JOAN DARK Arrives At Goodman In International Partnership

Artistic Director Robert Falls announces an unprecedented creative partnership with Austria's "Linz 2009 European Capital of Culture," advancing his focus on international programming for Goodman Theatre. The Goodman and "Linz09"—a year-long festival devoted to projects in all cultural disciplines—will share Joan Dark, created and directed by emerging Bosnian director Aida Karic with Goodman Literary Manager Tanya Palmer. A new adaptation of the story of Joan of Arc involving live music and movement, Joan Dark originates in Austria in a one-week June 17-20 engagement at "Linz09" and makes its U.S. premiere at Goodman Theatre September 11 - October 11, 2009.

"Aida Karic is one of the most extraordinary young women working on the international stage today," said Artistic Director Robert Falls. "She has quickly made a name for herself worldwide through her muscular, unusual approach to classic texts and compelling stage pictures. We are proud to share this dynamic world premiere with the people of Upper Austria at the prestigious Linz09 Capital of Culture, and with our home town here at the Goodman in the fall."

Joan Dark is the result of international director Aida Karic's 15-month residency at the Goodman, during which time she created an adaptation of Friedrich Schiller's Jungfrau von Orleans (The Maid of Orléans), which loosely follows the story of Joan of Arc—a young woman at the center of an endless, bloody war between England and France. Karic's Joan Dark features a cast of 15 American performers, including seven musicians and Gospel singers—several of whom she discovered while in residence at the Goodman and touring Chicago's neighborhoods and churches to create this piece. In the play, Joan is driven by religious fundamentalism and nationalist zeal, and makes a dreadful pact with God to reject her feminine identity and take up the sword to restore France's king at all costs. Overwhelmed by her divine destiny, Joan becomes a ruthless terrorist, murdering her adversaries in cold blood, and making mortal enemies of the very people she sought to liberate. She struggles to fulfill her mission, utterly alone and despised by all, as the world descends into chaos.

Aida Karic was born in the former Yugoslavia and has been living and working in Vienna since 1992. She studied Publicity and Theatre Science at the University of Vienna; while in school, she worked on a documentary short film, was employed in theater and film administration and was involved in war communications, propaganda and media positioning. For Schauspielhaus Vienna, Karic participated and co-authored Jerusalem My Love (2002) and in 2003 conceptualized and directed 1914. In 2007, she conceived and directed the critically acclaimed The Trojan Women: An Asian Story, a co-production with Seoul Art Center (Korea), the world-renowned International Theatre Festival in Vienna, and Montclair State University in New Jersey.

The partnership with Linz09 is Goodman Theatre's next international initiative, following its critically praised "A Global Exploration: Eugene O'Neill in the 21st Century," curated by Robert Falls, featuring more than 100 artists from six theater companies around the world presenting their highly contemporary, innovative interpretations of Eugene O'Neill's dramas. (running through March 6, 2009)

The cultural exchange with Linz09 expands the international programming that Goodman Theatre has established over the years with productions of The Merchant of Venice in London, Paris and Hamburg; Death of a Salesman in London; Galileo Galilei in London and The Iceman Cometh in Dublin. The biennial Latino Theatre Festival has provided an opportunity for audiences to experience outstanding work from Spain, Mexico and Brazil over the past six years. The eight-play Global Exploration of O'Neill includes productions from Brazil, Companhia Triptal's Homens Ao Mar (Sea Plays); and the Netherlands, Toneelgroep Amsterdam's Rouw Siert Electra (Mourning Becomes Electra).

"In a world in which globalization is a reality, it is essential that outstanding work from the US travels abroad and, at the same time, that Americans experience the cultural life of the rest of the world," said Falls.

Over 200 artistic projects and festivals comprise Linz 09, described as follows:

"No Austrian city has changed as dramatically as Linz has in recent years, becoming a modern urban center with a flourishing economy and exceptional quality of life. It is a city where interesting things are happening and the future is taking shape right now. The mission of Linz 2009 European Capital of Culture is to be a part of this process: an initiative implementing sustainable urban development and a driving force for progress in promising directions.

With its lineup of projects, Linz09 offers a highly diversified narrative account of this city, and establishes a high level of artistic quality between culture, politics and the economy. Linz09 develops new connections, perspectives and visions."

More information about Linz09 can be found at http://www.linz09.at/en/index.html.

Photo by Nick Mangafas