THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA: REVIEW

Mitchell Marcus’s Acting Up Stage Theatre Company’s production of The Light in The Piazza is a show queen’s dream come true.

All of the elements of this production are top-notch but the true stars of the show, which marks its Canadian debut, are its director Robert McQueen and leading lady Patty Jamieson.

Jamieson plays Margaret Johnson, an upper-middle class American tourist and the mother of Clara, a twenty-six year old who is mentally challenged.  Margaret and Clara travel to Florence to re-visit the sites where Margaret and her husband spent their honeymoon, along the way meeting the dashing Fabrizio who falls madly in love with Clara.
The musical revolves around Margaret’s turmoil in coming to terms with the fact that her daughter is a woman and not a little girl, eventually allowing her to wed and experience the joy of being in love (an element which Margaret feels is missing in her own marriage).

Ms. Jamieson gives one of the best performances to grace Toronto stages, her beautiful singing and exquisite acting worth the price of admission, while the score is beautiful and brilliantly written and composed by Adam Guttel, who happens to be the grandson of legendary Broadway composer Richard Rodgers.

After seeing the acclaimed Broadway incarnation in 2005, I admit I prefer this version, which is scaled back in scenic design, cast size and orchestrations.  McQueen’s direction is precise and to the point, making the story, which at times is spoken in Italian, accessible to a broad audience.

I always look forward to Marcus’s productions as he is a rare producer in the city who produces professionally staged versions of contemporary and obscure musicals. I have enjoyed all of his productions but Piazza is the most impressive to date.

Happy Theatre Going! Until Next Time!
Howard Kane

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ONE-ON-ONE WITH MR. TORONTOW

As I eagerly await Acting Up Stage Company’s Canadian premiere of the musical The Light In The Piazza, I had the chance to chat with one of its cast members, Michael Torontow, who took some time out from his busy rehearsal schedule to dish some dirt on his latest theatrical outing.

How Did The Light In The Piazza Come about?

It was a typical situation when an actor goes into an audition for a production.

Had you heard of the musical prior to auditioning?

Yes, I had listened to the CD years before and I loved the music. When I found out I had the opportunity to audition, I was very excited, as I am sure most of this cast was.

After coming off a list of main stream “mega musicals” are you finding this intimate musical a breath of fresh air?

Yes, very much so! I did Hairspray six years ago where I had a leading role (Link), then I did Dirty Dancing where I played a waiter as part of the ensemble. I was in a cast of forty, dancing behind the iconic figures of Baby and Johnny. But in The Light In The Piazza, even though it’s a much smaller production, I have the opportunity to create a character and get a chance to just do my thing.

Are there actors in this company that you had never worked with before but had wanted to?

Oh, definitely. This company is made up of legends from the Canadian Musical Theatre scene such as, Juan Chioran and Lee MacDougall, who I had heard about, but never had the opportunity to perform with. It’s very exciting!

Being an openly gay actor in Toronto, do you think there is still a stigma but being out and proud?

That is a very good question. With the experiences that I have had thus far, I would like to think that there won’t be a problem with me being out of the closet. There have been times when I wasn’t sure that I should say anything or not and I don’t know any other performer in Canada who has run into any problems. Although in one production, I did wonder if I was not being offered a certain opportunity because I was openly gay but I can’t accuse them of that, it was just a sense I had.

The Light in the Piazza runs from January 30th-February 21st 2010
At The Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs
26 Berkeley St, Toronto
Tickets: 416 368-3110
www.lightinthepiazza.ca