by Janine Sobeck
There has been the normal flurry of reviews and conversation since the opening of The Light in the Piazza, and let me tell you...people have been buzzing about the performances that they've been seeing. Hollis Resnick as Margaret, Nicholas Rodruigez as Fabrizio and Margaret Anne Florence as Clara have captured many hearts (and I think Nicholas has captured many eyes as well!). Here's just a taste of what's being said:
"The Light in the Piazza" requires an actress of embraceable finesse in the role of Margaret, the Southern matron who takes her childlike grown daughter on an eventful sightseeing trip to Florence. And in the vibrantly intelligent Hollis Resnik, Arena Stage found one. - Peter Marks, The Washington Post
As the dashing yet boyish Fabrizio, Nicholas Rodriguez did a superb job in a role that can be a little difficult to pull off. Lacking almost entirely in English language skills throughout much of the first act, his character still manages to communicated effectively to Clara - and to us - by emphasizing his simple Italian sentences that help non-Italian speaks to pick up nine-tenths of his meaning. That's quite a feat without the help of operatic surtitles. - Terry Ponick DC Theatre Scene
From the first step Margaret Anne Florence takes into our Piazza, in a delicious Limoncello yellow dress, her refreshing childlike eagerness in tow, Florence deftly captures our attention and wrestles control of it and never lets go. - Rene Pedraza, CNN iReport
Arena Stage has captured the rapturous essence of the musical "The Light in the Piazza" in a lovely production at its Crystal City space in Arlington, Virginia. The intimate staging allows for small gestures and understated performances, all guided by Molly Smith's empathetic direction. - Susan Berlin, Talking Broadway
Beautiful singing and wonderful acting. I had seen the NY production and I thought this one was very close in quality all around. Such a gorgeous score... his music is more complex and unpredictable than most composers. - Goldstar Member
And here's a glimpse from Hollis, Nicholas and Margaret Anne on the own feelings about the show - as well as some additional audience reactions!
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