Some would argue that the American musical has been spoiled by producers desires to do nothing more than make big, tall mountains of money. Plot? Talent? Imagination? Nah, they dont need them. Just put somebody in a giraffe suit and rake in the dough. But in 2005, The Light in the Piazza opened on Broadway to a New York Times review that called it an encouragingly ambitious musical that reaches for the sky. The story, adapted from a mid-century novella by Elizabeth Spencer, focuses on a middle-aged mother who takes her beautiful but brain--damaged daughter to Italy in 1953. Once there, love, regret and lots and lots of music fill the two womens world. The daughter, who has the mind of a child, attracts a handsome young Italian, and her mother is filled with nervousness and regrets. The complex tale won several Tony Awards, including Best Original Score, and now its here, thanks to Main Street Theater, where the show opens today. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays. (No performance Friday, January 9.) Through January 25. 4617 Montrose. For information, call 713-524-6706 or visit www.mainstreettheater.com. $10 to $36. (January 11 is pay-what-you-can, $5 and up.)
Thursdays-Sundays. Starts: Jan. 3. Continues through Jan. 25, 2009