FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2/24/10
JPEGS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
PRESS CONTACT: Bridget Bean, Gorilla Theatre (813) 765-1486 info@gorillatheatre.com
PUBLIC CONTACT: Reservations (813) 879-2914. Further information and online ticketing at gorillatheatre.com
The Lark
by Jean Anouilh
adapted by Lillian Hellman
March 11-April 4 at the Gorilla Theatre
This spring, the Gorilla Theatre presents audiences with a rare chance to see Jean Anouilh's gripping play about Joan of Arc. Directed by Nancy Cole and with a cast of notable actors — including Magali Naas as Joan, Petrus Antonius as Cauchon, Giles Davies as Warwick, Christopher Rutherford as the Dauphin, and Curtis Belz as the Promoter — The Lark explores the interplay of historical facts and religious mystery against the background of Joan's Inquisition trial. Suitable for adults and teens.
THE STORY (Adapted from the 2009 UCF Theatre production of The Lark)
The Lark is the enactment of the trial, condemnation, and execution of Joan of Arc. It is the story of a simple, pious, 17-year-old girl in 15th century France who somehow managed to become an inspired warrior and the sole commander of the armies of France. Her successful strategies and her bravery, which are well-documented, reversed the overwhelming tide of the war, virtually saving France from becoming a province of England.
This part of the tale is undisputed. It's history. But why did this little piece of French and English history remained in our collective consciousness for over 500 years? Is it because, according to Joan, this little piece of history resulted from instructions given to her by God through visions and conversations with an archangel and two saints? Is it because our modern, humanistic minds become conflicted when they are confronted with a combination of historical facts and religious mystery? Did she hear the voices? Is it possible that God interfered in the lives of men? These are the questions that give us pause, even if we don't dare ask the questions out loud.
In a program note for the French production of The Lark, Anouilh wrote, "The play makes no attempt to explain the mystery of Joan. The persistent effort of so-called modern minds to explain mysteries is, in any case, one of the most naive and foolish activities indulged in by the puny human brain since it became overstocked with shallow political and scientific notions, and can yield nothing in the long run."
Perhaps it is because of these beliefs Anouilh chose to tell the story of The Lark from two viewpoints: the first being the way we look at the tale today as a piece of history, and the second being to imagine what it must have been like to be Joan herself. As for the character of Joan, Anouilh goes on to say, "You cannot explain Joan, anymore than you can explain the tiniest flower growing by the wayside. There's just a little living flower that has always known, ever since it was a microscopic seed, how many petals it would have and how big they would grow, exactly how blue its blue would be and how its delicate scent would be compounded. There is just the phenomenon of Joan, as there is the phenomenon of a daisy, or of the sky, or of a bird. What pretentious creatures men are, if that's not enough for them."
LOCATION
Gorilla Theatre, 4419 N. Hubert Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33614 "Behind Steinbrenner Field"
TICKET PRICES
Full price: $20 on Thursdays /$25 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays
Seniors (age 55+) and students (with ID):$15 on Thurs / $20 on Fri, Sat, Sun
Student rush: $10 thirty minutes before the show when available
Schools and other groups should call the Gorilla Theatre administrative offices at 813-354-0550 for group rates and to schedule special talkback sessions.
PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES
March 11 - April 4
Thursdays at 7pm
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 3pm
April 4 (Easter Sunday) at 3pm and 7pm
RESERVATIONS and further information: www.gorillatheatre.com (813) 879-2914
Limited seating capacity. Reservations recommended.
No late admission under any circumstances.
Living theatre for thinking minds!
Tucked away in the same Tampa location for over 17 years, the Gorilla Theatre boasts an intimate, welcoming environment and a fascinating season of plays.
Isn't it time you discovered the Gorilla Theatre? Call us today for season information and directions to your new favorite venue.
JPEGS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
PRESS CONTACT: Bridget Bean, Gorilla Theatre (813) 765-1486 info@gorillatheatre.com
PUBLIC CONTACT: Reservations (813) 879-2914. Further information and online ticketing at gorillatheatre.com
The Lark
by Jean Anouilh
adapted by Lillian Hellman
March 11-April 4 at the Gorilla Theatre
This spring, the Gorilla Theatre presents audiences with a rare chance to see Jean Anouilh's gripping play about Joan of Arc. Directed by Nancy Cole and with a cast of notable actors — including Magali Naas as Joan, Petrus Antonius as Cauchon, Giles Davies as Warwick, Christopher Rutherford as the Dauphin, and Curtis Belz as the Promoter — The Lark explores the interplay of historical facts and religious mystery against the background of Joan's Inquisition trial. Suitable for adults and teens.
THE STORY (Adapted from the 2009 UCF Theatre production of The Lark)
The Lark is the enactment of the trial, condemnation, and execution of Joan of Arc. It is the story of a simple, pious, 17-year-old girl in 15th century France who somehow managed to become an inspired warrior and the sole commander of the armies of France. Her successful strategies and her bravery, which are well-documented, reversed the overwhelming tide of the war, virtually saving France from becoming a province of England.
This part of the tale is undisputed. It's history. But why did this little piece of French and English history remained in our collective consciousness for over 500 years? Is it because, according to Joan, this little piece of history resulted from instructions given to her by God through visions and conversations with an archangel and two saints? Is it because our modern, humanistic minds become conflicted when they are confronted with a combination of historical facts and religious mystery? Did she hear the voices? Is it possible that God interfered in the lives of men? These are the questions that give us pause, even if we don't dare ask the questions out loud.
In a program note for the French production of The Lark, Anouilh wrote, "The play makes no attempt to explain the mystery of Joan. The persistent effort of so-called modern minds to explain mysteries is, in any case, one of the most naive and foolish activities indulged in by the puny human brain since it became overstocked with shallow political and scientific notions, and can yield nothing in the long run."
Perhaps it is because of these beliefs Anouilh chose to tell the story of The Lark from two viewpoints: the first being the way we look at the tale today as a piece of history, and the second being to imagine what it must have been like to be Joan herself. As for the character of Joan, Anouilh goes on to say, "You cannot explain Joan, anymore than you can explain the tiniest flower growing by the wayside. There's just a little living flower that has always known, ever since it was a microscopic seed, how many petals it would have and how big they would grow, exactly how blue its blue would be and how its delicate scent would be compounded. There is just the phenomenon of Joan, as there is the phenomenon of a daisy, or of the sky, or of a bird. What pretentious creatures men are, if that's not enough for them."
LOCATION
Gorilla Theatre, 4419 N. Hubert Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33614 "Behind Steinbrenner Field"
TICKET PRICES
Full price: $20 on Thursdays /$25 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays
Seniors (age 55+) and students (with ID):$15 on Thurs / $20 on Fri, Sat, Sun
Student rush: $10 thirty minutes before the show when available
Schools and other groups should call the Gorilla Theatre administrative offices at 813-354-0550 for group rates and to schedule special talkback sessions.
PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES
March 11 - April 4
Thursdays at 7pm
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 3pm
April 4 (Easter Sunday) at 3pm and 7pm
RESERVATIONS and further information: www.gorillatheatre.com (813) 879-2914
Limited seating capacity. Reservations recommended.
No late admission under any circumstances.
Living theatre for thinking minds!
Tucked away in the same Tampa location for over 17 years, the Gorilla Theatre boasts an intimate, welcoming environment and a fascinating season of plays.
Isn't it time you discovered the Gorilla Theatre? Call us today for season information and directions to your new favorite venue.
