Rebecca Rinaldi plays the lead in the next musical, ‘The Light in the Piazza” playing at City Theater in Biddeford from March 8-24. SUBMITTED PHOTO
BIDDEFORD — A new musical will be performed at the City Theater in Biddeford next month and cast members have been chosen for the award-winning musical.
“The Light in the Piazza” is described as “a wondrous fable that is as simple and complicated as love itself,” by the theater’s artistic director and director of the show Linda Sturdivant.
The play is set in Italy in the summer of 1953. A well-off, middle-aged woman from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Margaret Johnson, is on vacation in Florence, Italy, with her daughter, Clara. A breeze separates Clara from her hat, which is rescued by a handsome young man, Fabrizio (Miles Obrey) and the love story begins.
Sturdivant said she chose the play because “this time of year, I always do something that’s a little bit different.”
“The story is just wonderful,” she said. The play is based on a novella by Elizabeth Spencer. “It’s never been out of print since it was published (in 1960).”
Sturdivant classifies the play as “legitimate theater” as opposed to traditional musical theater. Legitimate theater, she said, casts performers who are classically trained.
“It’s a little bit operatic,” she said. “The City Theater attracts people with wonderful voices.”
The book for “The Light in the Piazza” is by Craig Lucas and music and lyrics are by Adam Guettel.
The play received two Outer Critics Circle Awards, five Drama Desk Awards and six Tony Awards, including Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations. It has been described by the New York Times as having “the most intensely romantic score of any musical since ‘West Side Story.’”
This production will be directed by Linda Sturdivant with music direction by Sara Sturdivant. “‘The Light in the Piazza’s’ rich emotional score sets it apart from recent Broadway musicals,” said Linda Sturdivant.
Jacklyn Grigg and Miles Obrey play young lovers from March 8 through 24 in ‘The Light in the Piazza,’ a musical that will be performed at the City Theater in Biddeford. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Linda Sturdivant raves about her lead cast members, all from southern Maine. Rebecca Rinaldi, of Falmouth, who will play Margaret Johnson, Clara’s overly-protective mother “is just wonderful,” Sturdivant said. “The Light In The Piazza” marks Rebecca’s 17th main stage production at City Theater. Previous performances include: Diana in “Next To Normal,” and Mama in “Gypsy.” Jackie Grigg, of Portland who recently moved with her husband from New York to Maine, is making her City Theater debut as Margaret’s troubled daughter, Clara. “She is awesome,” Sturdivant said. Miles Obrey, a University of Southern Maine vocal performance major will play Fabrizio, the dashing young Italian who captures Clara’s heart. “Miles is amazing,” Sturdivant said. “He first performed at City Theater when he was 9. The boy can sing!” she said.
Other City Theater favorites in next month’s performance include Brian McAloon, of Old Orchard Beach, as Signor Naccarelli; Owen White, of Kennebunk, as Guiseppe Naccarelli; Tim Steiner, of Biddeford, as Roy Johnson; and Mary Johnson, of Buxton, as Franca Nacarelli. Making her City Theater debut playing Signora Naccarelli is Shaunna Lucas, of Portland.
Rounding out the cast is Emily Butson of Portland, Cecilia Guerra of Hollis Center, Brian Harris of Biddeford, Leslie Lampert of Old Orchard Beach, Addison Little Field of Sydney, Sally McGrath of Biddeford, Valeria Nahorney of Biddeford, Mark Nahorney of Biddeford, Adam Normand of Old Orchard Beach, Danielle Robichaud of Portland, and Lynne White of Kennebunk.
The creative team includes set designer Karl Carrigan, scenic painter Jessica Chaples– Graffam, costume designer Hannah Brown and lighting designer Joseph Strout. Together they will transform the City Theater Stage into a breathtaking sun-drenched Italian piazza.
The production features a chamber orchestra, on piano is Sara Sturdivant, harp is Mo Nichols, violin by Sue LaVerriere, cello by Alex Wong and bass played by Jimmy McGirr.
Sturdivant urges people to come see “The Light in the Piazza” when it opens in March.
“There’s nothing in this play I don’t like,” she said. “The music, the story … It’s just a wonderful piece of theater.”
“The Light in the Piazza” is supported by Alex’s Pizza, the Journal Tribune, Saco Biddeford Savings Bank, P&C Insurance and Jim Godbout Plumbing.
Performances are March 8 to 24, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is no performance March 10. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling 282-0849 or visiting the website www.citytheater.org.
— Associate Editor Dina Mendros can be contacted at 780-9014 or dmendros@journaltribune.com
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