ECU to premiere ‘Wild Heart,’ a modern take on Joan of Arc’s story
Behind the Scenes: Promotional Artwork
ECU Creative Services designer Matt Wyrick created the promotional artwork for “Wild Heart.” His art has been adopted for use nationwide.
When people hear the name Joan of Arc, they often think of her tragic end. But Chelsea Marcantel’s new musical, “Wild Heart,” brings Joan’s often-overlooked story to life in its world premiere at East Carolina University.
“Wild Heart” tells the story of Jehanne, better known to the world as Joan of Arc. The musical follows Jehanne, a poor and powerless teenager in France, who begins to see visions and hear voices from St. Catherine and St. Margaret. The saints tell Jehanne it is her destiny to leave home, take part in the Hundred Years’ War, save her people and change the world.
While the musical is set in the 15th century, the production features modern songs that audiences will recognize, including “Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken” by P!nk, “Hero” by Weezer and “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten.
Marcantel is a Los Angeles-based writer, director and collaborator who has staged and produced 14 full-length plays. “Wild Heart” is her first musical. Working alongside Marcantel is director Trent Blanton, an associate professor at ECU.
Blanton shared that the production has been in the works for two years, from securing production rights to holding readings, beginning rehearsals and preparing for opening night.
“Marcantel is so fantastically generous on top of being a ridiculously talented writer. And she’s a big advocate for students and a big fan of training this group of actors. ‘Wild Heart’ is such a lovely collaboration, and it really looks like a Broadway show,” he said.
Blanton discussed how School of Theatre and Dance students are bringing their characters to life — especially with no previous performances to reference.
“They know how to sing, they know how to dance and how to act, but it’s demanding different skills in certain ways. Those are the skills that are really, really needed. It’s making them stretch muscles they didn’t know they had, but they’ve been really successful,” Blanton said.
The production features popular songs by P!nk, Kelly Clarkson, Weezer, Rachel Platten, Daya, and more.
One example is Casey Wild, an ECU junior, who will be the first to ever take on the role of Joan in “Wild Heart.”
“It’s been very challenging stepping into the role of Joan and having such big shoes to fill. She is an amazing revolutionary, so bringing that to life on stage has been a definite challenge, but a very rewarding one,” Wild said.
As for Wild’s favorite aspect of the show? “My favorite part of working on ‘Wild Heart’ has been getting to work with such an amazing script and score. I’ve never had the opportunity to sing pop songs in a musical, and getting to bring the songs into this different universe has been so much fun,” she said.
Blanton hopes the audience leaves with an appreciation for ECU’s theatre program.
“I hope the audience gets to see how wonderful the productions are and how rare it is to have this kind of access to something like this in our community I hope they take from it an appreciation of something that’s never really been seen before and take ownership and excitement in that,” he said.
He also hopes audiences walk away with an inspiring message.
“Audiences know how the play ends, right? They know what happens to her in real life, but we bring out the humanity in her. And I hope that they’re able to be inspired by that,” he said.
As for the finale, Blanton emphasized that audiences will be transfixed by Marcantel’s vision.
“You know how it ends, but it’s not what you think. It’s shocking, but there is no screaming or burning. No, it’s beautiful. This particular story is not about the burning. It’s about the transfiguration. It’s about the other side. Everybody burns — everybody dies — but not everybody lives the same way. It’s a horrible ending for Joan, but she’s heroic and contemporary. And it makes you think, ‘Oh, that’s a girl that lives down the street. That could be anyone. That could be any girl who decides to speak out,’” he said.
“Wild Heart” will be performed in the McGinnis Theatre at 7:30 p.m. nightly beginning Friday with shows through Monday night. Ticket information is available on the ECU Arts website.