Laura Griffith walks into "The Light..."
Laura Griffith walks into "The Light..."
#0Laura Griffith walks into "The Light..."
Posted: 6/12/05 at 7:59am
Ok. Yesterday joeyjoe and I were strolling through Lincoln Center at the Annual Arts and Crafts show and we suddenly decided to find out if there were tickets available for Light in The Piazza...joey (my wonderful life-partner) whipped out the plastic and, Voila!, Tickets in hand, we spent the rest of the day impatiently awaiting that Eight-O-Clock curtain. From the moment we walked into the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, the set took my breath away. Photographs on line and in newspapers just cannot do it justice. It has to be experienced in person. As the opening harp runs began, I felt myself "filling up" - breathing-in perhaps one of the most incredible and visionary theatrical experiences of my 43 years on this planet. For those of you who haven't seen it - run, beg, steal, borrow - do whatever you have to do to get a ticket and get to the Vivian Beaumont. I've never, personally, had a more glorious evening in the theatre - so profoundly moving, so well acted and sung, so beautifully written, lit and designed. AND, we had the added bonus of seeing the incredibly talented and beautiful Laura Griffith go on for the first time (in what I hope to be a very long and successful run) as Franca (Sarah Uriarte Berry was out last night). Her performance was fantastic (on par with everyone on stage at the Beaumont) and I was thrilled to be seeing an old classmate's dreams coming true before my eyes. Congratulations Laura...you're living it!!!
We waited by the stage door and had a chance to congratulate the handfull of leads that exited the theatre, and I gotta tell ya - Victoria Clark is one of the most gracious and beautiful actresses alive today. She spent a great deal of time discussing the show with joeyjoe and I, and she seemed so connected to the experience as a whole, not only as the character within the show, but as an actor and Lovely Human Being. She is my new Hero. We walked away from that encounter knowing what a true Star is (or should be) like: Kind and gracious to her fans, taking the time to ask our names, talk about our connection to theatre, and share her pride over the piece with everyone involved, not just basking in her personal limelight.
Now I know why I came to New York, again. Seeing The Light in The Piazza, meeting it's performers, and reveling in Adam Guettel and Craig Lucas's life-altering piece of Theatre ranks right up there with sharing my life with joeyjoe, enjoying my new Neice's second birthday, watching a Florida sunset (one of God's finest productions!)...and Knowing that we are all here for a Reason.
Thank you, Lincoln Center, Victoria Clark, Mr. Guettel and Lucas, and the extraordinary cast of The Light in The Piazza. You've re-invigorated my love of the performing arts.
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
nmartin
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/3/05
#1re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/12/05 at 8:18amHow wonderful it must have been for you to see the "at this performance" slip contain the name of a friend. It sounds like your whole day was charmed. (he wrote seething with envy.)
#2re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/12/05 at 9:04amYes - it WAS a charmed day!
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
#3re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:27amRedhot, thanks for sharing your experience. I truly look forward to seeing this production. I purchased the CD a couple of weeks ago and have listened to it everyday since.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
#4re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/12/05 at 12:02pmI'm glad yo usaw Laura. Sarah was wonderful when I saw her but I have no doubt that Laura was fantastic. It's so fullfilling to see a friend perform.
"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.
#5re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/12/05 at 9:18pmLaura Griffith is truly a gifted actress and another lovely human being - such dignity, beauty and talent. I'm thrilled to have seen her go on as Franca. I hope we get to see Piazza again in the future - it is certainly the kind of show a person can see more than once (something I don't make a habit of doing)...But this show deserves a second look. It's simply breathtaking.
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
#6re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/12/05 at 9:49pmredhot - it warms my heart to see yet another person entranced by this amazing work of theatre - I'm terribly glad you enjoyed it!
Deet: Shira, I Love You!
#7re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/12/05 at 10:48pm
I too saw Laura at yesterday's mat, she was amazing, about to do a big long post of all 4 shows I saw this weekend.
I was a bit disappointed that Sarah was out because I adore her and think she's brilliant, but once I heard Laura sing the disappointment faded. Wonderful and amazing talented actress.
You're always sorry,
You're always grateful,
You hold her, thinking:
"I'm not alone."
You're still alone.
-"Sorry-Grateful" Company
-"Sorry-Grateful" Company
wicked4life51
Broadway Star Joined: 6/20/04
#8re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 12:05ammatt will be out sometime in july and so will keli (jennifer is going to be amazing,i worked with her in a regional production of sound of music and she was amazing)and david burnham what a hottie lol hes going to kick ass when he takes over lol.Break a leg you two and yes light in the piazza is amazing everyone needs to go see it (seen it 2 lol)
"what? what is it? do i have something in my teeth? ok lets get this over with : no im not seasick,yes ive always been green, and no i didnt chew grass as a child "
#9re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 12:14pmJust had to bump this one back to the top - I feel it's so important for people to see this show - it's the kind of show that could completely change the way you look at Musical Theatre...
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
#10re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 12:20pmGood idea redhot -- this IS the kind of show that can and should, and hopefully will change the current trend of musical theatre from schlock to compelling and beautiful pieces of original theatre.
Deet: Shira, I Love You!
#11re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 12:27pmredhot-My experience at Piazza was very similar to yours. It took my breath away and was the most incredible theatrical experience I've ever had. The music, the cast, the set, the light, the strings were just perfect. I'm going for the third time this Wednesday afternoon and I'm as excited as I was the first time.
"I'm the STAR!"--Daniel Reichard during Glory Daze sound check
#12re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 12:50pm
Yes, it's the kind of show I could see over and over again if I had the money...The only other show's I've seen more than once are Man of La Mancha (my pick for all time favorite show, because I've done 5 productions of it and fall deeper in love each time) Beauty and the Beast (had a friend who understudied the Beast so naturally I had to see him perform) and Hedwig and the Angry Inch - which is really strange for me because I don't even like rock music - but I found that show very compelling for some reason.
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
#13re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 1:33pmI agree with all...I saw the show saturday night and cried like an infant through the entire thing. Every piece of it came together perfectly for me and the music, in that oh so Adam Guettel way, has not left me since. I think everyone on stage was phenomenal..and I'm pretty sure we saw Laura go on as Franca saturday night too. I didn't get the recording until after the show, so all I had to go on was the brief performance on the Tony awards last week and my love for Guettel's music. The entire experience was truly stunning for me. Please people - see this show now. If you are a student get hooked up on the Lincoln Center website for student prices ($20 - how can you beat that...the lady next to me paid $95 - we were 8 rows back from the stage)...
when you grow up surrounded
by willful ignorance
you have to believe
mercy has its own country
and that it's round and borderless
~Animal, Ani Difranco
#14re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 1:44pmAhh, if I were only a student! I'd see this show over and over again. Yes, if you saw the 8:00 show on saturday night, you saw Laura Griffith - what a blessing!
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
#15re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 1:47pmThe only problem with StudenTix...you can only see it once!
Deet: Shira, I Love You!
#16re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 1:49pmtrue - but it is one time you get to pay $20 instead of $95...I can't complain...
when you grow up surrounded
by willful ignorance
you have to believe
mercy has its own country
and that it's round and borderless
~Animal, Ani Difranco
#17re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 2:39pmThat's such a great deal - and it affords more people an opportunity to see wonderful theatre - I'm all for deals for younger people - they need to be exposed to this kind of show.
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
#18re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 3:25pmBump
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
#19re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 3:26pm
this was the one time we hung around the stage door with the INTENT of meeting the cast... redhot wanted to congratulate Laura, and we wound up in extended conversation with Michael Berresse and Victoria Clark... Matt Morrison seemed to be in a hurry as all he had time to do was shake my hand, and Kelli O'Hara just has this utter joy in her face...
it was a great day...
#20re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 3:27pm
showme, I know -- and not that I'm not grateful for the opportunity to see it once with an awesome seat at a great price. But it's such a piece, I do want to see it over and over and over and over again...
and redhot, I love you. Because you keep bumping this thread. And that makes me love you!
Deet: Shira, I Love You!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#21re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 3:28pm
im glad you enjoyed the show. 
#22re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 3:31pm
Mistress, it's funny how when Matt Morrison shook my hand, your name popped into my head...
i also want to say that this is the first time i was truly TRULY transported by a theater piece...
Updated On: 6/13/05 at 03:31 PM
#23re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 3:43pmI've seen the show four times (a personal record), and within moments of the orchestra's start, i wonder if i'll ever hear sounds that beautiful in a theater again. What if it's downhill after this?
'The Devil be hitting me!'--Whitney Houston
Updated On: 6/13/05 at 03:43 PM
#24re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 3:47pmMidtown -- I fear that it is downhill. And that makes me quite sad. I don't think I will ever experience (I won't say never -- after all Guettel will write another musical) the feelings I had in that theatre, of simultaneous joy, rapture, sadness, love, desperation, happiness..
Deet: Shira, I Love You!
