www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 31 ON STAGE A small theater-in-the-round, the Circle Theatre below the renovated Golden Bough Playhouse is Pacific Repertory Theatre’s space for experimental plays and original material—fitting, as it is located on the site of the Arts & Crafts Clubhouse, which opened in 1907 as the first wave of bohemians settled in Carmel. It reopens with 1923’s Saint Joan by Irish modernist playwright George Bernard Shaw, directed by Kenneth Kelleher. With minimal stage setting, an emphasis on song and only six members of the cast, the play has not lost any of its power. Saint Joan sought commentary on early 20th century Western societies through the 15th century tale of Joan of Arc, where history, religious experience and legend meet. Through this, the politics of war and the general abuse of ideals within political and military institutions—even a necessary demoralization of a common soldier— is revealed. It was also Shaw’s chance to condemn the English, choosing France to say what he thinks about an English army fighting in a foreign land. Seaside actor River Navaille is a perfect pick for the role of Saint Joan, the maid who was a soldier, humble but charismatic. Navaille, a nonbinary performer, is accompanied by five male actors, each playing multiple characters—Michael Ray Wisely (French military commander LaHire, squire Baudricourt, English nobleman Warwick and the executioner); Brian Herndon (Steward, Charles, De Stougumber); Howard Burnham (priest, archbishop of Rheims, inquisitor and soldier); Matt Kropschot (Poulegney, DeRais, Dunois, Ladvenu); and James Brady (Tremouille, Cauchon). This casting solution fits, since in many ways they play the same man, struggling for power, political or even physical survival, who will—in so many ways and through so many lines of reasoning—betray and send to her death a village girl who is not even 20 years old. As mentioned above, music and songs play a special role in Kelleher’s Saint Joan, from Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” to “Non, je ne regrette rien” by Edith Piaf sung by Navaille, both delivering by a striking finale. The production proves that PacRep’s Circle Theatre is again aiming for and delivering demanding material. Saint Joan plays 7:30pm Thursdays-Saturdays; 2pm Sundays until Sept. 21. The Golden Bough Playhouse’s Circle Theatre, entrance from Casanova Street between 8th and 9th, Carmel. $43; $33/senior; $23/teacher, military; $16/students ages 13 and up. 622-0100, pacrep.org. STEPHEN MOORER Round, About With Saint Joan, PacRep circles back to the modern canon with a potent message. By Agata Popęda Titular Saint Joan (River Navaille, left) and French King Charles VII (Brian Herndon). Joan of Arc was the one who inspired the future king and helped him to get crowned. www.folktalewinery.com Get your tickets to both events at Pour & Tell Curated by NPR favorite Don Reed and bestselling comedian David Nihill, “Pour & Tell” showcases rotating master storytellers from The Moth, Snap Judgment, HBO, Late Night, Off-Broadway, and more. Candlelit Concert TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 25 Experience The Beatles’ greatest hits reimagined by the Monterey String Quartet in a candlelit, under-the-stars performance. S E R I E S STORYTELLING WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17
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