MovieChat Forums > Light in the Piazza (1962) Discussion > Torn between two fabrizio's: Morrison/La...

Torn between two fabrizio's: Morrison/Lazar

posted 17 years ago by little_miss_grim
3 replies | jump to latest

First of all, i should probably say that i adore the Light In the Piazza...however, i come from the UK and so I have only seen the songs on youtube, and the second half of the musical that i managed to download...my opinions may be a bit inaccurate hehe

Anyway i was just curious as to the opinions of piazza fans really: who is the better Fabrizio and why? Because i simply cannot decide :)

When i first found out that Matthew Morrison, the "Hairspray Hunk" hehe, was doing Piazza i have to confess that i became utterly biased towards him. I really do think that although he doesn't have the classical voice training which Aaron possesses, that his voice is equally as beautiful and that he hits every note with perfection. I believe that Matt should be commended for challenging himself and throwing his heart, soul and energy into something that is the polar opposite of Hairspray. Of course Aaron worked equally as hard and that shows in his performance, but i think that Matt deserves some credit as the first actor to pull off the Italian, the daunting high notes and the dramatic performance.

However, i do find Aaron to be more authentic in the role. I actually believe he is Italian whereas Matt seems a bit too relaxed. Then again maybe Fabrizio is supposed to radiate that relaxed charisma and youth? Or should he be more openly naive as Aaron chose to portray the character? I feel Aaron's Fabrizio to be more the equal of Clara in his experience of life and love, whereas Matt's character seems more overtly confident and sexual perhaps? But Clara's journey seems to be a little concerned with sexual awakening so is that good characterization by Matt?

I love both actors: they are fantastic and i hope will have long, established careers.

sorry i have so many questions...i really wished i could watch the whole musical through with both actors: but please let me know your opinions...

Also...do you think that Aaron had more freedom with the character as Matthew was presenting Fabrizio for the first time and may have been more heavily dictated to by the lovely Mr Guettel?

I do believe that Aaron made the character his own entirely though, and following a Tony winner/nominee in Matt's case is more difficult.

*Emile Hirsch, no GG, one SAG, one Oscar??*

[–] funnygurl 16 years ago

I was fortunate enough to see both performances. I liked Morrison but I feel that Lazar is by far the better performer in the role.
My problem with Morrison is largely that I think his voice is better suited musicals like Hairspray. The Piazza score is more classically inspired and Lazar's voice works well in that.
I also feel like Morrison's Fabrizio seemed a bit...slick at times. Lazar had just as much sexual magnatism but combined with a naitivity that convinces the viewer that his interions towards Clara are entirely genuine.
Morrison actually wasn't the first person to play Fabrizio. Steven Pasquale played the role when the show opened at Seattle's Intiman theater before its Broadway run. He was unable to continue on with the show because of his commitment to the TV show, Rescue Me. The the show did its second out of town try out at the Goodman theater in Chicago with Wayne Wilcox as Fabrizio. He was also unable to continue onto Broadway, and that's when Matthew Morrison was cast.

[–] SCsurfguy 10 years ago

I've only seen Lazar in the full musical and a few clips of Morrison. I really like Lazar. Maybe it's his look. To me he seems more Italian, and the sensitivity with which he approaches Clara is really romantic. Morrison may have captured this as well, but I'm not sure I would even need to see him now that I've seen Lazar.

Morrison is very talented…singer, dancer, actor. But I was transfixed by Lazar.

I can see a little of what one poster was mentioning. Lazar seems to be having fun with the role. Just going with it, with some flexibility and really getting into it. Morrison seems more polished, structured and seems more like an actor playing a part.

Either way, the music is great, and it's the perfect movie on which to build a musical.

[–] macguffinlassie 16 years ago

Isn't this board for the film?