When love blooms

On a trip to Italy in 1953, a fiercely protective American mother is determined to discourage the budding romance between her daughter and a handsome Florentine but finds herself succumbing to the country’s romantic spell in “A Light in the Piazza,” based on the novella by Elizabeth Spencer. The nationally touring musical by Craig Lucas (book) and Adam Guettel (music and lyrics) reunites the Tony Award-winning creative team from Broadway; Christine Andreas, Elena Shaddow and David Burnham head the cast.

“A Light in the Piazza,” Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Opens 8 p.m. Wednesday. $30 to $100. (213) 628-2772, www.centertheatregroup.org.

* Runs 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Sundays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Exceptions: Dark Nov. 23; 2 p.m. only Dec. 3 and Dec. 10. Added shows: 8 p.m. Nov. 20, 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 7. Ends Dec. 10.