Meet the Cast - Ted Bushman as Signor Naccarelli

by Kristen Leinbach, Dramaturg

One of the most important relationships in this life is that between a family. In The Light in the Piazza we have the opportunity to experience the love and relationships found between many different types of families. Signor Naccarelli is the head of the Naccarelli's household and Fabrizio father. In BYU's production of Piazza Teb Bushman is portraying Signor Naccarelli and he shared the following,

"My name is Ted Bushman. I am a Senior MDT major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and by night I am a playwright and composer too. My favorite stuff I've done while at BYU includes putting on my first play, Fontanelle, which Scott Eckern directed, and composing a score for The Monster of Dr. Frankenstein in 2009, in which I also played the Monster. I loved the experimental, creative nature of those things, and that's a lot of what I love in real life. Apart from music and theatre, I like chicken of all varieties, artful video games, choral music & Daft Punk (usually back to back) and my family.

I play Signor Naccarelli, and for the life of me I can't find a first name for the guy. What I really like about playing him is how different he is from me. I didn't live in the fifties, I have nothing like an Italian temperament, I am not fashionable, whereas Signor Naccarelli is a patriarch of this Italian family, was involved in liaisons during WWII, is possessed of a great dignity and a great temper, and owns a tie shop.

One of my favorite stage directions in the play comes in a scene with Signor and Margaret, where it says "He shines his warmth on her." I love that, and it's something I understand about him. Signor Naccarelli feels very in charge of his world. In general, he knows what he wants and knows how to get it, and for other things he wants to make everyone feel happy and at home.

The best part about this journey of doing The Light in the Piazza is working with the cast and crew. I have never been involved in a production where such a spirit of focus and mutual compassion lives. It is particularly delightful to work with Kim Bunker, as our characters have a special relationship--we have too much fun and we hope Scott doesn't find out and stop it. It's also great to work with Michael Milkanin and Becca Petersen, who are so talented and so hard-working.

My last thought about Signor Naccarelli comes from one of his lines, where he rather poetically says that "the human heart is mysterious and sometimes also dangerous." I think more than anyone, Signor N. understands the complications of love, which are the center of this show."

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Light In The Piazza

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by Janine Sobeck, dramaturg Tech week is one of the most exciting moments in any show. It's the time when we get to leave our rehearsal room, move onto stage, and add all of the production elements. To help the actors adapt to all the changes we usually make a gradual transition. Pre-tech: While still in the rehearsal room, actors are given certain rehearsal props and costumes to help them in the creation of their characters. In the case of Princess Academy, all the girls were given rehearsal skirts and all the characters were given rehearsal books and and other items (such as the miri flower). We also added all of the instruments used in the show. Tech day 1: The first day of tech included adding the set and sound. One of the biggest changes for our actors is the ramps on our stage. They finally had the opportunity to climb the mountain! Tech day 2: It's time to add the props! In order to support Director Megan Sanborn Jones' vision of the show, prop designer Scott Jackson made all of the props out of paper, letters, and books. Tech days 3-4: This is what we call an "All Tech." The final elements of the show (lights, costumes, and make-up) are added into the mix. Day 3 is spent working through all the cues in act 1 and day 4 is spent working through act 2. Tech days 5-7: The time has come to run the show! These are our dress rehearsals, where the goal is to do the show exactly as if it was a real performance. This means starting at our normal curtain time and trying to never stop. The director, playwright, dramaturgs, and designers sit in the audience making notes about what is working and what still needs to change. At the end of the nights, the actors and designers are given feedback and we rehearse any moments that need some extra attention. Tech day 8: Which is today! Tonight is the time when we finally get to add the final element of the show: the audience! Our final day of tech is known as the "preview performance." Friends, families, and students are invited to see the show before we officially open. While we always reserve the right to stop the show if necessary (it is, after all, still a rehearsal), we hope that everything will go smoothly!

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Last week, A Midsummer Night’s Dream opened in the Nelke Theatre and it was a great success! Eric and I were pleased to be a part of the opening night and celebrate not only the opening night of the production, but also the 40th anniversary of the Brigham Young University Young Company. In order to set the tone of the evening, patrons were encouraged to check out the lobby display that Eric and I had created for the show. We chose to do a puppet making station, aptly named “The Mechanicals Puppet Making Station” where guests and participants could make their own puppet out of a sock or paper bag. Other craft supplies were provided for the participants—allowing them to use their imagination and create a unique puppet that they could take home. Creating such a lobby display, we hoped to provide patrons, and especially children, with an opportunity to use their imagination and create something special, as well as connect with the style of the production before seeing the show. The role of puppetry is crucial to this adaptation of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream—and we wanted to capture this and incorporate it whatever lobby display we chose. The actor’s hard work and rehearsal, as well as that of the production team, paid off—they did a marvelous job in telling the story of these loopy lovers and the adventures that take place in the magical forest. The puppetry skills and acting chops of the actors, the enchanting costumes, simple set design, and energy from the whole cast was thoroughly enjoyed by the very diverse and supportive audience. It was a packed house: if not sold out, very close. And this definitely contributed to the energetic feeling that pervaded the evening. Perhaps it was the presence of so many alumni from the Young Company that had come to support the production and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the formation of Young Company. Among the guests at the premier were Harold Oaks, founder of the BYU Young Company. Following the play, a presentation was made outlining and honoring the history and legacy of Young Company. Young Company has done an outstanding job for the last 40 years in providing quality theatre (adaptations and original works alike) for children that may not be exposed to the performing arts. A wonderful reception followed the presentation and was well enjoyed by cast and crew alike. A Midsummer Night’s Dream closes at BYU this Saturday, the 14th. Make sure to get your tickets soon and catch this unique production while you can! It will then go on tour throughout Northern Utah, presenting its whimsical and humorous message to elementary school children. Following are some images from the Opening Night Gala!

Meet the Cast - Ted Bushman as Signor Naccarelli

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