Meet the Cast - Becca Petersen as Clara Johnson

By Kristen Leinbach, Dramaturg

When asked about writing The Light in the Piazza and about the relationships of the characters, Craig Lucas said the following

“Clara apprehends the world differently than her mother. [Margaret] goes through Italy with a guidebook. But the girl sees experiences, she sees the light in the piazza. She literally experiences the light as representative of her deepest feelings…That’s why the score has moments where words no longer suffice or are no longer important. It’s the feeling and light. Those things carry us. Human beings are just a conduit for love. I think Clara sees that. Love comes before her and after her.”

I asked Becca Petersen, portraying Clara Johnson, to share a little about her life as well as her experience getting to really know Clara.

“I am Becca Petersen from Carmel, Indiana. I am a senior studying Music Dance Theatre. I will be graduating in April with plans of moving to New York City! At BYU I have performed in PETER PAN as well as two years in the Young Ambassadors traveling to Southern Africa and China. These past two summers I have performed professionally at The Muny and Music Theatre of Wichita. Aside from musical theatre I love to go thrift shopping, take naps, eat out, and spend time with my friends and family.

Clara Johnson has always been one of my dream roles and I could not be more excited and grateful to have the opportunity to play her.

The Light in the Piazza follows Clara and her mother, Margaret, as they travel through Italy. Clara is a very youthful girl who lives life exactly in the moment. She is bright-eyed as she sees and experiences this new place for the first time. The plot is centered around relationships: Clara’s relationship with her mother and her new budding relationship with a Florentine boy, Fabrizio. I feel that I connect with Clara on many levels. I love to travel, explore, and see new places. Because of previous travel opportunities I have had I understand what it is like experiencing different cultures and having to figure out how you fit in. In the show many of the characters, including Clara, go through big life transitions. Currently I can relate as I am getting ready to graduate, preparing to move to NY, having family members and close friends get married, and trying to understand love and relationships of my own. All of these experiences can be scary but can also be incredible if we let ourselves learn, grow, and live in them. We must allow ourselves to find the happiness and joy in all things we experience. In essence, that is what Clara does. Clara finds what makes her happy.”

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Light In The Piazza

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by Jessa Cunningham, dramaturg Now that you know what the Victorian Era was, it is appropriate that you knew what it was like, particularly for the wealthy. Propriety was of the utmost importance for upper class Victorians, and there were many rules to follow. Every aspect of life had strict rules that must be followed, as they were concerned with how they were perceived. You will get a peak at those in this post, and in the next post you will see how members of the cast handle themselves when I have them follow some of the (sometimes outrageous) rules. General Rules: Learn to deny yourself and prefer others Never speak or act in anger At a Dinner Party: The room may be lighted with either white or colored candles or lamps. Many prefer to have a portion of the light fall from side brackets or from the wall. No more than two vegetables should be served with each entree and potatoes should not be offered with fish. On the Street: A gentleman may take two ladies upon his arms, but under no circumstances should the lady take the arms of two gentlemen. No gentleman will smoke when walking with or standing in the presence of a lady standing in the street. At the Theatre: A gentleman desiring a lady to accompany him to the opera, theatre, or other place of amusement, must send her a written invitation not later than the day previous to the entertainment. It must be written in the third person, upon white note-paper of the finest quality, with an env elope to match. A gentleman accompanying a lady is not bound to give up his seat to another lady. His duty is to the lady he accompanies. When Visiting: A man should always remain standing as long as there are any women standing in the room. Do not scratch your head or use a toothpick, earspoon or comb. Breaches of Etiquette: Turn your chair so that your back faces another guest. To stare around a room. This is just a little taste of the many rules that were strictly followed during this time. When you come to see the show, try to take notice and see if the characters follow some of these points of etiquette!

Meet the Cast - Becca Petersen as Clara Johnson

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