VALDOSTA —
Peach State Summer Theatre realizes few people know much about its third production of the 2012 season but the organization believes if people give the show a chance, “The Light in the Piazza” will be on the lips of everyone who sees it.
Director Randy Wheeler admits there are no famous songs from “The Light in the Piazza.” In some ways, the musical is almost operatic in scope, but sprinkled with several comedic moments.
PSST! is quick to emphasize that “The Light in the Piazza” was nominated for 11 2005 Tony Awards and won six, including best original score.
The New York Times claimed “The Light in the Piazza” has “the most intensely romantic score of any musical since ‘West Side Story.’”
And that may underscore the best selling point of all for this show.
“The Light in the Piazza” is a love story.
“The young people in the show are Romeo and Juliet. They are Snow White and Prince Charming,” Wheeler says. “It is a story of love at first sight.”
In addition to the brilliant theatrical direction of Randy Wheeler making his annual venture from retirement, the show features the popular baritone of Dr. David Johnson, a retired Valdosta State University voice professor who leads the Sine Nomine Singers and still sings professionally. Wheeler’s wife and daughter, Jacque and Megan respectively, also perform in “The Light in the Piazza.”
As for the story, PSST!’s synopsis: “Based on the novella of the same name by Elizabeth Spencer, the story follows Margaret Johnson and her daughter, Clara, as they take in the sights of Italy during the summer of 1953. Clara strikes up a romance with a young man named Fabrizio. Her mother is against this relationship, and quickly does anything in her power to end it. As the story unfolds, a secret kept by Margaret is uncovered, and we find out that Clara is not exactly how she appears to be.”
The show also features the performers who have already received accolades and attracted strong box office for PSST!’s first two shows, “Legally Blonde The Musical” and “Go, Dog. Go!” Once “The Light in the Piazza” opens this weekend, all three shows will be performed in rotation through July 15.
THE CAST: Jacque Wheeler, Megan Wheeler, Kelly Methven, David Lee Johnson, Robert Teasdale, Sarah Michele, Rose Cutuli Wray, Will Sedwick Dozier, Kevin Mark Harris, Sarah Mitchel, Sarah Beth Moseley, Holly E. Dickerson, Rebecca Brunelle, Ashley Anderson, Emmanuel Davis, Daniel Fuentes, Madison Johnson, Ethan Ray Parker, Shelby Nichols, Christiani Pitts, Isaac Sherman, Will X. Stanley, Leigha Witt.
DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Randy Wheeler, director; Paul J. Guilbeau, musical director; Christopher Bailey, vocal director; Christina Calestani, dialect coach; Lauraleigh Shealey, stage manager; Tom Hansen, scenic designer; Genny Wynn, lighting designer; Esther Iverson, costume designer; Anna Warda Alex, sound designer; Michael Driggers, technical director.
ORCHESTRA: Christopher Bailey, keys; Sarah Cain, reeds; Sarah Carter-Sweatte, keys; Merrie Beth Eubanks, harp; Teal Ewer, trumpet; Trent Harper, bass; Jarron McCarr, trombone; Curtis Moody, percussion.
TECHNICAL STAFF: Dorothy Barnes, draper/stitcher; Timmy Dow, assistant technical director; Taylor Dyleski, sound/electrics assistant; Craig Hawkins, scenic artist; Rebecca Morris, carpenter; Joe Muncy, carpenter; Ryan Ponsell, master carpenter; Kristina Prince, stitcher/dresser/wardrobe; Kathy Raess-Young, costume shop supervisor; Patrice N. Trower, costume shop assistant; Jonathan Willis, props supervisor; Tori Young, master electrician.
MANAGERIAL STAFF: Shawanna Hall, house manager; Lauren Hallford, box office manager; Caleb Spivey, company manager; Abby Vincent, assistant stage manager.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily Times Americans Margaret (played by Jacque Wheeler) and Clara (Megan Wheeler) are introduced to the fiery Nacarelli family (David Johnson, Kelly Methven, Rose Cutuli Wray, Robert Teasdale and Sarah Michele) in Peach State Summer Theatre’s ‘The Light in the Piazza.’
-
Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily Times A chance gust of wind and a straw hat conspire to introduce an American girl (played by Megan Wheeler) to a young Florentine (Kelly Methven) in Peach State Summer Theatre’s ‘A Light in the Piazza,’ opening this weekend.
Discussion
‘The Light in the Piazza’
Shining a light on PSST!’s latest show
- Local News
-
-
Valdosta High graduation
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield, is the motto of Valdosta High School and a phrase that will stick with its senior class for the rest of their lives.
-
Coleman named Crossing Guard of the Year
For keeping the community’s children safe between homes and homerooms, crossing guards received thanks from city officials and one was named Crossing Guard of the Year during a breakfast Friday morning at Greenleaf.
-
Memorial Day events planned
Memorial Day is held each year on the final Monday of May, with this year’s observances on Monday, May 27. Across the country, Americans will honor fallen service men and women, and Lowndes County residents will have many activities available to them as they observe Memorial Day.
-
VDT Weekend Update
News Reporter Caitlin Barker speaks to Bernard Bulemu and Eric Mathis, representatives from the South Georgia Regional Library about their summer programs for kids, teens and adults during the month of June, as well as lists fun summer camps taking place in the Valdosta area.
-
Troopers prepare for Memorial Day traffic
Georgia State troopers are preparing for patrols during the peak travel times this coming holiday weekend.
-
Blaze damages cars, blocks I-75
A tractor-trailer transporting automobiles northbound on Interstate 75 Thursday morning caught fire just north of exit 5 in Lake Park.
-
VECA recognized at VSU
Rising juniors from the Valdosta Early College Academy (VECA) were recognized at Valdosta State University Wednesday night as the first group of students to begin earning college credit while still in high school.
-
Businesses raise funds for Oklahoma disaster
By now, we’ve all heard about the tragedy in Moore, Okla., a mile-wide, F5 tornado with winds of more than 200 miles per hour carved through 17 miles over a span of 50 minutes on Monday afternoon.
-
Southwestern State Hospital to close
One of Thomas County’s largest employers — at more than 700 people — and a longtime regional state mental hospital will close Dec. 31.
-
Search for survivors continues
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots down to bare red earth and claimed 24 lives, including those of nine children.
- More Local News Headlines
-
