She’s Starring In The Role Of A Lifetime In ‘The Light In The Piazza’

For more than a quarter century the Encores! series at City Center reinterprets and offers a new vision for great American musicals. And this week the beloved 2005 musical The Light In The Piazza opens.

With lush and sweeping music and lyrics by Adam Guettel and a book by Craig Lucas, the story, which is based on Elizabeth Spencer’s novel takes place in Italy in the 1950s. Margaret Johnson and her daughter Clara are tourists from the United States traveling through the Tuscan countryside. Life as they know it transforms when gust of wind blows Clara’s hat to a young Florentine, Fabrizio Naccarelli. Their connection is electric, which challenges everyone, especially Margaret.

ADVERTISEMENT

When the show originally opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theater in Lincoln Center, with Victoria Clark as Margaret, Kelli O’Hara playing Clara and Matthew Morrison as Fabrizio the show won six Tony Awards, including Best Original Score.

For this Encores! production director Chay Yew has reexamined the musical in a new way, from an Asian American perspective. Tony-winning actor Ruthie Ann Miles, a Korean American plays Margaret with Anna Zavelson, a Japanese American, as Clara.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The main message of the show, especially for Clara and Fabrizio, is about the purity of love,” says Zavelson who strongly believes that the directive towards love and acceptance need replenishing, particularly right now. “The Asian American community can use some more stories of love,” she adds. “Without changing the message of the show, we are able to tell this beautiful story in the way it was intended, while also adding moments that are specific to immigrants and foreigners becoming accepted in a different place.”

For Zavelson, reframing the story center upon an Asian American family was truly substantial. “Asian representation in the arts can be accomplished in a multitude of ways,” she says. “Having Asian-centered stories written and performed is so important, but also to be able to go to a show that wasn’t written with a face like mine in mind and see someone who looks like me, is also necessary.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Zavelson, who began performing professionally when she was in the 7th grade in the hit TV show 13 Reasons Why, cannot wait for audiences to see an Asian Clara and Margaret. “These roles have been beloved in the musical theater cannon for a long time,” says the Jimmy Awards finalist who fell in love with performing when she did Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in first grade. “And growing up, I never thought I would see this show with someone who looked like me onstage.”

The Light In The Piazza also resonates with people so deeply because the show asks us to measure the cost of connecting with others. How do we rectify when our heart guides us one way but our mind takes us somewhere else? Also, how do we let those we love make choices that we might not agree with.

ADVERTISEMENT

“This show is so beautiful. And there are aspects of every part of the human experience—the joy and heartbreak of it all,” says Zavelson. “If people come out of the show feeling uplifted or moved in any way, I think we did our job.”

Zavelson also hopes that audiences feels the sense of love that the cast has for one another. “In these few short weeks, we have grown into an incredibly tight knit family,” she says. “And while it is heartbreaking to have to leave them so soon, we are enjoying every second onstage with one another. People seeing our production will be able to get that sense of family.”

Jeryl Brunner: What qualities does Clara have that you adore?

Anna Zavelson: Clara is such a beautiful, nuanced character, and I love getting to explore her character traits and the way she goes through the world. She is so filled with energy and optimism, and she leads with an open heart. It’s interesting to see the progression of Clara’s character, because Margaret, along with the audience, can underestimate the depth of her understanding throughout the show.

ADVERTISEMENT

Clara is falling in love for the first time, and she immediately forms such a pure bond with Fabrizio because they both look at the world in a clear, simple way. Margaret doesn’t believe her daughter is capable of loving and living on her own, but as the musical progresses, Clara demonstrates that she realizes what love is, and Margaret is inspired to look at her own relationship.

Brunner: Can you share what went through you mind when you learned that you were cast as Clara in The Light In The Piazza?

Zavelson: The moment that I got the call is such a vivid memory and is so special to me. I was sitting in my dorm room in college at the University of Michigan writing an essay for a theater class and chatting with my incredible roommate. I had flown out to New York City a few days before for a round of callbacks for The Light In The Piazza. And I had gotten some hints that I had booked the part, but I’m always paranoid so I wouldn’t let myself believe that an opportunity like this could actually happen.

The second that I hung up, I ran and hugged my roommate, who caught the whole exchange on video. Hearing that I would be playing Clara Johnson felt, and still feels, so unreal. I had known about this particular production since last year when it was announced, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get to be a part of it. It felt like a miracle, like a special instance of the stars aligning.

ADVERTISEMENT

Brunner: City Center is such a beautiful theater with so much great history. Why is it meaningful to do the Light In the Piazza there?

Zavelson: The theater is gorgeous, and so iconic. The Light in the Piazza is a musical that has meant so much to people over the years. Especially for many people of my generation, it’s a show that we have fallen in love with based on a cast recording, but never had the opportunity to experience live. City Center Encores! is so special because it spotlights shows that people might not otherwise get the chance to see. And I’m excited that we’ll get to introduce this beautiful show to others.

Brunner: In a parallel universe, what do you wish you could tell Clara?

Zavelson: I would tell Clara to embrace who she is and to never doubt that she is enough. She is such an optimistic and lovable person, and when she doubts herself towards the end of the show, it’s heartbreaking because she has been the light throughout the play.

Brunner: You were a finalist in the 2002 Jimmy Awards. Also known as the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, the awards reward excellence in student performance. Van Kaplan, co-founder and director of The Jimmy Awards says the weeklong training “helps students build a foundation that will carry them throughout the rest of their careers.” How did the experience change you?

ADVERTISEMENT

Zavelson: The Jimmy Awards was a crazy, exciting experience. I was so surprised to hear my name called. I believe the joy and the adrenaline kicked in before my solo performance, which allowed me to just feel the excitement to perform versus the nerves.

The kids that I met throughout the week and the professionals who worked with us were all so kind and incredible. One of those professionals is MaryAnn Hu, who was my coach for the week. She has continued to be such an incredible mentor and support system. I am so grateful to the Jimmy’s for allowing me to meet another Asian artist to learn from and look up to.

Brunner: How would you describe working with the great Ruthie Ann Miles and what has she taught you?

Zavelson: Ruthie Ann Miles is a superhuman, and has been the most incredible mentor and friend throughout this process. I, like many other aspiring AAPI performers, was such a fan of hers before getting cast in this show, and every day I learn so much from just watching her work. Ruthie has been the biggest supporter and has helped me through all of the rehearsals with such a positive spirit.

ADVERTISEMENT

Earlier today I came into my dressing room to find it completely decked out with streamers, balloons, and cookies. Ruthie had come in before me to decorate my room in celebration of my professional debut. I feel so lucky to have gotten to work with someone as special and wonderful as Ruthie. And I will sing her praises for eternity.