More About the Show

 

THIS SHOW RUNS APPROXIMATELY 2-1/2 HOURS.

~ Please note: fog effects are used in this production.

~ We open the house 45 minutes before curtain. You may want to arrive a bit early to enjoy the exhibit in our art gallery with a cup of coffee and one of our popular big cookies.

~ Join the director and cast members for a post-show discussion following the Sunday matinee on February 26th.

~ The Sunday, March 4th performance will be audio-described, based on reservations. Click here for a description of this and other access services at TRP.

 

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW...

“A beautiful, beautiful play...thrilling and uplifting.” —New York News

 

She was a witch. A saint. A fanatic. An illiterate peasant who conversed with saints and angels.  A maiden dressed as a man who lived chastely among coarse soldiers.  A warrior who carried not a weapon, but the banner of Christ. With nothing but the strength of her conviction, she made her way from the pastures of Domremy to lead the French army to victory over the occupying forces of England; and restored the Dauphin to the French throne. She was burned at the stake. She died at the age of 19.

 

Whatever you believe about her, Joan of Arc remains an enigma.  Yet both believers and non-believers alike, including artists and writers from Shakespeare to Voltaire, Verdi, Shaw and Twain have been inspired by her brief, vivid life.

 

The Lark, Jean Anouilh’s 1953 historical drama about Joan’s trial, acts out the major events of her life in a simple, highly theatrical style that illuminates Joan’s humanity and her purity.

 

Director Randy Reyes said, “The character of Warwick in the very beginning of the play says, ‘I’m am not here to watch that children’s story of the warrior virgin, strong and tender, dressed in white armor, white standard streaming in the wind.’ And I completely agree with him. I’m interested in telling the story of a girl who accomplished great things because of her faith during a time when her country needed something to believe in.

“In the world today with so much sarcasm and irony, it was refreshing to come across a character that meant what she said and believed what she felt,” says Reyes.  “That purity was powerful enough to move a country to action. I want to believe that that can still exist today and be used in a positive way.”

Famed American writer Lillian Hellman’s adaptation of The Lark became her first Broadway hit in 1955, with Julie Harris winning a Tony Award in her role as Joan.

 

The Cast

Warwick:  David Tufford
Cauchon:  Rod Kleiss
Joan:  Bethany Peters
Joan’s Father/Captain La Hire:  Adam King
Joan’s Mother/Queen Yolande:  Anna Olson
Joan’s Brother:  Troy Iverson
The Promoter:  Jesse Corder
The Inquisitor:  David F. Dubin
Brother Ladvenu:  Ryan Henderson
Robert de Beaudricourt:  Andrew Troth
Agnes Sorel:  Sabrina Crews
The Little Queen:  McKinnley Aitchison
Charles, The Dauphin:  Eric Eichenlaub
Monsieur de la Tremouille:  Paul Rutledge
Archbishop of Reims:  Charles Numrich

 

Artistic & Production Staff

Director:  Randy Reyes
Dramaturg/Dialect Coach:  Elizabeth Chaigne
Set Designer:  Philip Hoks
Costume Designer:  Sophie S. Schneider
Lighting Designer:  A. Camille Holthaus
Sound Designer:  Michael P. Frohling
Prop Designer:  Robert J. Smith
Stage Manager:  Stacey R. Britt