Elon faculty, students, alumni, and professional artists will perform the Italian premiere of “The Light in the Piazza,” marking the first time this production is performed in Florence, Italy.
Elon students and faculty participating in the Summer Opera Workshop at the Accademia Europea di Firenze (AEF) are coming together for a historic production of “The Light in the Piazza” in Florence, Italy, where the musical is set.
Polly Cornelius, associate teaching professor of music, who teaches the Summer Opera Workshop in Florence will debut the Italian premiere of the Tony-Award winning musical by composer Adam Guettel. Produced by Cornelius, the play will take place in the historic Medici Palace in Florence on June 11-12, through a collaboration between Elon University and AEF, Elon’s study abroad partner institution.
“For years, I have dreamed of producing “The Light in the Piazza” in Florence because the story is about a mother and daughter from Winston Salem, North Carolina who travel to Florence, Italy,” said Cornelius. “It has never been performed in Florence. We are the first. It could have been any university or organization, but it’s Elon who has the honor do this international, site-specific premiere.”
Based on the 1960 novel by Elizabeth Spencer, “The Light in the Piazza” follows Margaret Johnson, a mother from Winston Salem, who travels through Florence with her daughter Clara, who falls in love with an Italian man named Fabrizio. The musical won six Tony Awards including Best Original Score in 2005 and is known for its romantic story and score.
Cornelius, who has taught at AEF since 2018 through a summer opera workshop course, has dreamed of producing the musical to be an authentic international artistic experience for students.
Two years ago, Cornelius met with Guettel about producing the play in Florence which includes 14 Elon students, one Elon alumni, faculty, and professional Italian and American singers and performers. Elon alumni Gianni Palmarini ’22 returns to play the role of Fabrizio, while Cornelius will perform as Signora Naccarelli, the Italian mother.
“It’s been crazy but manageable to produce and perform a role, but I’m happy to be performing this particular role,” Corenlius said. “I’m excited for the everyone involved and to bring this famous musical to the city of Florence.”
The creative team includes Chris Rayis, assistant professor of performing arts as music director and conductor and Jacob Brent, assistant professor of music theatre, as stage director.
“This has become a huge collaboration between Elon, AEF, and the city of Florence” Cornelius said. “Our colleagues in Florence are so excited and have been working very hard too.”
The experience offers students a rare opportunity to rehearse and perform internationally while collaborating with professionals. Students in Cornelius’ course, “Opera in Italy: The Global Citizen Artist,” also take an Italian language course.
“This first opera was performed in Florence, Italy, so it’s especially meaningful to perform and study there,” Cornelius said. “Students are meeting Italian artists, performing alongside them, and learning about the Florentine culture.”
In addition to Elon students performing in the ensemble, music theatre majors Addyson Reese ’28 will play Clara Johnson and Mackenzie Tammara ’28 will play Franca Naccarelli.
For Reese and Tammara having a role in this musical is a dream come true.
“To perform this piece in Florence alongside incredible professionals is an absolute dream come true, and I am so grateful to be part of this project,” Reese said. “This show has been one of my all-time favorites since I first listened to the cast album at age 14. Clara has been one of my dream roles since high school and playing her in Florence is especially meaningful to me.”
The rehearsal process has been unique and included in person rehearsals with cast members in North Carolina and many virtual sessions with cast members from across the northeastern United States and Italy. The entire cast will have the opportunity to rehearse together in the days leading up to the performance in Florence.
“This show is bringing together people from all different parts of the world and allowing them to share universal themes of love and acceptance,” Tammara said. “The entire show is special to perform.”
For Tammara, her part comes with a learning curve, performing her lines in Italian. Many of her lines are in Italian and involve speaking with an Italian accent when she does speak in English. This is a challenge she has gladly taken on.
“I have spent a lot of time working on my lines since they aren’t in my native language,” Tammara said. “This is definitely the hardest score I have ever sung. It has tested my musicianship, vocal technique, and artistry. I have grown immensely.”
In May, the local cast members spent several days participating in a ‘bootcamp’ to rehearse and stage the show.
“My favorite part of this experience so far has been getting to work with the professional artists in the show during the bootcamp,” Reese said. “Jill Gardner, who plays my mom, Margaret Johnson, and Gianni are both incredible people and performers, and I have had the best time working on this material with them. I am learning so much from them and I can’t wait to keep learning once we start rehearsals in Italy.”
Gardner performed the opera house debut of this show with Piedmont Opera Company and is thrilled to reprise the role of Margaret in Florence.
Reese and Tammara are both honored to represent Elon in this international production.
“Elon has given me the opportunity to immerse myself in a world very different from my own, adding so much truth and variety to my craft,” Tammara said. “This is a once in a lifetime experience and I am so grateful to be living out my dream.”
For Cornelius, one of the most rewarding parts of the project has been watching Elon students engage in a global artistic experience with a dream cast.
“Seeing the excitement from the students, creative team, and colleagues in Florence makes me so excited,” Cornelius said. “So many people have supported this project, and after working on it for two years, it is incredible to finally see if come to life.”