Pope Joan

Principal Characters, Chicago Production


JOAN, also known as JOHN ANGLICUS, later POPE JOHN VIII.

Female. Mid-20s. Soprano capable of belt. SHE need not be overtly masculine physically (boyish is more appropriate). SHE should, however, have an authoritative, charismatic aura that could be perceived as a masculine energy. SHE must combine the qualities of a mystic, a sensualist, and a warrior.

LOUIS II, Holy Roman Emperor

Late 20s. Lyric baritone. HE is a charming, dissolute patrician. HE is witty, crude, sexual, and dangerous.

CARDINAL BISHOP NICHOLAS, later, POPE NICHOLAS I.

Early 40s. Legit baritone. HE is a devout, conservative fanatic, but appears kindly and benevolent.

LUCIUS

Mid-teens. "Angelic" tenor. A deacon in the Lateran archives. HE has spent HIS entire life within the confines of the Papal household. HE is innocent, naive, and a budding scholar.

MARTINE

Late 30s. Alto. Servant to LOUIS. SHE has been HIS mother figure. SHE is a French peasant. Earthy, opinionated, and lonely.

ANASTASIUS BIBLIOTHECARIUS

Late 40s. Tenor. Influential prelate of the early Church. HE controls the Lateran archives, and is Pope for a short time. Seemingly hostile to JOAN, HE is sincerely religious.

THE HOLY GHOST

Ageless, but appears as a beautiful man. HE functions as a vision and inner voice to JOAN.

YOUNG JOAN

Approximately 12 years old.

CARDINALS, SOLDIERS, MONKS, PEASANTS, and CARNIVAL PERFORMERS.



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