Opera Santa Barbara presents
The Light in the Piazza

March 23 - March 26, 2023

Directed by Layna Chianakas
Musical Direction by Timothy Accurso

Opera Santa Barbara's Chrisman Studio Artists present the acclaimed musical by Adam Guettel and Craig Lucas.

Based on the 1960 novella by Elizabeth Spencer, The Light in the Piazza tells the story of Margaret Johnson, a wealthy Southern woman, and her daughter Clara, who falls in love with a young Italian man during a vacation in Italy. The show opened on Broadway in 2005 and ran for 504 performances. With a sophisticated score that lends itself to operatic voices, the Chicago Tribune hailed it as “the most soul-satisfying score written for Broadway so far this century,” The Light in the Piazza soon entered the repertoire of opera companies across the country.

This production will feature current and past members of our Chrisman Studio Artist Program, which is named in recognition of the support of Roger and Sarah Chrisman. Thanks to the recent expansion of the Studio Program, Opera Santa Barbara selected a studio showcase that highlighted the growth and talent of our studio artists. Husband-and-wife singers and CSA alumni Matthew Greenblatt and Brooklyn Snow will star in the March 23 and March 25 performances as Clara Johnson and Fabrizio Naccarelli. Current Studio Artists Ariana Horner Sutherland and Kyle Rudolf will portray the young couple on March 24 and 26. Singing the roles of the mothers, Margaret Johnson and Signora Naccarelli will be mezzo-sopranos Christina Pezzarossi and Georgia Jacobson, with Signor Naccarelli sung by Matthew Peterson and Elijah Cineas. Omar Rodriguez will sing the role of Fabrizio’s brother, Giuseppe, and his wife Franca will be portrayed by long-time OSB chorus member, Adrien Roberts, marking her 22nd production with Opera Santa Barbara. The production will be directed by Layna Chianakas, director of last season’s production of Speed Dating Tonight and the mainstage production of Tosca, and will be accompanied by members of the Opera Santa Barbara Orchestra under the direction of OSB Principal Pianist and Director of the Chrisman Studio, Tim Accurso.

Learn more by visiting www.operasb.org

Performance Dates and Times:

Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 7:30 PM (Includes an artist reception to follow the performance.)
Friday, March 24, 2023, at 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 7:30 PM
Sunday, March 26, 2023, at 2:30 PM

**All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.**

All seating is reserved unless otherwise noted. For all performances, there is no late seating once the performance begins. Please plan your arrival time accordingly.

There are no social distancing requirements in place for seating. There are no vaccine or testing requirements at this time. Masks are encouraged but not required. We are continuing our mitigation efforts. The HVAC system for the theater is set to bring in 100% fresh air. We are using CDC-recommended MERV-13 filters, the air is turned over 7.35 times an hour, and we also have portable HEPA air purifiers and our generous use of hand sanitizer.  (thank you to the Santa Barbara Foundation!) All of our staff are fully vaccinated, and performers are either vaccinated or tested negative before performing.

You can use either e-tickets, print-at-home tickets, or request Will Call tickets to be waiting for you at the Box Office. If you have any questions, please email Executive Director Teri Ball at info@centerstagetheater.org.

Thank you to everyone in the community who supported us through this prolonged intermission. We would not still be here without your support.