There is a sweet, touching, and surprisingly gentle love story masquerading as an unknown musical on stage in Palo Alto, "The Light in the Piazza," by Craig Lucas and Adam Guettel. It is a down to earth, new classic. It comes to local venues with high credentials. The play debuted on Broadway in 2005, taking possession of six Tony awards and received another five of the top nominations. "The Light in the Piazza," a bright shinning new face on stage, sets a high standard for future musical endeavors. It has panache and Žlan and a wonderful peaceful energy.

The Palo Alto Players, under the direction of Jeanie Forte, bring a delightful charm to an appreciative audience. Based on Elizabeth Spencer's 1960s novella, the tale is simple, the set elegant, the music (directed by Jonathan Erman) sublime, and the performances superb. This is the complete package.

The year is 1953 and Margaret Johnson has taken her 20-something daughter to Florence, Italy on a summer holiday. While sightseeing around the piazza, Clara sees a sight that takes her breath away. His name is Fabrizio, a handsome young Florentine of marriageable age. While the two fall in love, Clara's mom mounts a campaign to keep the two separate. But it's Italy, and they're in love.

Fabrizio's family is thrilled with the upcoming nuptials. As Margaret senses this could be Clara's only true claim to happiness, she finally relents. But making the decision wasn't easy. There is a twist and a turn that causes a

personal and major conflict, making this smooth milk chocolate piece of candy just a bit bittersweet.

Along with struggling with personal issues, Margaret and Clara had to handle Italian culture and structure. There was a whole lot of learning going on, both on stage and in the audience. It was a lot of fun.

Diana Torres Koss, as Margaret, wonderfully crafts an impeccably engaging mother whose only care was the happiness of her offspring. Koss was evocative of a gentler time, carrying a warm heart and love of her daughter. Koss has strength in singing that elevated and inspired.

Equal on stage was Dominique Bonino as Clara. Casting was spot on as Bonino delightfully presented the young lady Clara as youthful and innocent. She used her clear sweet voice to share her hopes and dreams and disappointments. She held tender moments with Justin Taylor Nixon, whose boyish charms as Fabrizio melted her heart. Nixon, tall and capable, carried his part and songs quite well.

The large cast formed a tight ensemble that brought all the pieces together quite nicely. The orchestra played with grace and composure. The set, sound and lights brought magic to the stage. I saw the show late in its run, but don't you be late and miss an opportunity to visit with this new staged classic piece of theater.

A word about the music; one walks away from the theater with a smile, but not humming any of the tunes. Most of the story was presented in operatic form, and half the time, it was presented in Italian. Never fear, the music was so perfectly written, that one understood the meaning without having to understanding the text.

"The Light in the Piazza" is a tender and gentle offering that should be on everyone's must-see list. "The Light in the Piazza" plays at the Palo Alto Players through May 11. The theater is located at The Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. For box office and reservation information, call (650) 329-0891.

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W. Fred Crow is a local music director and frequent attendee of the arts. Contact him at wfredcrow@yahoo.com.