February Brings Two National Theatre of London in HD Performances; SAINT JOAN on 2/16 and AMADEUS on 2/19

The Ridgefield Playhouse and Craig's Fine Jewelry Live in HD Series brings a LIVE in HD transmission of National Theatre of London's Saint Joan on Thursday, February 16 at 2 p.M. Starring Gemma Arterton is Joan of Arc. Bernard Shaw's classic play follows the life and trial of a young country girl who declares a bloody mission to drive the English from France. As one of the first Protestants and nationalists, she threatens the very fabric of the feudal society and the Catholic Church across Europe.

The story of Joan, a simple young peasant girl from Domremy, leading the French army to victory against the English at Orleans during the Hundred Years War, and then later being burnt as a witch, is well known. But Shaw explores the intricacies behind the historical events with irreverent and perceptive humor, bringing alive the conflict of interests and personalities. And with such an emotionally intense central performance from Anne-Marie Duff, the work also takes on a tragic dimension. Josie Rourke (Coriolanus, Les Liaisons Dangereuses) directs Gemma Arterton (Gemma Bovery, Nell Gwynn, Made in Dagenham) as Joan of Arc in this electrifying production.

Music. Power. Jealousy. Lucian Msamati (Luther, Game of Thrones, NT Live: The Comedy of Errors) plays Salieri in Peter Shaffer's iconic play Amadeus - an encore broadcast from the National Theatre of London on Sunday, February 19 at 6 p.m. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a rowdy young prodigy, arrives in Vienna, the music capital of the world - and he's determined to make a splash. Awestruck by his genius, court composer Antonio Salieri has the power to promote his talent or destroy his name. Seized by obsessive jealousy he begins a war with Mozart, with music, and ultimately, with God. After winning multiple Olivier and Tony Awards when it had its premiere at the National Theatre in 1979, Amadeus was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film.

For tickets ($25, $20 Members/Seniors, $15 Students - tickets are free for children 18 and under) call or visit the box office, 203-438-5795 or go online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse, located at 80 East Ridge Road in Ridgefield, is a not for profit 501 (c)(3) whose mission is to present a variety of performing arts to the community and the surrounding area that they can enjoy and experience at a varied price point.