YOU THINK YOUR DAUGHTER WAS A HANDFUL?

Joan of Arc is remembered as a hero and a martyr for her active role in France’s defense from British invasion in the 15th century. How much the average theatergoer knows of her will vary, but likely, across the board, few of us have ever given thought to what her family went through — from her teenage visions of St. Catherine to her infamous burning at the stake for trumped up charges of heresy. The notion for such a family-perspective story led playwright Jane Anderson to research and then write Mother of the Maid, a fascinating and intimate look at Joan (Mikaela Rae Macias) and her effect on those around her, especially her mother, Isabelle (Jennifer Eve Thorn).

Desireé Clark‘s direction is beautifully paced as we follow Isabelle’s arc (pun intended) as she comes to terms with what is happening. Remember that only Joan is seeing these visions so, to everyone around her, she is fanciful at best, losing her mind at worst. From her Dad (Dave Rivas) to her brother (Zack King) to her local priest (Mark C. Petrich) to the unseen King Charles, everyone has a different take on Joan’s confidence that the visions are real and that she is destined to lead French armies against English forces.

Though the cast is strong throughout, it is mostly Isabelle’s story. Ms. Thorn is magnificent in her turmoil, as she is launched from a modest homemaker for a shepherding family to the never-sought role of mother of an icon who never fully lives up to everyone’s expectations, yet whose life is in jeopardy. In much of the play, Ms. Macias strikes a bit too one-note as Joan for us to fully appreciate her skills (though, perhaps understandably so, given the script) but when she lets loose in her final scene, the contrast makes for a powerful and gripping performance.

Also notable is Sarah Alida LeClair as Nicole, a lady of the court from whom Isabelle seeks aid. With her Rita Rudner-like delivery, she transforms many a line that Anderson probably didn’t intend to be funny into laugh aloud moments, all without undermining the integrity of the scene. Ironically, that same quality of tone causes her final scene, in contrast, to be all the more tender when Joan’s circumstances change.

Ms. Thorn serves in two roles: as Isabelle herself and as narrator of the show (explaining scenes for us that would be difficult and time-consuming to portray). It helps knowing this going in, for it is potentially confusing at first when, not knowing this, her narration refers to Isabelle in the third person.

Yi-Chien Lee is to be commended for the beauty, simplicity, and versatility of her scenic design, with pieces that serve well for multiple locations.

Overall, Mother of the Maid is a moving piece that should fill seats for Moxie with well-earned word of mouth.

photos by Desireé Clarke

Mother of the Maid
Moxie Theatre 6663 El Cajon Blvd. Suite N, in San Diego
Thurs at 7:30; Fri & Sat at 8; Sun at 2
ends on May 22, 2022
for tickets, call 858-598-7620 or visit Moxie