Director's notes:
The Light in the Piazza has been a challenging show to work on for many reasons such as the Italian language and technical difficulty of the music. There are hidden difficulties, such as capturing the complex relationship of Margaret and Clara.
The Light in the Piazza tells the story of Margaret Johnson and her 26 year-old daughter Clara on their journey to Florence, Italy. On their trip, Clara has a chance meeting with a Florentine boy named Fabrizio Naccarelli and they immediately fall in love (this happens a lot in musicals). As the story progresses, Margaret reveals, piece by piece, that Clara is not necessarily as she seems because of an accident in her past. The relationship of Fabrizio and Clara forces Margaret to have some soul searching inner monologue and realizations.
The musical is not necessarily one of a love story, certainly that comes into play, but it centers on the relationship of a mother and her daughter and the values of happiness and fairness. Margaret has lived so much of her life through the lens of guilt and fear that she does not fully comprehend how her relationship with Clara has been stunted. The removal of relational roadblocks causes a great deal of change in both Margaret and Clara.
Metamorphosis is an interesting theme for 2016, as senior class has themselves considered a great deal of change this year. The class of '16 has been a dynamic part of the music program over the last four years. This group of seniors have built a special bond and seen wonderful returns on the combination of their hard work and talent. To you I say "bravi" for a job well done not only this year, but as you have changed over the past four years. I could not be more proud of your work.
Growth has also been a key element in the choral department this year. The Choir hosted the inaugural Joliet Choir Contest, Tri-M moved its recitals out of the school and to local retirement and nursing homes, and Joliet will soon host the Illinois Grade School Music Association State Organizational Contest. Music has been a integral part of many student's experience at Joliet West High School, and we intend to build the magnitude of the music department's impact to the students, parents, and community of Joliet. With your help, we can continue to develop the students at Joliet West High School into wonderful musicians, and bring music throughout the community.
So thank you to all of you for being patrons and sponsors of the music department of Joliet West. We hope that you have enjoyed the show, but more importantly, we hope that you have been touched by the music.
