The Gainesville Shaw Society
Presents
“Saint Joan” by George Bernard Shaw
Directed by Krsnaa Fitch
Performances will be April 11th-20th at the
Acrosstown Repertory Theater
619 South Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601
Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 2pm.
Tickets are $10.00 cash at the door
Donate to our show, and help make it beautiful!
Cast Members: Jvalamukhi Kopecka, Mike McShane, Shamrock McShane, Scot Davis, Chuck Lipsig, Michael Garvin, Loic Robertson, Ryan Mills, David Murr, Mahabuddhi Ferry, J.R. Maxwell, Jorge DeJesus, Kaliyaphani Russell, Laura Gross, Scott Gross, Jimi Brown, Al Sandoval & Lenard Cohen
Stage Managers: Norma Berger & Laura Gross
Costume Design: Jay Beaudeur, Laura Gross & Michael Garvin
Lighting and Set Design: Charles Ely & Mike McShane
Joan “The Maid” appears to us in her youthful vigor, full of faith in God, determination, and a naïve purity that is mesmerizing. She inspires courage in the soldiers, and dumfounds the nobles. Her unwavering conviction even inspires the cowardly Dauphin to aspire to be King. But the power of this young woman made men of power very uncomfortable, and her earthly fate rested in their hands.
Shaw’s story does not end where the physical Joan ended however. The Executioner confesses, “I could not kill The Maid. She is up and alive everywhere.” We are granted the cathartic opportunity of hearing from her and her judges after the fact, and their conversation brings to light the harsh truths of human limitations. If such a dynamic saintly person offered to return to us, would we be ready to receive her?
A word from the Director:
“The story of “Saint Joan” or Joan of Arc strikes a chord with people. This is what I have learned since beginning to direct this play. To some, she is a ray of divine light, full of faith, conviction, bravery and tragedy. To others she represents a historical dynamo, making waves in social strata and political fields. Or to still others, she is a romantic figure, a mysterious young soul who captures imagination and won’t let go.
To me, Saint Joan embodies inspiration. She inspires you, no matter what you believe, or what your goals might be. This play asks the question, “What is a miracle?” Hearing the true story of a teenage girl leading an army to victory through faith and wit, I feel I know what a miracle is; making the impossible possible.
Considering the time we live in, I am proud to present this story to our audience. I know for myself, living in the world of 2014 can be very confusing and disheartening. There is so much wrong with the world. There are so many injustices, and so few solutions. This makes me hopeless at times, and I suspect other people feel the same way as I do.
Saint Joan gives me hope. Even though her physical end was tragic, her story is one of success to me. She overcame the hurdles that most people struggle with for a lifetime; fear, self-doubt, and mediocrity. Imagine that you were given a mission by God. Would you have the bravery to follow it? Would you doubt yourself along the way? Would you risk your life for your belief?
Sometimes, when I watch the news, I say “It’s horrible, but what can I do?” thinking myself unworthy of creating change for good in this world. If a girl in a village in the Eastern part of a French speaking region accepted that rationalization, European history would be quite different.
Although I don’t have angels whispering instructions to me, I feel that my life has a purpose, a given mission. I hope that Saint Joan can bless me with a fraction of her spirit, so that I can conquer my fears and realize that mission. Perhaps by telling her story, some of her inspiring pluck will find a home in me. And perhaps by witnessing her story you will find that the hope of a miracle will arise in you; that the impossible will suddenly feel a little more possible.” –Krsnaa Fitch
