MADISON —
The mission of the Rabbit Run Community Arts Association is to provide to people of all ages in northeast Ohio the opportunity to participate in quality and affordable programs, education and presentations in the visual and performing arts.
Rabbit Run Theater is a part of the RRCAA, specializing in education through its performances. Over the past two or three years, Brint Learned, the director of RRCAA, has encouraged his staff to move away from the run-of-the-mill fare usually offered by summer community theater groups and to offer some shows that cause actors and audiences alike to ‘stretch.’ Learned is correct in his effort to address diversity of audience, inviting in those who appreciate a slightly different approach to theater. “The Light in the Piazza” does just that.
Originally a novel penned in 1960, “The Light in the Piazza” hit the silver screen in 1962.
It was not developed as a musical until 2003, and eventually received the Tony Award for the best score in 2005. The story of a young woman and her mother who travel in Italy in 1953, it is told in song and prose, much of which is in Italian and broken English. Reference sources refer to its heavy orchestration as neo-romanticism in music because of its emotional expression. It is opera-like in its vocal presentation.
Because of the mixture of languages in the script, it is wise for one to know the plot of the story before arriving at the theater. If not, it is difficult to wrap one’s head around the goings-on seen on the stage. Here goes: American mother and daughter are traveling in Italy; daughter, who is 26 years old but because of an accident has the mentality of a 12-year-old, meets and falls in love with a young Florentine and he with her; family secrets are kept, family secrets are revealed. Songs are sung. A wedding is planned.
Nancy Brooks sings the role of the mother, Margaret Johnson. A seasoned actress, she wrenches emotions from the audience all evening long. Caitlin Rose (Clara, the daughter) very adeptly exudes the persona of a 12-year-old living in a 26-year-old body. Her Florentine lover, Fabrizio Naccarelli, is played by James Penca, fresh off a smash hit as Joseph in ‘Dreamcoat.’ His operatic presentations are known in theater genres as comedy of manners. In other words, it is expected that Italian tenors show strong emotions and beat their chests and hold their heads while professing love or bemoaning loves lost; Penca succeeds in doing all of those things.
The Naccarelli family displays every stereotype of Italian husbands and wives, husbands and mistresses, and wives and loud acceptance, all the while living together under one roof and caring for each other. Their family doings are forebodings of what Margaret thinks might happen to Clara if mom lets the marriage happen.
Signor Naccarelli is played by Hugh Craduck, a veteran vocalist. The role of Franca Naccarelli is sung by Amanda Fertal, who has opera experience in and around Cleveland. Nicholas Varricchio in the role of Giuseppe Naccarelli probably exhibited the best Italian swagger on the stage. Varricchio brings with him Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Cain Park, Dobama Theatre and Cleveland Play House experience. Sandy Kosovich Peck as the Naccarelli matriarch has a litany of credits under her belt.
The voices in this production are excellent; the vocalists leave nothing to be desired. They are backed up by a quality orchestra and chorus of other actors who are often on and off the stage. The whole package as a non-traditional summer community theater offering is very good.
“The Light in the Piazza” continues at Rabbit Run Theater on Chapel Road in Madison through Aug 1. Tickets may be ordered by phoning the box office at 440-428-7092 or visiting http://www.rabbitrunonline.cix.com.
WEEKENDER / Entertainment
Related Photos
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Caitlin Rose as Clara and James Penca as Fabrizio in "Light in the Piazza."
Discussion
‘Light in the Piazza’ diverse, excellent
A REVIEW
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