Laura Griffith walks into "The Light..."- Page 2
Laura Griffith walks into "The Light..."
#25re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 3:51pmthe whole time in the theater I got chills, the music and the cast were just fantastic. I fell in love with this show from the moment the orchestra started playing. It's a wonderful peice of art and I wish I could see it again, but alas I don't live in NYC and therefore this was my only shot to see it, thanks to the $20 tix (and Matthew Morrison) I convinced my friend that we should see this show. She was very skeptical at first, but she too was mesmorized and taken in by the story and the music. What I would give to see it again. But I guess I'll have to play my cast recording 24/7 to get my Piazza fix.
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
Broadway Star Joined: 12/31/69
#26re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 3:56pm
My name popped into your head upon meeting Matt? Gee, I wonder why! haha!
#27re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:11pm
I've seen a lot of theatre in my time and a LOT of wonderful performances by amazing actors, but NEVER have I seen someone so immerse themselves into a character as Victoria Clark does...she knows Margaret from the inside out - and becomes her. I think it's the best acting I've ever seen. And with a score like that - not to mention the wonderful book by Craig Lucas (I loved Reckless!)...how could they go wrong? I'm reminded of the lyrics to a favorite song of mine in regards to how I feel about this show:
I won't tell of my love to the red, red rose.
Or the running brook where the old magnolia grows
I won't tell of my love to every little star
Or the whipporwhill on the hill afar...
I'll tell the man in the street
And everyone I meet
That you and I are sweethearts.
I'll shout it out from the roof -
I'll give the papers proof
that we two are complete hearts.
I want the world to know -
I'll use the radio!
And when I've said all I'll say -
You may be old and grey -
But you won't get away from me.
"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!
#28re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:39pmbump
"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!
RCCS_5280
Swing Joined: 1/29/05
#29re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:44pm
I LOVE Laura! She is one of the greatest human beings and such a brilliant performer. I did WEST SIDE with her and her Maria was amazing...she gave me so much to go off of every night in the final scene. Not only is she amazing on stage but we both share a love for pancakes...even when in Berlin!
Best of luck to her in this run...
#30re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:50pmI'll never forget once in class, she (Laura) was working on the song "Will he Like Me?", from She Loves Me - and our teacher had her do it while miming taking a shower to get ready for the date - it was amazing - her voice is so perfect and, I gotta say, it was very sexy watching her shower (and I'm a tried and true homo - so you KNOW it must have been hot)...She IS beautiful - and very sweet. I hope she becomes a name on everyone's lips very soon - she deserves to!
"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!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#31re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:58pmredhot, since you didnt know she was in the show, im guessing you missed the pictures from when she was given the gypsy robe?
#32re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 4:59pmMistress - right - I had no idea Laura was in Piazza until I saw her on saturday evening - I think she's charmed - and charming!
"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!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#34re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 5:03pmThanks for posting that!
"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!
#35re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 5:33pmThanks, Mistress
Deet: Shira, I Love You!
jim
Stand-by Joined: 10/7/03
#36re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/13/05 at 5:47pmNice to hear about Laura! I met her when she played Laurey opposite Matt Bogart at Music Theatre of Wichita in OKLAHOMA! A darling girl and very talented.
#37re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/14/05 at 6:37amBump = this thread needs to live!
"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!
#38re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/14/05 at 12:15pmbump
"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!
SueleenGay
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
#39re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/14/05 at 12:29pm
i also want to say that this is the first time i was truly TRULY transported by a theater piece...
Really? I find that comment very sad. Not that I didn't enjoy Piazza, but for someone of a certain age who is such a theatre fan to make such a statement makes me feel very sorry for you.
PEACE.
#40re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/14/05 at 12:54pmSueleen - you can be any age and might have seen several hundred shows over a lifetime - but sometimes it just takes a certain combination of ingredients - like pieces of a puzzle - to make you feel completely enmeshed in the show - I've felt that way a few times over the years but Piazza is perhaps the finest piece of theatre ever written, by my standards. To each his/her own - everyone will find their show to connect to - I've now found mine.
"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!
SueleenGay
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
#41re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/14/05 at 1:20pm
Piazza is perhaps the finest piece of theatre ever written, by my standards.
Wow, EVER? That is quite a statement. I am glad you loved it so much. I am curious though, before Piazza, what did you consider the finest piece of theatre ever written?
PEACE.
#42re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/14/05 at 3:43pm
Sueleen - I'm not a very analytical person, I will admit. But in my lifetime I have mostly loved the works of Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rodgers, and, my all-time favorite show has always been Man of La Mancha, because of the subject matter and the lesson it tries (and succeeds, for me) to teach - to always look for the beauty in life, and rise above the mediocre and low events that try to bring you down. I live by The Impossible Dream's lyrics.
Now, Light in the Piazza, perhaps because of where I am in life at the moment (my mental state of late) has touched me so deeply, I literally cry each time I listen to Piazza - being a very emotional soul all my life - and I love the construction of the show, the design and direction are simply wonderful - and the story is SO positive to me, that Margaret learns to let Clara go and let her Love...and in the process learns to love herself even more and to find her place in the world - its all so very uplifting to me, in a melancholy way. But thats what pleases me most in life - those darker, sad-and-yet-happy stories of finding the beauty in the world (so MUCH of it in Piazza! - from the visions of Florenze, to the beauty of finding real love) ...look at To Kill A Mockingbird - what a wonderful story, of a man who is good at the core, no matter how much the world tries to change him and bring him down...I guess I relate to characters like that. OK - I'll stop my rambling now - but maybe you understand me just a teeny bit better?
"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!
SueleenGay
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
#43re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/14/05 at 4:21pmI understand, but perhaps you really meant that Piazza is the most MOVING experience you have ever had in a theatre and not "the finest piece of theatre ever WRITTEN." Quite a difference.
PEACE.
#44re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/14/05 at 4:36pmIt's the single most moving piece of theatre I've ever experienced. And certainly the most elegantly executed.
Deet: Shira, I Love You!
#45re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/14/05 at 4:51pmBump!
"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!
#46re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/14/05 at 6:35pmJust a thought -- I don't think I've ever wanted to be anyone like I want to be Kelli O'Hara.
Deet: Shira, I Love You!
#47re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/14/05 at 7:17pmWell I wasn't born in a particularly GOOD point for musical theatre. But I will say the LITP is the most innovative, beautiful and deep new show I have ever experienced in a theatre (With the exception of Les Mis, but it had been open for 3 years before I was born and my parents had listened to the cd millions of times before I got to see it in a theatre). I pray for more new shows like this one.
"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.
#48re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/14/05 at 7:17pm
I just wanted to jump in here, since I just bought my cast recording of Piazza 3 days ago. I have already burned a copy for my car and loaded it in mp3 form onto 2 mp3 players and my PSP. In other words...if there's a device capable of playing music in my home, car, or on my person, its currently playing Piazza. Like a 24 hour All-Piazza-All-The-Time radio station.
I saw the performance on the Tonys and thought, "Gee, that's kinda pretty", but that alone didn't make me run out and buy it. In fact, I was happy that Spamalot had won "Best Musical", since I had been happily listening to that for a few weeks. Now? I still love "Spamalot" and don't begrudge them the win, but...I confess that it mystifies me. "Spamalot" is a wonderful, fun romp. Piazza is a grand, beautiful stroll that begins in Italy but somehow ends up in your heart.
The vocal talent present on the Piazza cast album is ear-blowing. I was truly hooked by the time I heard Margaret's and Clara's voices singing "Its a new old world to me/its a new old world and/we are finally here". That ending just crashed over me like a wave and I heard myself inhale with a small gasp.(And I seriously don't care how corny that sounds...its true!)
Then I kept listening. I think Clara's "The Beauty Is" is perhaps the finest, most beautiful "I want" song ever written for the stage. Its just so small and sweet and sincere, then just soars into the end.
"Passeggiata" had me humming its melody at work for hours (so don't let anyone tell ya its not the kind of music ya hum...I beg to differ). "Say It Somehow" is another one that stands out for me...when Clara and Fabrizio sing "Ah, we'll play a game/You trace it on my skin/Do it any way but let's begin", I got goosebumps. And "Love To Me" gives me the sniffles every time I hear it.
I have put in many hours in the past few days listening hungrily to this cast album. And when I'm not actively listening to the music, I find myself thinking about the themes in the show; about how much we as human beings limit ourselves or others based on preconcieved notions of what we can and can't do, and how we sometimes either lose sight of the value of love, or else we horde it and say that some people can have it, but others can't. There's just so much that these characters can teach us if we spend some time with them. And the music makes the visit an absolute pleasure. I mean, I've gushed to the point of embarrassment about it, and I still can't shake the feeling that I haven't quite gushed *enough* yet. :-P
I'm not really adding anything new to this thread that hasn't already been said. But I just felt like I wanted my voice out there as part of the chorus. I truly love this recording, and though I doubt I'll be able to make it to New York to see the production, I can honestly say that I've enjoyed loving the show from a distance. See, sometimes long-distance relationships *do* work out. 
Updated On: 6/14/05 at 07:17 PM
#49re: Laura Griffith walks into 'The Light...'
Posted: 6/15/05 at 12:37amYay!!! I love reading about understudies going on, especially in shows like Piazza that have small, tight knit casts that are behind the understudy 120%. I would have loved to see Laura as Franca (though I adore Sarah in the role) and I'm sure she was excellent. I'm actually trying to plan my third (or fourth) trip to the show to coincide with the week David Burnham goes on, because he was Fabrizio the first time I saw the show and he was fantastic with barely any rehearsal time, so I'd love to see him when he's more secure in the role.
"Peace! The charm's wound up."
--Macbeth
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