Mar 11-Apr 4, 2010THE LARK (L'Alouette)
By Jean Anouilh
This is a rare chance to see the classic Jean Anouilh play about Joan of Arc.
Two performances on Easter Sunday! Book now to avoid disappointment.
TEACHERS
To get great group rates and to schedule special talkback sessions for your students, call the Gorilla Theatre administrative offices at 813-354-0550.
THE STORY
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."
(The above notes adapted from the 2009 UCF Theatre production of The Lark)
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 Adult Students (with ID):$15 on Thurs / $20 on Fri, Sat, Sun
Student rush: $10 for adult students, thirty minutes before the show when available
SEE IT FREE
...as a volunteer usher. Ushers need only work one performance per show, and may bring a guest for just $10.00. Call the Gorilla Theatre administrative office at 813-354-0550 to volunteer.
PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES
Thurs Mar 11 2010 7:00 p.m. Free reception after the show!
Fri Mar 12 2010 8:00 p.m.
Sat Mar 13 2010 8:00 p.m.
Sun Mar 14 2010 3:00 p.m.
Thurs Mar 18 2010 7:00 p.m. Free talkback after the show!
Fri Mar 19 2010 8:00 p.m.
Sat Mar 20 2010 8:00 p.m.
Sun Mar 21 2010 3:00 p.m.
Thurs Mar 25 2010 7:00 p.m. Free talkback after the show!
Fri Mar 26 2010 8:00 p.m.
Sat Mar 27 2010 8:00 p.m.
Sun Mar 28 2010 3:00 p.m.
Thurs Apr 1 2010 7:00 p.m. Free talkback after the show!
Fri Apr 2 2010 8:00 p.m.
Sat Apr 3 2010 8:00 p.m.
Sun Apr 4 2010 (Easter Sunday) 3:00 p.m.
Sun Apr 4 2010 (Easter Sunday) 7:00 p.m.
