Elizabeth Spencer

Video: Emily Skinner and More Star in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at the Huntington Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 5, 2025

The Huntington has revealed first look video of The Light in the Piazza, a contemporary musical based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer, with music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, book by Craig Lucas, and directed by Huntington Artistic Director Loretta Greco (The Triumph of Love).

Review: The Huntington's THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA is Sweepingly Cinematic
by R. Scott Reedy - May 21, 2025

The 1962 feature film “Light in the Piazza” was shot on location at the Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and the Via Veneto and Roma Ostiense railway station in Rome, making its technicolor splendor a hard act to follow when the story, based on a 1960 novella by Elizabeth Spencer, was developed for the stage in 2003.

Video: First Look at Rehearsals for Huntington Theatre's THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
by Joshua Wright - Apr 23, 2025

Get a first look inside rehearsals for The Huntington's The Light in the Piazza, a contemporary musical based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer, with music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, book by Craig Lucas, and directed by Huntington Artistic Director Loretta Greco (The Triumph of Love). The Light in the Piazza runs from Thursday, May 8 – Sunday, June 15, 2025 at the Huntington Theatre.

Emily Skinner and More to Star in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at the Huntington Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 10, 2025

The Huntington has revealed the cast and creative team of The Light in the Piazza, a contemporary musical based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer. See who is starring and learn more.

World Premiere Play & More Set for The Sankofa Collective Season 11
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 13, 2025

The Sankofa Collective has revealed the 2024-25 season, including exciting benefit concerts, a modern twist on classics and a world premiere play. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA by Central Florida Vocal Arts
by Joseph Harrison - Nov 16, 2024

The feelings that one gets when sitting in the audience for a musical production can run the gamut from sadness and heartbreak to joy and excitement. But it is a rare experience when a production causes one to experience the full breadth of human emotion – becoming transfixed and transported to an elevated state of bliss. This is what I experienced last night at Central Florida Vocal Arts (CFVA) production of Adam Guettel’s THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA – an stunningly brilliant production featuring some of the most magnificent vocals I have heard from the stage in a very long time.

Feature: THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA Final Weekend at Palm Canyon Theatre
by Charlie Thomas - May 20, 2024

Based on the 1960 novella by Elizabeth Spencer, 'The Light In The Piazza' is set in the 1950s in Florence, Italy, where Margaret Johnson, a wealthy Southern woman, and her daughter Clara, who is developmentally disabled, are vacationing from the US. When Clara falls in love with a young Italian man, Margaret is forced to reconsider not only Clara's future, but her own deep-seated hopes and regrets as well.

Previews: THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at Palm Canyon Theatre
by Charlie Thomas - May 2, 2024

Based on the 1960 novella by Elizabeth Spencer, the show is set in the 1950s in Florence, Italy. Margaret Johnson, a wealthy Southern woman, and her daughter Clara, who is developmentally disabled are vacationing in Florence, Italy.

Review: 'THE BOYS IN THE BAND' at Palm Canyon Theatre
by Charlie Thomas - Apr 17, 2024

What did our critic think of 'THE BOYS IN THE BAND' at Palm Canyon Theatre?

LEOPOLDSTADT, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, and More Set For the Huntington's 2024/25 Season
by Stephi Wild - Mar 19, 2024

Five of the seven titles have been announced for The Huntington’s upcoming 2024/25 season. The season will feature new plays by masterful writers, the first two plays of an ambitious, epic cycle, and a soaring, contemporary classic musical. Learn more about the full season lineup here!

Review: SWEENEY TODD is a Bloody Good Time at Palm Canyon Theatre
by Charlie Thomas - Mar 13, 2024

What is it about a good horror story that draws audiences by the cart load?  Is it the adrenaline surge of danger around every corner, even as the viewer remains safely out of danger? Or is it the exploration of the dark side of man’s psyche, feeding a vicarious blood lust in the deep recesses of our primordial hind brains? Or, is it a bit of schadenfreude, particularly if the victim is “deserving”?  All of things await the anxious theatregoer in Palm Canyon’s Theatre’s latest venture, Steven’s Sondheim’s macabre masterpiece “Sweeney Todd”.

Review: Palm Canyon Theatre's SOMETHING ROTTEN Proves a Rose by Any Other Name Never Smelled as Sweet
by Charlie Thomas - Feb 14, 2024

History credits the first modern musical production to the year 1866 and a little-known work called “The Black Crook” that premiered in New York on September 12 of that year.  It was credited as the first play that added dance and original music to help tell the story.  But after seeing Palm Canyon Theatre’s newest production of “Something Rotten”, maybe the historians have it wrong.

Opera in the Heights Will Present THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA Next Month
by Blair Ingenthron - Jan 20, 2024

Opera in the Heights (OH) will present a new production of The Light in the Piazza, a Tony award-winning musical by Adam Guettel and Craig Lucas next month.

Review Roundup: THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at Encores!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 22, 2023

Up next at New York City Center, the Encores! season continues with The Light in the Piazza, led by Tony winner Ruthie Ann Miles. Encores! The Light in the Piazza runs for seven performances only, through June 25, at New York City Center.

New Dates Announced for Encores! THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA Starring Ruthie Ann Miles
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 23, 2022

New York City Center has announced new performance dates for Encores! The Light in the Piazza as part of the 2022 – 2023 season. Due to scheduling conflicts, the Tony Award-winning musical directed by Chay Yew and featuring Tony winner Ruthie Ann Miles will run June 21 – 25, 2023 at New York City Center.

Elena Shaddow Will Lead LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA Concert at Alexandra Palace Theatre
by Team BWW - Sep 5, 2022

For one night only at London's Ally Pally Theatre, Adam Guettel and Craig Lucas’ Tony Award-winning musical The Light In The Piazza will play a concert performance, starring Starring Elena Shaddow as Margaret Johnson. Shaddow will make history as the first performer to play both Margarget at Clara (first national tour).

Review: THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at CCAE Theatricals 'is a gorgeous trip to 1950s Florence, Italy that should not be missed.'
by E.H. Reiter - Jun 20, 2022

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA by CCAE Theatricals is a gorgeous trip to 1950s Florence, Italy that should not be missed. Full of soaring vocals, beautiful costumes and sets, and absolutely lush orchestrations played by a live orchestra this is a show that is fantastic from start to finish.  THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA through June 25 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

BWW Review: A MINISTER'S WIFE: Love, Marriage, and the Poetry in Between
by Robert Encila-Celdran - Mar 9, 2022

In A MINISTER'S WIFE, the composer's collaboration with Austin Pendleton (book), and Jan Levy Tranen (lyrics) dilutes his influence on CANDIDA's transcription, relegating the audience to a compendiary version that eliminates, among other elements, Candida's businessman father - a staunch capitalist foil to her socialist husband, the Reverend James Morell. Just as well, I suppose, given the daunting task of mixing up politics with a love triangle.

VIDEO: Watch a THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA Reunion on Stars in the House- Live at 8pm!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 11, 2021

Stars in the House continues tonight (8pm ET) with a THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA Reunion with Kelli O'Hara, Matthew Morrison, and Victoria Clark!

Virtual Theatre Today: Thursday, January 28- with Matthew Morrison, Kelli O'Hara and More!
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 28, 2021

Today (January 28) in live streaming: LCT looks back at The Light in the Piazza, Jack Plotnick and friends take over Stars in the House, and more!