A young star rises in ‘When You Wish’ at Tuacahn

IVINS — To highlight its 20th anniversary achievement, Tuacahn Center for the Arts is set to debut the world premiere of Disney’s “When You Wish.”

“We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with Disney over the last several years.  We are happy to receive the rights to produce the premiere of Disney’s ‘When You Wish,’” Tuacahn’s Artistic Director Scott Anderson said. “This spectacular stage production features classic full choreographed live production numbers. This fantastic live production coupled with a stunning panoramic backdrop will be something your family will never forget.”

whenyouwishWhen You Wish” travels into a little girl’s imagination on a magical journey through popular Disney classics, including “Mulan,” “Aladdin,” “Tarzan,” “Newsies,” “Mary Poppins,” “The Little Mermaid” and many more surprises.  The little girl weaves in and out of her favorite Disney stories as her bedtime book comes alive in a Disney fantastical way.

Originally the “little girl” character was to serve as an introduction and closing to the production numbers in between; bookends in a sense.  The casting for this character had to be just right as the “little girl” must set the right tone for the show.  Enter stage right, almost-12-year-old Bridgette Biggers.

“When Bridgette performed for us at her audition, we were pleasantly surprised,” Anderson said. “It is one of those moments as a director when your gut tells you instantly that you got something special in this young actress.”

As fate would have it, it was decided that the “little girl” in Disney’s “When You Wish” would take on a much bigger role.  Now instead of just bookends, the “little girl” threads her way through a medley of Disney dreamscapes from visiting a strange new world with Aladdin to swimming under the sea with Ariel. Bridgette Biggers was perfect for the role.

Bridgette Biggers, the lead in the upcoming Tuacahn production 'When You Wish', Ivins, Utah, undated | Photo courtesy of Tuacahn, St. George News
Bridgette Biggers, the lead in the upcoming Tuacahn production ‘When You Wish’, Ivins, Utah, undated | Photo courtesy of Tuacahn, St. George News

It’s in her genes

From Lehi, Bridgette Biggers is thrilled to be part of Disney’s When You Wish at Tuacahn.  Though this is Bridgette’s first appearance at Tuacahn, musical theater is anything but new to her.  In fact her mother, Margarita Biggers, born and raised in Donetsk, Ukraine, has an extensive background in ballet and folk dance studying at a prestigious school of dance in Ukraine.  Ben Biggers, her father, is a talented jazz musician playing both clarinet and saxophone, and he sometimes lets Bridgette sing with his jazz quartet.

Interestingly enough, in 2008, Margarita Biggers attended Tuacahn’s production of “The Sound of Music” and was inspired by what she saw.  This helped to motivate her getting Bridgette involved in theater when Bridgette showed early signs of raw musical talent.  Now, seven years later in full circle, Bridgette will star on that very same stage.

The stage is set

At only 5 years old and already enrolled at the Classical Ballet Academy in Provo, Bridgette’s mother enrolled her at the Robbins Musical Theatre Academy.  Director Mindy Smoot Robbins, an accomplished musical theater artist in her own right, heard something special in Bridgette’s voice and agreed to teach her despite her being so young.

At age 7, Bridgette attended theater camp at Hale Center Theatre in Orem to further her experience.  This led to private lessons, again despite her young age, by Bonnie Whitlock, master class instructor for Hale Theatre.

Being so young, the rest is a short history. At 10, Bridgette got the leading role in “Annie” at Draper Historic Theatre, where even her very own and very talented dog, Tina, got to play the role of Sandy.  The next year she was cast as Brigitta Von Trapp in “The Sound of Music.” Bridgette’s big break came at age 8 when she was cast as Gracy Smithe, at Centerpointe Legacy Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol.”  Gracy is a little girl whose mother dies and her father begs Mr. Scrooge for more time to pay his debts.  Bridgette melted the hearts of audiences as well as the heart of Mr. Scrooge in her stunning portrayal of little Gracy.

This summer Bridgette will showcase her unique talent at Tuacahn Center for the Arts, Utah’s largest professional theatre, in front of thousands of people from all over the world.

Beyond The Stage

Does all of this attention seem to take a toll on Bridgette?  Not a bit. She is a well-grounded young woman who loves her family and expresses gratitude for her many talents.  She doesn’t let her successes affect who she is.

“Bridgette is wise beyond her years and exhibits great maturity,” Ben Biggers said. “Yet she retains a childlike playfulness and enjoys being silly and even goofy with her family and friends.  She has a natural draw that attracts people to her and she makes friends very easily. She is confident and self-assured.”

So what does the future hold for Bridgette Biggers?  Bridgette dreams one day to become a star on Broadway; and she is well on her way to making that dream a reality.  Come and see Bridgette perform live this summer in Disney’s “When You Wish” this summer at Tuacahn!

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