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 Kasey Kopp, dramaturg As we've explored, Belle and Beast's love story is known (in some capacity) across the globe--whether that be the well-known Disney musical or a legend or formative story. This week I sat down to learn about the backstory of the power couple who brought this well known romance to the BYU stage and some of the rewards and challenges of performing together. [caption id="attachment_4197" align="alignleft" width="254"] Johnny and Twyla Wilson as Beast and Belle, respectively.[/caption] Johnny and Twyla Wilson were married in 2013 and have loved performing together in this well-known and beloved musical, bringing to life the characters of Belle and Beast. This is not their first time playing opposite one another. They have appeared together in the Frank Wildhorn musical, Bonnie and Clyde, and recently starred as Mary Poppins and Bert in Disney's Mary Poppins. When asked about her reaction to receiving the role of Belle, Twyla said that she was "terrified." She explained that Belle is such an iconic and much-beloved Disney princess and she worried about her performance of the heroine. She said that she was so grateful that "George (Nelson, director) allowed me to bring so much of myself to the character. I get to bring a lot of Twyla to Belle each night and it's so wonderful and rewarding when I'm told they like my interpretation of Belle because there is so much of me in her." Although at times difficult to not break character, the Wilson's are completely professional in their performances and remain grounded, really taking in the unique and special experience of playing opposite each other on the BYU stage. When asked about playing opposite his wife and what that experience is like, Johnny said, "The love in a show with any couple is always the foundation of the character’s interactions and so people who aren’t already in love have to build that...since we already bring that, it makes building characters who have that relationship a lot easier because we’ve already got the first task of the job done.” Even after the production closed on December 10th, the Wilson's happily ever after continues on.

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by Kelsee Jackson, dramaturg It's easy to fall in love with the Edwardian time period. It has fascinated scholars, authors, playwrights, and screenwriters for years. The clothes, the mannerisms, the parties, and the people are intriguing and fashionable. It makes the perfect backdrop for dramatic and comedic stories alike. But if Misalliance closes tomorrow, how will you get your Edwardian fix? If you, like many others, simply can't get enough of the Edwardian lifestyle, here are some stories you might fancy. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Published in 1902, this novel follows the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and his trusty companion Dr. Watson as they try to solve the mystery of an attempted murder and a fearsome, supernatural beast. This novel still ranks as one of the UK's most beloved stories, and many films and TV shows have been made about Sherlock's many adventures. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie Peter Pan was first published as part of a novel called The Little White Bird in 1902. J.M. Barrie expanded it and published it as a play in 1904. The play captured the imaginations of grown-ups and children alike, emphasizing the magic of childhood years. While most of this story takes place in the enchanted world of Neverland, hints Edwardian lifestyle can be seen in scenes at home, with Wendy, Michael and John's parents. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett A beloved story about a little girl who is suddenly orphaned and left in a desolate condition. She makes friends and learns how to enhance the situation she is put in through kindness and love. First published in 1905, A Little Princess and The Secret Garden, Burnett's most beloved books, have lasted throughout the century in the hearts of children and grown-ups alike. Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw Perhaps one of George Bernard Shaw's most well-known plays, it follows the story of a flower sellswoman Eliza Doolittle and Professor Higgins and he tries to turn her into a proper lady. While this process became more complicated than Higgins could have imagined, he certainly never expected to fall in love with her! The first production of Pygmalion premiered in Vienna in 1913 and soon moved to London and New York. Years later, this smashing success was made into a beloved musical, My Fair Lady. These few Edwardian gems are filled with humor, drama, and style and we hope you enjoy them! With the closing of Misalliance, we want to thank you for seeing and supporting the show. What a fun run it has been! Don't forget to get your tickets to other fantastic BYU productions by going to arts.byu.edu.

Meet the Cast - Becca Petersen as Clara Johnson

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