Lovely 'Piazza' lights up Marriott Theatre

Fans of sophisticated musical theater rejoice! "The Light in the Piazza" shines anew in an emotionally enriching production at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.

As with many complex works, "The Light in the Piazza" proves to be even more fulfilling on a second or third viewing. And Chicago-area audiences have had excellent opportunities to be exposed to this radiant and unconventionally romantic musical by composer/lyricist Adam Guettel ("Floyd Collins") and playwright Craig Lucas ("Prelude to a Kiss").

Following a 2003 run at Seattle's Intiman Theatre, "The Light in the Piazza" played an important 2004 engagement at Chicago's Goodman Theatre. The musical underwent more changes and improvements when it triumphantly transferred to Broadway in 2005, going on to win six Tony Awards (including one for Best Original Score). A national tour of "Piazza" later finished its run in July 2007 at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.

Now at the Marriott, "Piazza" mostly benefits from director Joe Leonardo's intimate in-the-round staging. You really get to be up close and personal with the characters as they navigate through a clash of cultures and the touchy subject of love.

Based on Elizabeth Spencer's 1960 novella, "The Light in the Piazza" focuses on wealthy American tourist Margaret Johnson (Mary Ernster) and her beautiful grown daughter, Clara (Summer Smart). Touring Italy in the summer of 1953, Clara catches the eye of a handsome and love-struck Florentine named Fabrizio Naccarelli (Max Quinlan).

Fabrizio ardently pursues Clara, even enlisting the help of family members who have a better command of English.

Clara, too, is enchanted by Fabrizio. Yet as we soon discover from Margaret, there are a few painful roadblocks that could (and logically, should) thwart this budding romance.

Watching Margaret journey from overprotective opposition to soul-searching acceptance of her daughter's sudden love is what helps makes "The Light in the Piazza" so compelling. Marriott cast members definitely live up to the challenges of this near-operatic material and perform it with plenty of panache.

Ernster might not banish memories of Victoria Clark, who won Jeff and Tony Awards in originating the role of Margaret. But Ernster certainly brings a dignified complexity to Margaret that can be equally heartbreaking (especially during telephone exchanges with Michael Accardo as her emotionally distant husband, Roy).

As Clara, Smart beautifully gets across the childlike innocence of her character. She sings gorgeously, too (though Smart had a couple of minor intonation issues on opening night with her rangy solo "The Beauty Is").

As Fabrizio, Quinlan gets to show off his powerful voice, particularly in his all-Italian song of loving enrapture "Il Mondo Era Vuoto."

Gene Weygandt takes a less domineering (if still effective) approach to the suave Signor Naccarelli (Fabrizio's father) than some of his predecessors in the role, while Paula Scrofano gets solid laughs in her brief appearances as the mother, particularly in the amusingly over-dramatic Act II opener "Aiutami".

Rounding out the cast are strong turns by Jennifer T. Grubb as sister-in-law Franca (who sings the astringent "The Joy You Feel" on love gone sour), plus Alexander Aguilar as Fabrizio's attractive and immature brother, Giuseppe.

If there's one thing lacking with Marriott's "Piazza," it's the scenic grandeur as seen in previous productions of the musical. Set designer Thomas M. Ryan does what he can in the difficult in-the-round space with lopped-off arch tops, while director Leonardo includes a symbolically placed love-struck Italian couple (Sasha Vargas and Peyton Royal) who entwine in dance throughout.

Efforts to capture a romantic vision of Italy are better served in Nancy Missimi's gorgeous 1950s period costumes and Diane Ferry Williams' lighting design which expertly gets the sense of openness and warmth.

Then there is the lush score handled by music director Ryan T. Nelson and David Siegel, who is responsible for the effective orchestral reductions.

"The Light in the Piazza" may seem to end happily, though more attuned audiences will detect the undercurrents that may make its joyful conclusion an all-too-fleeting one. This complexity is what helps make the love stories in "The Light in the Piazza" even more meaningful.

Having "The Light in the Piazza" back in town is a wonderful gift for savvy theatergoers, so make your plans to visit the Marriott Theatre soon to show your appreciation.

"The Light in the Piazza"

Rating: 4 stars

Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire

Showtimes: 1 and 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 4:30 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 5 p.m. Sundays; runs through Sunday, Sept. 20

Running time: Two hours and 40 minutes with intermission

Tickets: $45 (excluding tax and handling fees); $40 seniors and students at select performances; dinner packages available

Parking: Adjacent lots

Box office: (847) 634-0200 or MarriottTheatre.com.

Rating: mild sexuality

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Video</h2> <ul class="video"> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=1&type=video&item=250">Clip from 'Light in the Piazza' </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>