Kyra Belle Johnson at Château de Chambord in March 2025.HandoutIt is only fitting that Kyra Belle Johnson should play the lead role in the national tour of “Beauty and the Beast.” Not only was she in a community theater production of the musical when she was 11 (proudly recalling that she was a sugar cube in scenes that took place in the Beast’s enchanted castle, and a village girl in the village scenes), but there’s that middle name. Alas, the moniker was not a nod to the beloved Disney princess, but a rather cool fact nonetheless: “On my dad’s side, through a marriage, we’re related to Alexander Graham Bell,” she said, noting that her parents “feminized” the famous inventor’s last name when they made it her middle name. The youngest of three children, Johnson, 28, said in a recent phone call from Washington, D.C. (where the show was being performed on the national tour, which stops in Boston starting next week) that she has loved musical theater for as long as she can remember. “This is a dream,” she said of her current role. “And while there’s the timeless romance that everyone knows so well from this story, we also have an opportunity to spread multi-generational joy through the theater. There are people whose first Broadway show was ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ and now they’re taking their child to [their] first musical to share that joy. It’s really something special.” Johnson, who graduated from Texas State University with a BFA in musical theater in 2021, got her first national tour — as Sophia Sheridan, the young bride-to-be in “Mamma Mia!” — right out of high school (she grew up in Palos Verdes, Calif.). Five months after she was offered the role of Belle (in October 2024), Johnson went with her sister and mother on a “Beauty and the Beast”-theme trip to the Alsace region of France, which is thought to be the inspiration for the 18th-century fairytale. She said experiencing the villages in and around Calmar added dimension to the character she plays, and the images of the Loire Valley’s Château de Chambord (Disney animators’ inspiration for the Beast’s castle for the 1991 animated feature film) “the height, the grandeur … are definitely in my brain when I’m on stage — and especially when I, as Belle, step into the castle for the first time.” We caught up with Johnson, who lives in New York City with her boyfriend, fellow actor Colin Trudell (who is currently in “The Lost Boys” on Broadway), and their cat, Olive, to talk about all things travel.
If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go?
Japan or South Korea. I’ve never been to Asia —and also, I want to experience the skincare.
Do you prefer booking trips through a travel agent or on your own?
On my own. I learned a lot from how my dad booked our family trips growing up. I know how to plan for the little things and the tiny conveniences that are worth it to pay for and what is better to do on my own. I also have a good gauge on my own needs for rest versus exploration.
Thoughts on an “unplugged” vacation?
Absolutely. I’m a huge fan of the whole “put the phone down and enjoy where you are” thing.
What has been your worst vacation experience?
I’m not going to name names, but let’s just say it was an all-inclusive, festival experience that just ended up being a mess for many reasons.
What is your favorite childhood travel memory?
Italy or Monte Negro. The waters in Montenegro were unreal. I’ve never forgotten swimming in Herceg Novi and the Blue Cave. Our trip to Italy was for a family friend’s birthday and they had family on the island of Ischia, so it was a huge Italian party for the week.
Do you vacation to relax, to learn, or for the adventure of it all?
All three. Vacation can serve many purposes and it’s all about what you value and how you want to spend your time. However, I’d say take a chance to learn about wherever you go and the culture, land, and history. It has only enriched every place I’ve gone.
What book do you plan on bringing with you to read on your next vacation?
“Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro.
If you could travel with one famous person/celebrity, who would it be?
I feel like Jennifer Lawrence and I would have a great time, but if I could travel with anyone, it’d be my older sister, Kendyl.
What is the best gift to give a traveler?
AirTags, a high-quality toiletry case, or shoe bags.
What is your go-to snack for a flight or a road trip?
Diet Coke and salted almonds.
What is the coolest souvenir you’ve picked up on a vacation?
Raw honey and lingonberries from Sweden. They didn’t last long, but they were memorable.
What is your favorite app/website for travel?
For flights, Kayak; for honest hotel reviews, TripAdvisor.
What has travel taught you?
You actually don’t need all that stuff. It’s just gonna weigh you down. And be more adventurous with the foods you eat.
What is your best travel tip?
Arrive wherever you’re going in the morning and leave at night; you get an extra day to do things and you don’t have to pay to stay for that extra night.
Juliet Pennington can be reached at writeonjuliet@comcast.net.