Draft:Born to Do This: The Joan of Arc Rock Opera

Born to Do This: The Joan of Arc Rock Opera (Musical)

Born to Do This: The Joan of Arc Rock Opera
Music	Melisa Carubia
Book	Zoe Bradford
Premiere	August 2023: The Company Theatre Norwell, MA

Premiering in 2023, Born to Do This: This Joan of Arc Rock Opera is a musical about the life and times of Jeanne d'Arc (famously known as Joan of Arc). With a book by Zoe Bradford, music by Melissa Carubia, and collaborator Michael Hammond, Born to Do this premiered at The Company Theatre in Norwell, Massachusetts in July of 2023.

The plot of the show is adapted from the known life history of Joan of Arc.

A cast album was released on April 29, 2024.

Licensing is currently available directly through the creators on The Company Theatre website.

Synopsis of Company Theatre Production

"The life of a young, ordinary, fifteenth century girl, turned warrior, comes to life as she experiences miracles that strengthen her passion to save her country. When her country needs a leader, what can one girl do?"

"That she was burned at the stake is probably the first, and maybe the only, thing that comes to mind when most people think of Joan of Arc. As a teenager, the 15th-century French peasant girl, Jeanne d’Arc, became a military leader and defender of France, and was ultimately put to death for offenses including wearing men’s clothing. [...] The new musical “Born to Do This: The Joan of Arc Rock Opera” aims to depict not only how Joan of Arc died but also how she lived."

Musical Numbers

Act I

• "Overture"
• "Prologue 1429"
• "Spring in Domremy"
• "One Girl Prophecy"
• "The Lion's Claws of England"
• "The Messenger"
• "Angels All Around, Pt. I"
• "Angels All Around, Pt. II"
• "Chosen"
• "Meeting the Men"
• "Born to Do This"
• "Born to Do This (Reprise)"
• "The King with Two Crowns"
• "Be a Knight"
• "Nobody Parties Like a Bastard"
• "My Armor"
• "Battle of Orléans"

Act II

• "Angels All Around (Reprise)"
• "Coronation of King Charles VII"
• "Where is God's Grace Now?"
• "Miracle Aftermath"
• "Daughters of Joy (Be a Knight Reprise)"
• "Dearest Jeanne"
• "Out of Miracles"
• "Sold for a King's Ransom"
• "Jeanne the Knight"
• "A Bedtime Story for King Henry"
• "Nobody Parties Like a Bastard (Reprise)"
• "The Trial"
• "One Life"
• "Executioner's Lament"
• "Finale (One Life) (Reprise)"

Recording

An original cast album was produced directly through The company Theatre and features live recordings. It was digitally released on April 29, 2024. The album's cover art features the principal actor Liza Giangrande.

Documentary

A short documentary was filmed, followng the creation of the musical, as well as the production of the first show. The documentary titled, Creating Born to Do This: The Joan of Arc Rock Opera is currently available to watch on Youtube. The documentary was filmed and originally aired by Norwell Spotlight TV, a local news outlet in Massachusetts, in the summer of 2024.

The documentary details the inspiration for writing the show, auditions, the rehearsal process, and the ultimate pitching of the final produciton. It also features interviews with writer of the show, and co-founder of The company Theatre, Zoe Bradford, collaborator Michael Hammond, composer Melissa Carubia, music director Robert McDonough, choreographer Sally Forrest, and title actress Liza Giangrande.

Reception

The show was met with positive reactions, mostly from local critics.

Writing for On Boston Stages, Rich Fahey summed up his impression of the musical as "a remarkable theatrical achievement." and describes the story as "a sprawling epic, which marches across France and overseas to England over the course of years and chronicles the life of the saint who was eventually executed  as a heretic, before reclaiming her reputation in a subsequent trial."

In addition, writing for The Sleepless Critic, an anonymous critic states, "The title track is more than catchy. Not only may it inspire humming the hook long after the show is over, but it’s a clever tribute to a saint that was motivated to accomplish her mission from God at all costs. It’s inspirational, fiery, and sung with a rock growl by Liza Giangrande."

The anonymous critic from The Sleepless Critic goes on to say "However, this show has its uneven moments and does not fit squarely as a rock opera. The music is considerable with a weighty storyline and would like to have known some of the characters better."