Review Of "The Light In The Piazza"

Clara (right) and Margaret (left) in the opening number "Statues and Stories". Photo from the Duluth Playhouse Instagram

From the warm lighting of the stage, colorful dresses of the ensemble and the delicate sounds of violins, one can’t help but be transported to a summer in Italy. What is thought to be a fun show about a mother and daughters trip to Italy for summer vacation, quickly leads you twisting and turning through their story, and not just up and down the streets of Italy. 

With music and lyrics by Adam Guettel and book by Craig Lucas, the show follows Margaret and Clara on their summer trip. What unfolds is a tale of love between Clara and Fabrizio, one of the local boys. While Margaret’s overwhelming parenting is present, the devotion that Clara and Fabrizio have to each other throughout the show is hard to ignore. Director Phillip Fazio truly brought an Italian summer to Duluth in Duluth Playhouse’s production of The Light In The Piazza. 

I saw The Light In The Piazza on Thursday, March 20. This being the first Duluth Playhouse production I saw, I was thoroughly delighted with this production. From lights, to costumes, to sets, there was nothing that failed to catch my eye. 

Throughout the show, I found myself drawn to Margaret, played by Kersten Rodau. What seemed to be a harsh, overbearing and strict mother, was truly just a love for her child and wanting what is best for her. Something I couldn’t help but sympathize with, as parents always seem to want nothing more than to protect their children from the dangers of the world around them, especially after feeling as though that had already failed in the past. 

Given Jenny LeDoux’s portrayal of Clara as a young and naive girl, and Fabrizio, who was absolutely smitten with Clara the moment he laid eyes on her, Margaret was constantly kept on her toes. As Clara wanted independence and found love, her relationship with her mother was put to the test. 

The song “II Mondo Era Vuoto,” although in Italian, was brought to life through actor Jace LeGarde, who played Fabrizio. The desperation he has for Clara is evident as he will do whatever it takes to win her heart. Meanwhile, Margaret is having her own relationship troubles with her husband Roy, as shown in “Diving Day.” Both songs really pulled my heartstrings  and made me sympathize with both characters. . 

While the exact timeline of the story is slightly unclear, and mildly concerning, the plot point of why Clara is the way she is makes for a wonderful bombshell at the end of Act I. 

What makes this story stand out is the development that each character goes through. This is especially apparent for Margaret, who finally loosens her reins on Clara and lets her take control of her own life. Instead of trying to stop Clara and Fabrizio’s relationship, Margaret finds herself fighting for it in order to let both  Clara and the relationship flourish.

In the end, the show tackled the forces of love and the various forms that it takes. The relationship of Giuseppe and Franca, played respectively by Antony Ferguson and Alyson Enderle, is a stark example of this. 

The Light In The Piazza is part of the Duluth Playhouse MainStage season and runs March 14-30. For more information, visit the Duluth Playhouse website and catch this show on its final weekend!