WCC’s take on an Italian classic
Westminster sheds light on trials of romance, family relationships and responsibility in its newest musical, The Light in the Piazza, premiering tonight in The Playhouse.
The musical follows Margaret Johnson (senior Christine Callahan) and her daughter Clara (senior Chantelle Vienneau) in 1953 as they travel to Florence, Italy, and immediately run into trouble. Clara falls for the charming Fabrizio (senior Alexander Pimentel), and her mother is faced with a decision: allow her daughter to bask in her happiness or reveal a secret about her past that would destroy it.
All three of the main characters are senior music theater majors. Johnson and Pimentel study voice under the direction of Carolann Page, and Vienneau studies under Kate Johnson.
The Light in the Piazza is award-winning by every standard. The show itself has won a Tony Award, and this production is directed by Rosemary Andress, who is a Lincoln Center Directors’ Lab member and a David Merrick Theater Award recipient. The music director is Louis F. Goldberg, who has conducted more than 300 musical productions in the United States and Europe.
The musical is based on a novel by Craig Lucas, with music and lyrics composed by Adam Guettel.
The Light in the Piazza is being performed in The Playhouse on the Westminster campus on Oct. 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. (both sold out) and Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors, and can be purchased by phone at (609) 921-2663 or online at www.rider.edu/arts.
