Margaretâ€™s husband Roy back in the States disputes the ethics of the marriage. S'o much of what we hear and read about American young women is not what we would consider to be the right kind of woman for our son,' says Signor Naccarelli. They are delighted with Claraâ€™s simplicity. Margaret believes her daughter might have a successful marriage with Fabrizio because his family still hold the pre-feminist views of a womanâ€™s place in the home. Written in the post World War II years, the story is also on the cusp of a new era. Margaret is very protective but she canâ€™t protect her from falling in love with Fabrizio, a young Italian who is equally smitten.

A beautiful young woman, Clara is retarded as the result of a childhood accident. Elizabeth Spencerâ€™s 1953 novel follows a mother, Margaret Johnson, who takes her daughter Clara to Italy. Information will be posted at /calendar.Christine Andreas as Margaret in The Light in the PiazzaĬomposer/lyricist Adam Guettel had the sure instinct not to prettify the poignant delicate subject of The Light in the Piazza with melodies and tunes. In a series of public lectures and interviews, Guettel will talk about his work and Spencer’s novel, the composition process, his repertoire and family legacy, and the musical’s place in music theatre and Broadway history. Guettel is the grandson of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Richard Rodgers, and he won two Tony awards of his own for Piazza, including Best Original Score and Best Orchestration for his lush, memorable music. Starring Mary Donnelly Haskell in the role of Margaret Johnson and Calvin Ellis in the role of Signor Nacarelli, with LA producer/director Blake McIver Ewing directing.Ĭomposer Adam Guettel, who wrote the show’s music and lyrics, will be on campus November 3-5 for a residency at UM Music. The Light in the Piazza is presented by the University of Mississippi Department of Music and its partners in celebration of Spencer’s 100th birthday year. When a fateful gust of wind introduces Clara to handsome young Italian Fabrizio Nacarelli, it’s love at first sight.īut Clara isn’t quite what she appears, and this story of how Clara, Margaret, Fabrizio, and Signor Nacarelli negotiate emotion, love, hope, and clashing cultures – and the musical score that underpins their remarkable journey – results in an unforgettable show that won six Tony awards. Unapologetically lyrical and romantic, it transports us to the 1950s world of Margaret Johnson and her daughter Clara, Americans abroad in Florence.

The Light in the Piazza’s rich emotional score makes it notable among recent Broadway musicals.

Based on the novel by Mississippi writer Elizabeth Spencerĭon’t miss the Tony Award-winning musical The Light in the Piazza, presented by UM Opera Theatre Friday, November 19th at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 21st at 3:00 pm.

Light in the piazza novel