The Light in the Piazza to Premiere on PBS, June 15

"Live From Lincoln Center" will present the television premiere of The Light in the Piazza on Thursday, June 15 at 8:00 p.m. on PBS, presented live from the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center Theater.

With music and lyrics by Adam Guettel and book by Craig Lucas, The Light in the Piazza is the winner of six 2005 Tony Awards, including Best Score. Directed by Bartlett Sher, the lush romantic tale features Tony Award-winner Victoria Clark, Sarah Uriarte Berry, Michael Berresse, Katie Clarke, Patti Cohenour, Beau Gravitte, Aaron Lazar, and Chris Sarandon. The Light in the Piazza opened on April 18, 2005, and will end its 15-month run on July 2, 2006, prior to the commencement of a national tour.

Based on the 1960 novel by Elizabeth Spencer, The Light in the Piazza takes place in Italy in the summer of 1953. "Margaret Johnson (Clark), the wife of a well-heeled American businessman, is touring the Tuscan countryside with her daughter, Clara (Clarke). Clara, a beautiful, surprisingly childish young woman—, loses her hat in a sudden gust. As if guided by an unseen hand, the hat lands at the feet of Fabrizio Naccarelli (Lazar), a handsome Florentine, who returns it to Clara. This brief episode, charged with coincidence and fate, sparks an immediate and intense romance between Clara and Fabrizio. As their relationship develops, the girl's mother must reveal the truth that will surely test their love," state press notes.

"Live From Lincoln Center," hosted by Beverly Sills, is currently in its 30th broadcast season. The series has received 12 Emmy Awards, including the 2005 Award for Outstanding Special Class Program in the Creative Arts category for Stephen Sondheim's Passion. The show is produced by Lincoln Center's John Goberman and directed by Kirk Browning. "This series has made the world's greatest artists on Lincoln Center's renowned stages accessible to home viewers in virtually every corner of the United States. It remains the only series of live telecast performances on American television today," state press notes. Upcoming broadcasts include a 30th-anniversary special of rarely-seen clips from the past on May 25, and the opening night program of the 2006 Mostly Mozart Festival on August 2.

Visit www.pbs.org or www.lincolncenter.org for more information.