Detroit Mercy Theatre Company’s ‘Poor Clare’ Finds the Humor in Religion
I’m not exactly what you would call religious. Spiritual? Sure, that might be the better descriptor, as I definitely believe that there are some things in the universe that can’t be explained, but ultimately, I didn’t grow up in any form of organized religion. I know what some of you might be asking yourselves: why are these pieces of information so important? And don’t worry, dear readers, I understand the question. All that I stated before is just to drive home the point that I was completely unfamiliar with the story of St. Clare of Assisi and the impact she had on the world. However, after seeing Detroit Mercy Theatre Company’s production of Poor Clare, it is apparent how important and timely the story of this incredible woman is to the world we live in today.
Not only is St. Clare’s story reflective of the mission that so many of us still hold (or should continue to push), which is to do good to our fellow men. However, what Poor Clare does is infuse this incredible story with something that is equally important: humor. Detroit Mercy Theatre Company, under the direction of Kez Settle, has found the sugar within the story, bringing laughter that ultimately helps digest it further. I walked in not knowing what to expect and left not only feeling lighter but also with a renewed sense of purpose.
[Warning: Spoilers from Detroit Mercy Theatre Company’s Poor Clare are below!]
A silver spoon and a golden heart
There’s no denying that Clare (Gracie Sheets) lived a gilded life in her youth. Growing up with servants to braid her hair, more dresses than she can ever wear, and enough food to feed a village (which instead goes to waste), she’s clearly living a rather sheltered life. Although she’s not completely unaware, as she gains insight into the larger world thanks to bits of gossip from her handmaids, Peppa (Li Udell) and Alma (Chisomaga Nwoke). It’s these little glimpses of life outside her home that serve as the first seeds of dissent that are sown in her mind.
It’s the actions of one Francis (Raúl Lopez) that Clare hears through the grapevine that really have the greatest impact on the young girl. A nobleman’s son who has given up all his worldly possessions to live a life in the service of God. At first, Clare seems confused by his actions, because who would want to give up a life of luxury for dull robes and poverty? However, as the story of Poor Clare progresses, you see Clare have a change of heart.
It doesn’t happen all at once, and honestly, some of the stages are awkward, but there is growth to Clare, especially as she’s confronted with her reality. With an arranged marriage on the horizon and a mother (Leanne Young) and sister, Beatrice (Riley McDevitt), who don’t seem to understand her strong desire to give up her wealth, Clare is on a one-woman mission to save the world. Can she start a new life outside the one she knows, or is Clare destined to become a victim of her own plan?
Humanity remains at the core of Poor Clare
It’s not every day that you find a piece of historical fiction that manages to blend comedy so well into it, which speaks to the magic that playwright Chiara Atik has struck. The story of Clare of Assisi could easily have been a heavy piece of theatre, one that aims to inspire, although it leaves the audience feeling weighed down. But instead, Atik has found a natural way to modernize the show and add humor without alienating the show’s true message.
Think 90’s sitcom meets a true historical story, which I know seems odd to say, but in truth, it works for this show. It was like watching a Clueless version of Romeo and Juliet, with costumes and sets that reflected yesteryear, while the language and humor were familiar from my childhood. It made Clare’s story more digestible for people of all ages and stages, which I greatly appreciated.
I didn’t feel like I was on the outside looking in because I was unfamiliar with her story; instead, I was welcomed into the jokes, which is the right call for a show like this. When a topic is incredibly niche, you want to make it appeal to as many people as possible. Part of that comes down to the delivery of the humor, which means that you need a strong cast to make this show such a success.
Gracie Sheets makes Poor Clare what it is, embodying this saint with such hilarity and humility. Clare feels like any other person, which makes the character that much more approachable. Like, if Clare can make this journey towards elevated enlightenment, then perhaps there’s hope for the rest of us. Sheets has an incredible weight on her shoulders to convey all these sentiments and more, which she does spectacularly. She’ll make you laugh, and perhaps shed a tear or two, and ultimately make Poor Clare a joy to watch.
Raúl Lopez also brings a healthy dose of humanity to the show with her portrayal of Francis. At first, he appears to be a potential love interest for Clare, but really, he’s a significant motivator in her journey towards sainthood. Lopez is enchanting to watch throughout both acts, stealing so many scenes that he’s in. He’s brought so much life to Francis, making him feel unbelievably dimensional, when this character could easily fall flat.
Final thoughts on this Detroit Mercy Theatre Company production
There’s so much to appreciate about this show that I could easily go on for many thousands more words. The entire cast has given everything to make this show something special, with each member recognizing what makes this story so important. Poor Clare is the definition of a spoonful of sugar. This is a tough story, but one that needs to be understood and appreciated for several reasons. However, by adding some infectious humor, the story’s importance is more easily remembered.
Detroit Mercy Theatre Company continues to bring such love to quality productions, cementing its place as one of the leaders of theatre in the area. If this show is any indication of what’s to come, audiences have so much to look forward to with their final show of the season.
Stay tuned for more information on DMTC’s upcoming production on their website! Did you attend this production of Poor Clare? Let us know your thoughts on social media @bsb.insider!
Exclusive Interview: Kez Settle of Detroit Mercy Theatre Company’s Poor Clare
