_ph@att.net.