Piazza Questions
Piazza Questions
icantbelive
Featured Actor Joined: 5/5/06
#0Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/25/06 at 9:08pm
Whatever happened to Roy in that. Did he get divorced from Margaret? Did they have divorces back in the 50's?
Also does Clara know she has a problem? The only people that seemed to know was her parents. Not anyone else including Clara.
I liked the show when i saw it on TV, but I kept wondering these same questions. If anyone can help that would be great. Thanks
Just wondering
Updated On: 6/25/06 at 09:08 PM
Joshua488
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/29/04
#1re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/25/06 at 9:14pm
Roy and Margaret had a troubled marriage. At the end of the show, they are still married, but who knows what happened once she returned to America.
I don't think Clara realized that she was different, at least not until she heard her mother on the phone with Roy (right before "Clara's Interlude").
I could be very wrong, but this is what I interpreted.
#2re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/25/06 at 9:19pm
Uh, bone up on your history. Divorce is nothing new. Henry VIII created the Church of England to break from Rome, so he could divorce his wife. (Granted he preferred to kill some of them as well) As long as there has been marriage, there has been divorce. Maybe not as often nor as easy as it is now, but...
Joshua488--good interp.
However, we shouldn't expect everything to be spelled out in any art form. Sometimes leaving the audience guessing adds to the effect. As long as there is some emotional payoff, the rest can be let up to our imagination.
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
RuprechtJr.
Featured Actor Joined: 6/22/05
#3re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/25/06 at 9:24pm
Here's what I can tell you:
1. It is somewhat assumed that she "dumped" her husband, Roy. This is the part that is to be decided by the audience member. At the very end, Margaret, after singing FABLE, runs behind the gate and is escorted by Signor Naccarelli. It was my understanding that with that escort it hinted that they were together and Signor left Signora. Signora said that she suspected him of cheating. That could be entirely wrong, but it's what I gathered from it.
2. I think that Clara doesn't know exactly what's wrong with her, but she knows something is wrong. In fact, she says after Signor storms out after seeing her form, she says: "Why wouldn't they look at me? None of them could look me in the eyes. Not even Fabrizzio. This happend before. Something is wrong. Something is wrong with me." I don't think she is mentally challenged, but is just unliked by Signor. I assume by her statement "this has happened before" that she realizes now that when she acted strangely for her age everyone tried to avoid her, as some people do in real life. Of course, if you saw someone like Clara who came up to you and asked you what your age was and followed you around and drew you...I'm sure you'd say in your head: "There is something wrong with that child." Then, she hears Margaret saying "Just because she isn't like you and me doesn't mean that we should treat her any less!" Of course, then she runs around the huge stage, sings on an ah and taps her head. When she taps her head, that's kind of like her "Think!" method. She's probably thinking back to those times when she was kicked in the head by the pony or to when people would stare, point, or laught etc.
mad4music
Stand-by Joined: 7/2/05
#4re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/25/06 at 9:26pmThe beauty of Piazza is that you leave the theatre with for more questions than you have answers. That's why it's so magic. It's all part of the experience. It makes it much more personal because you literally get to be a part of the creative process. I love it.
#5re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/25/06 at 9:31pm
Dont' read too much into Margaret and Signor. In Italy, it is not uncommon for men to have mistresses. I lived there for 7 years as a chef, and we always asked the guests if they were bringing their wife, mistress or both. Sometimes, the women know each other. Marriages in Italy were often arranged for financial, or political reasons (even sometimes today), and divorce is still difficult, though not impossible. Married women in Italy don't pay taxes (this might have changed recently), so they often don't wish to divorce. They simply move to another family owned property or room. Most land and houses have been in families for many generations, so the option of moving out is not common. I know many couples that live together, with separate lovers, and remain "married".
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
Updated On: 6/25/06 at 09:31 PM
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
RuprechtJr.
Featured Actor Joined: 6/22/05
#6re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/25/06 at 9:42pmGood point. I just thought that since Signora said "Does father cheat on mother? She suspects." I took that as something that was as serious as the US. form of cheating.
#7re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/25/06 at 9:48pmHere is MY question - did anyone notice the (possible) blooper in the live broadcast (or perhaps it was a change) When Margaret is telling us what happened to Clara, on the recording she says something like "When Clara was twelve...", and on the night of the taping - she said "When Clara was ten..." did they change the age of the accident sometime after the show opened?
"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!
RuprechtJr.
Featured Actor Joined: 6/22/05
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#9re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/25/06 at 9:51pm
With Roy and Margaret, all we can do is speculate. I personally don't think she leaves him, but it isn't unreasonable to assume that she does.
As for Clara, um, no offense, but that should be pretty obvious. Clara knows that something isn't right about her, but she doesn't know what it is. She says as much to Fabrizio.
Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!
#10re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/25/06 at 9:52pmI find it very interesting, seeing as how I taped it from the broadcast, and then was listening to the OBC yesterday to compare and see how well it has aged...I wonder what caused it.
"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!
lvpblues
Broadway Star Joined: 2/18/04
#11re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/25/06 at 10:05pmThere is a discrepancy between the cast recording and the show in performance. In the actual show her age has as far as I can remember always been 10 (believe me, I've seen it 11 times). I've often wondered why the difference between the two forums.
#12re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/25/06 at 10:09pmEleven times? wow. I guess you would know, then! (lol) I wonder why they made that change?
"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: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/25/06 at 10:23pm
I am not sure Clara realizes that she has a problem. She simply sees things as she sees them. Perhaps she feels something is odd, but she goes happily about her life and feels no shame 
As for Margaret/Roy/Sr/Sra... Personally, I think they left it very open to interpretation. I think Margaret and Sr were together on some level at the end. As for their "significant others," who knows. The romantic in me would like to envision a happy Margaret and Sr louging in the Tuscan sun together 
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
Updated On: 6/26/06 at 10:23 PM
BillFinn
Broadway Star Joined: 10/26/03
#14re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/26/06 at 12:22am
Signor would never leave Signora. They're married and he loves her. There's a reason the staging is set up in "Octet" with Margaret in isolation, versus the 3 Naccarelli couples while she's singing "I am suddenly alone" while the other women sing "I am suddenly alive". It's beautiful work.
Personally, I think Margaret divorced Roy. Moved to Italy and opened a Fashion shop, aided by Signor. Her and Signora raised Clara and Fabrizio's daughter, Maria. (My friend and I stayed up one night and cooked up "The Lights in the Piazza" Haha)
Bill Finn rocks. Woot.
SueleenGay
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
#15re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/26/06 at 1:03am
I find it very interesting, seeing as how I taped it from the broadcast, and then was listening to the OBC yesterday to compare and see how well it has aged...I wonder what caused it.
I think we can safely assume that most cast recordings differ from what is actually done on the stage for a variety of reasons. Time restraints may increase the tempos, for clarity's sake some lyrics might be adjusted a bit or a piece of dialog added. To say that a show has "aged well" because you listened to the recording and then watched the live broadcast really can't be an indication of how the performance has changed since they recorded the score on some rainy Monday afternoon over a year ago.
PEACE.
Updated On: 6/26/06 at 01:03 AM
SueleenGay
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
#16re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/26/06 at 1:03amOoops. Double post.
PEACE.
Updated On: 6/26/06 at 01:03 AM
kgee30
Stand-by Joined: 6/1/04
#17re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/26/06 at 11:55am
"Signor would never leave Signora. They're married and he loves her. There's a reason the staging is set up in "Octet" with Margaret in isolation, versus the 3 Naccarelli couples while she's singing "I am suddenly alone" while the other women sing "I am suddenly alive". It's beautiful work."
Well said, BillFinn. Took me a while to get that scene, because I was so distracted by everything else that was happening, but now I think it's brilliant.
Sluggy
Featured Actor Joined: 7/15/04
#18re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/26/06 at 12:12pm
Rather than beginning an actual relationship, I always took it that Signor Naccarelli reawakens Margaret's sense of romance, which has turned cold through her marriage to Roy and her dedication to Clara. Part of me thinks she might try to salvage her marriage - no matter what, she definitely leaves with a renewed and more empowered sense of herself.
"Which way do you want these pleats turned?"
"Toward Mecca."
Updated On: 6/26/06 at 12:12 PM
LostLeander
Broadway Star Joined: 3/18/05
#19re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/26/06 at 12:25pm
I don't think Margaret would leave Roy. Considering the times, and her tradtionalist fashion... But also, she has definately changed; a brilliant character arch by Lucas and Guettel. So, I could see either happening.
And I definately wouldn't give much credance to Margaret being escorted by Signor.. Margaret's too much of a woman to be a thing on the side.
Personally, I think I have too much bloom.
#20re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/26/06 at 12:28pm
I think Clara always had some idea that something might be wrong with her. Kids are very intuitive about things like that and she has the mentality of one. But it's a typical adolescent worry. It's one thing to think privately that people treat you funny and that maybe you're just different and weird than to actually have your mother say that you AREN'T normal.
I am actually on the fence about Margaret. I know Signor won't leave Signora. I somehow wonder whether Margaret will divorce Roy though. Because I think that idea about Margaret being empowered to leave him now is very modern. I actually think Roy will leave her, since she did, well, marry off their daughter without his permission. I also envision her staying in Italy and remaining in Clara's life.
yr ronin,
joey
joey
#21re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/26/06 at 12:39pm
I personally feel that Margaret wouldn't act on her impulses regarding Signor. She had that one moment when she was trying to convince Signor to allow the marriage to go forward. However, the staging is SO BRILLIANT in that moment when Margaret and Signor kiss. First then shake hands, they look into each others eyes, then they kiss, they back off, and they shake hands again. I think that tells SO MUCH about both people. Margaret doesn't want to have a relationship under the circumstances that would be available to her -- e.g., to be the mistress. I feel Signor has too much respect for Margaret to put her in that position. So they both back away from their impulses.
As far as Roy is concerned, my feeling is that Margaret is only thinking about Clara and what's best for her. Perhaps she's thrown her marriage away. Perhaps she knows that in the back of her mind. However, I feel all her energy goes towards making Clara happy and she doesn't even think about herself. Piazza (IMO) leaves you with that question as to what Margaret is going to do AFTER the marriage. I think it's constructed on purpose in that way.
". . . POP . . ."
lvpblues
Broadway Star Joined: 2/18/04
#22re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/26/06 at 12:41pm
It seems highly doubtful that Margaret and Roy would separate. That moment where they kiss (which is built up with such subtlety in the staging, the flirtation, the cigarette lighting, the way he whips a wine glass out of Signora's hand when she walks in during Octet, and in the way when they're separated during that moment BillFinn mentions that he turns his focus to Margaret downstage while they are singing and they make eye contact).
I think that the kiss is something of the sole consummation of the attraction that they feel, with both knowing given the circumstances that it could never go further, because he won't leave his wife. Also, I've always found it to be the re-energizing of Margaret. Notice how immediately following in the phone call how she takes the upper-hand in the situation. She is more determined than ever to succeed in letting Clara get married and for the first time, she is completely honest with Roy about the condition of their relationship.
I always note that in this penultimate scene, she hangs up the phone telling Roy she loves him. I could be wrong, but since she's being completely honest with Roy over all of these situations I have no reason why she wouldn't be telling the truth to him when she says this.
I think that the end with her being guided into the wedding by Signor isn't so much about the two of them, but more about her becoming part of their family, especially since she hurries past him and runs up to clasp Franca's arm with excitement in the final seconds as the lights fade.
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#23re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/26/06 at 12:53pm
This is a show-only interpretation; the book is entirely different.
Clara may have sensed she's different throughout her life but it was never an issue because it never really came up, as Margaret never really let it (she'd always let people down gently, if you remember her saying) until she was in Italy and no longer sheltered. She gets the sense throughout that she's different but it usually doesn't bother her. But it does upset her when she realizes that this difference could make her lose or, worse, disappoint Fabrizio, the man she loves.
Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#24re: Piazza Questions
Posted: 6/26/06 at 1:02pm
Give me suspicion... thats good!
Why would you assume that she wants to leave him when the song is about reveling in the drama of it all? It is portrayed as an italian way of life.
And so much of the dialogue suggests that Americans are free, or freer, in lifestyle which is SO not Margaret but the story progresses and she lets go. Vicki even did an interview saying the character longs to be free like them, to not feel stuck in this loveless marriage, to not have to worry about every little thing, etc. I could easily see her having an affair, but maybe not with Signor cuz I actually think it would kindve icky for the parents of two married kids to have an affair. But whether or not she loves Roy, cares for him or divorces him is really beside the point because half the show is about affairs and still being with the one you love.
As for Clara, I have a hard time believing that she doesnt remember being kicked in the head but could easily see no one telling her it would have long lasting effects. If they lived in such a way where they didnt tell other people unless they have to, they wouldnt want a 10 yr old knowing, little kids blab. Look at how she shows off her scar.
I saw the first preview, and twice more while it was in previews and they changed her age early on in the run of the show, because it confused people that Signor said her hand writing would be bad if she was 12, i thought it was so clear that he hadnt "figured it out" but some people still walked away thinkin look he guessed the magic number.
Videos