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Shaw’s Saint Joan Opens at CCCT April 17
El Cerrito, March 27, 2009--“We want a few mad people now. See where the sane ones have landed us!” This quote comes from Saint Joan, George Bernard Shaw's masterpiece, which opens Friday, April 17, at Contra Costa Civic Theatre. Shaw's version of the story of Joan of Arc mixes comedy, history, and his uniquely pointed commentary on religion, society, and politics. It’s no coincidence that Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature shortly after its publication "for his work which is marked by both idealism and humanity, its stimulating satire often being infused with a singular poetic beauty." The play is as apt an allegory today as it was when it was written over 80 years ago.
Directed by David Bogdonoff, CCCT’s production features Artistic Director Kate Culbertson in the title role. Other cast members include Joe Fitzgerald (Robert de Baudricourt/The Inquisitor), Misha Madison, (Charles, the Dauphin), Bruce Moody (The Archbishop), Greg Milholland (de Poulengey/Gilles de Rais), Ken Ray (la Tremouille/Executioner), Kyle Nash (Dunois), Tom Flynn (Peter Cauchon), Tom Reilly (Earl of Warwick), Phil Reed (John de Stogumber), Alex Shafer (La Hire/Gentleman), Chris Harper (Martin Ladvenu), Jacob Basri (The Steward/Canon de Courcelles), Wayne Johnson (d’Estivet/English Soldier), , Rebecca Lieber (Page), llana Goldberg (Page), and Aiden Ashburn-Higgs (Page).
Kyle Nash is the Assistant Director, Greg Milholland is production manager, and Maureen Ray and Sierra Liebman are producers. Set design is by Patrick Toebe, lighting design by Adam Fry, sound design by Travis Rexcoat, costume design by Tamara Arzumanova, and properties by Mary Peyton Peppo. Original musical composition is by Donald Tieck. Audience members are invited to participate in a conversation with the director, cast, and crew after matinees on April 19 and 24 and May 3.
Saint Joan plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through May 10. Tickets are $18, $11 for ages 16 and under, and are available online at www.ccct.org, or by phone at 510-5249132. Special half-price tickets are available for performances April 17, 18, and 24 only (must be purchased on the website). Student Rush tickets are available for $11, 10 minutes before a performance, based on availability and require valid student id. Student Rush tickets cannot be purchased in advance.
Contra Costa Civic Theatre is located at 951 Pomona Avenue (at Moeser) in El Cerrito, with free parking in an adjacent lot.
Click the photograph to download a full resolution version.
Kate Culbertson as Joan of Arc
(L to R) Bruce Moody, Tom Flynn, Kate Culbertson, Joe Fitzgerald and Greg Milholland
Kate Culbertson in Saint Joan
CCCT’s Louis Flynn—Pillar of East Bay’s Community Theatre Scene