JOAN OF ARC: INTO THE FIRE (previews)

[cjmclaughlin10]

the new David Bryne musical begins previews at The Public tonight!!  This is one of the shows i am most excited about seeing this spring, but I'm not going for another two weeks.  Early reports are appreciated as always 

[little_sally]

I'm so excited for this but I'm not going til 3/12!

[cjmclaughlin10]

just lost the first preview lottery if anyone has an extra and is feeling generous, PM me

[QueenAlice]

I can't quite figure out what this is going to be; a sort of rock concert about the life of Joan of Arc? Will probably be bloody brilliant or bloody terrible, but it does sound very interesting and   I do love David Byrne , so I'm anxious to see it also!

 

 i've never heard of the actress playing Joan, Jo Lambert, but the clips of her singing on YouTube are wonderful. What a big break this is for her, she must be so excited!

 

Are they only doing a lottery for the performance today, or does the Public generally do some kind of rush at the box office?

[anthony84]

Has anyone tried the standby line for first previews before? How does that work and are the odds slim?

[bekk99]

Just won the lotto and very excited to see tonight! Will try and report back.

[cjmclaughlin10]

also curious to hear about the Today Tix after party...

[willep]

I lost as well, but hope to catch it at some point!

[VintageSnarker]

I was initially excited about this show until they announced casting and it seemed like there were only two female characters. Still, I'm very interested in hearing the first reports.

[GreasedLightning]

VintageSnarker said: "I was initially excited about this show until they announced casting and it seemed like there were only two female characters. Still, I'm very interested in hearing the first reports.

 

"

I assume that there is a reason for that... based on the shows subject matter. 

On a side note: I am disappointed to see the Playbill is in B/W. I thought the artwork was striking and the Public has been throwing small splashes of color into their Playbills lately and I was hoping for the same here. Guess not. 

[BIG BALONEY]

Saw the new musical tonight and was very disappointed in the entire misfire. Very large standby crowd, few if any got in.Music mediocre and story line barely holds interest. I was looking forward to Joan Of Arc and sorry to say in doesn't work. Running time 1:45 , no interval.

[QueenAlice]

 Big – can you give us a little more details about what the concept of the show actually is? Is it a rock concert or a staged "concept album" like Here Lies Love? What is the message of the show i.e. what are they using the legacy of Joan of Arc to convey, or is that part of the problem?

[bekk99]

Thought the show was a real hot mess with a few strong elements, so hopefully they can turn things around in previews. It's all over the place in terms of pacing, style, and tone. Jo has real star presence, but it's not clear she has been given much in the way of guidance. 

I never saw the original presentation of Here Lies Love, but I would say this is mostly staged with a few "rock concert" moments randomly thrown in. Message was a bit unclear to me, unless it is simply the refrain "Have faith, be strong," which is repeated about 100 times.

As a fan of hers, about 90 minutes into the play, I said to myself, "Where the f*** is Mare Winningham?" and then she finally appeared. I won't spoil anything, but I ended up quite disappointed with how she was briefly used.

Actually have a previously purchased ticket for later in the run, so I'm hoping to hear that they make some substantial changes in the meantime.

[Petralicious]

Has this any relation to the Joan of Arc that Ingrid Bergman played on stage in 1940?

[haterobics]

Petralicious said: "Has this any relation to the Joan of Arc that Ingrid Bergman played on stage in 1940?"

Err, you do realize Joan of Arc is an actual historic figure?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc

[Petralicious]

Yes hate, and  I am well aware. She is a French hero and a Saint.as well. Not sure if you know but Ingrid Bergman played Joan of Arc back in the forties on Broadway.

I was asking if the show is related or inspired  to that one at all or a brand new production

[BakerWilliams]

It's no more inspired by that production (or the film version of it) as it is Bresson's The Trial of Joan of Arc, Dreyer's The Passion of Joan of Arc, Shaw's Saint Joan, or Henry VI Part 1. Joan is an important character in the theatre and film world, and I am totally mystified why you would think they are related.

Also, this show is very, very bad.

[neonlightsxo]

haterobics said: "Petralicious said: "Has this any relation to the Joan of Arc that Ingrid Bergman played on stage in 1940?"

Err, you do realize Joan of Arc is an actual historic figure?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc"

I was wondering if they realized that too.

BakerWilliams, great to hear! So glad I paid money for it. Oh well. It least it was an expensive member ticket and not an exorbitant public price ticket.

 

 

[haterobics]

BakerWilliams said: "Also, this show is very, very bad."

Salvageable? Or beyond hope?

I have tickets for more than a month out, in PDF form, so I don't have to decide anything for a while yet... heh

[Chefcorvette]

Petra is on point. Try not to judge this as a conventional musical  it is a hybrid rock and intimate musical~~informative and touching/emotional, at times.  Very worthwhile. Tremendously talented Cast. Only two women because of the story line. Joan +1. previous comment about Mare W appearing towards the end is because that's what happened 24 years later. 

 

[Petralicious]

Chefcorvette said: "Petra is on point. Try not to judge this as a conventional musical  it is a hybrid rock and intimate musical~~informative and touching/emotional, at times.  Very worthwhile. Tremendously talented Cast. Only two women because of the story line. Joan +1. previous comment about Mare W appearing towards the end is because that's what happened 24 years later. 

 

 

"Thank you Chef.

It sounds very interesting to me, I hope to see it.

 

[Boston Friend]

I also agree with Chef.  I saw tonight.

For early previews, the show is not perfect but there are some great moments and fun staging. A few strange moments related to virginity.  

Crowd was engaged. Jo was very warmly received at the end. 

[StageDoor3]

"Joan of Arc" just extended till April 30.  I'm taking a trip to NY at that time.  Living in LA, I missed "Here Lies Love" at the Public, and the run of "Joan" was virtually sold out.  From what the boards say the show sounds "iffy".  But I bought a ticket and I'll take a chance.

[Green_Flash]

So Glad for the extension.  April is the only time I can see it!

[ADW111]

What do you mean by "A few strange moments related to virginity"?   How does the play present Joan of Arc herself?   I realize the main character is a rock star, not Joan, but nonetheless the theme is based on her life.