About the Musical

FLORENCE, ITALY 1455 – The Dawn of the Renaissance

It is 1455.

Just ahead: the Inquisition and the genius of Galileo and Newton

Just ahead: the discovery of the New World

Just ahead: the spectacular careers of Leonardo Da Vinci and Michaelangelo. And Europe, itself, has just emerged from the brutal, soul-less middle ages.

There is a new light on the horizon. It is the renaissance: the rebirth of art, of architecture and literature. And at the dawning of this new light – as happens in every age – there arose men of vision and of extraordinary gifts.

One of those early giants was Fra Filippo di Tommaso di Lippi. Fra Lippi, an orphan raised in the Carmelite Abby in Florence, never intended to be a servant of God. He plainly had other ideas. His paintings, frescos and panels would become the master-pieces that all of those who followed would study. And his reputation as a lover of earthly pleasures was justly earned.

But . . .  this is a love story.

A true love story.

All of the fanciful trappings that this author – and others – have attached to this man do not belie the truth: this love story happened. Embellishments, time line moves and characters have been added, dismissed or combined.

But this love story happened. And it brought into conflict the Catholic Church and the cultural and civic leaders of Florence, indeed, of all of Italy.

This love story holds all of the consequences and frailties that have possessed mankind since the dawning of civilization: betrayal, lust, anger, remorse, revenge, justice, life and death. Transformation.

Most of all, Fra Lippi’s story levitates an awareness of the true power of love that transcends time; that makes his story relevant more than 550 years later.

This musical play is but one storyteller’s version of this incredible journey. And this musical has Cirque du Soleil inspired acrobatics on the scaffold, a breath taking sword fight, digital visual magic, spectacle, drama, comedy, action and passion. It has unlikely heroes and, of course, sensational choreography.

Lippi: Pittore d’Amore: It’s a very colorful musical journey!