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Show BYU production tackles Joan of Arc story perform “Over the River and Through the Woods,” on Friday through March 27. * To grandmother's house we go Mark Wilcox DAILY HERALD ThePG Playerswill present or the last several years, play- wright Melissa Leilani Larson has immersed herself in Joan of Arc's world by buying books about her, reading the proceedings of her 15th-century court trial and generally taxing herlocal library's resources on the topic. Her accumulated knowledgewill find its embodiment in BYU's production of “Angels Unaware:A Story of Joan of Are,” a script Larson saidis the result of countless quarantined hoursin her “hermit room.” “I'm kindof you a purist when Ifyougo it comes to his- “Over the River and Through the Woods,” a comedy by Joe DiPietro, beginning Fridayin Pleasant Grove. The playtells the story of how oneItalian-American man’s beloved,albeit annoying, grandparents schemeto keep him aroundinstead of letting him move away when he's offered his dream job. Nick’s grandparents do their best to keep him from moving, including bringingto dinner the lovely — and single — Caitlin O'Hareas bait. Performances of“Over the River” will run Fridays, Saturdays and Mondaysthrough torical things,” Angels Unaware ae When: Tuesdays through Saturdays, through March 25 Showtime:7:30 p.m. Where: Margetts Theatre, inthe Harris Fine Arts March27, beginningat7:30 p.m., at the Keith Christeson Little Theater, whichis on the first floor of the Pleasant Grove City Library, 30 E. CenterSt. produce a dra- Center, BYU campus matic work.. Tickets: $12, or $9 with Tickets are available at the doorand are $7 for adults, $6 for students and seniors and $25 for families. (7:30) and a 2 p.m. mati- ‘The Magic Flute’ Info: 422-4322, www.performances.byu.edu terpieces, “The Magic Flute,” For those student ID. Tickets for Slt ae tonight's dress rehearsal DOW5 Arc claimed OF visits from three saints: Catherine, Margaret and ee on March 18 are $5. One of Mozart'sfinal mas- will be presented by the Utah Opera — tribute in honor of the archangel Michael. Herangelic visitors directed her to wear men’s armoras she led the French armyin the Hundred Years’ War. Though MARK A. PHILBRICK/BYU Catherine (Amanda Schiitz) comforts the imprisoned Joan(Hollie Beard) in BYU’s production of “Angels Unaware: A Story of Joan of Arc.” initially honored for her Joan's situation got ugly later on. “I believe Joan hadto be inspired to do whatshe did,” Larson said. “She did some pretty amazing things, and I think God inspired her in a way she would understand.” To a Catholic-dominated 15th-century European,Larsonsaid saintly sojourns wereunderstandable. “T don't think a random 17-year-old in the time of heavy cavalry could havesaid, ‘Hey, I think I’m going to lead the French army,’” Larsonsaid. Even with heavenly visitations, Larson said Joan hadto have something more to be remembered 500 yearslater. “I think faith is central, key and very important,” Larsonsaid, “and that was three very redundant waysofsaying the samething.” Despite Joan's participation in the Hundred Years’ War, dramaturge Shelley Graham said “Angels Unaware” doesn’t the 250th anniversary of the composer'sbirth. Setin ancient Egypt, “The MagicFlute” presents a powerful struggle between forces ofrationality andirrationality, or between good andevil, as it does on the heavenly house calls. “It’s the story of friendship between placed Renville, helps ready the script, does historical research to share with actors, stage and costume designers and Taminoeventually conquer ad- these saints and Joan,” Graham said. finds waysto illuminate the audience in versity and becomeenlightened The play also teaches the cyclical nature in the divine direction given to Joan. While alive, St. Catherine, who drawsclosest to Joan, was similarly guided by St. Marga- everything from the playbill to the lobby. “I do feel that she has a presence inas- by Masonic ideals. The operais a classic coming- muchas her workis carrying on,” Gra- of-agetale andessentially a sto- dwell on the military campaigns as much ret. “It’s by an LDS playwright,” Graham said, “but it treats the saints by their Catholic definition. There are very many trueprinciples that will hearken as true whether you are Catholic or LDS,” Even with the religious backdrop of “Angels Unaware,” the cast and crew may be unawareof their own angel. On her way home from Thanksgiving break last year, Katie Renville, the student dramaturgefor “Angels Unaware,” died in a traffic accident. A dramaturge, said Graham, who re- as younglovers Pamina and ham said, thoughshe said it may be bit trite and easy to say that Renville is the ry of romance, combined with a sermon about the spiritual need production's angel. for humanity to be elevated to After working closely with Renville as her faculty mentor, Graham said she has tried to maintain Renville’s goals and attitudes for “Angels Unaware” without makingit her own work. Though the drama surrounding Joan of Arcwill often get heavy, Larson said “Angels Unaware” should be worthseeing anyway. “It'll be as muchfun as it can be to burn Joan of Arcat the stake every night for three weeks,” Larsonsaid. wisdom and enlightenment. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and March 17, with a2 p.m. matinee March 19, at the Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 Southin Salt LakeCity. Tickets are $10-$70 and can be purchased by calling (888) 451-2787 orvisiting www.utah- symphonyopera.org. — Ashley Banks o e 9002 ’6 Yue‘Aepsuny. ‘ples2HAlea theendve sult is pretty accurate despite some conpeaitte to DeShawn Smith The Pleasant Grove Players will ee_eeeeeeeeenesenanesnsenaenebbenteeeeseemee Angels in the battlefield |