POPE JOAN II by Pat Montley

Urged by apparitions of her namesakes Saint Joan and the apocryphal 9th-century Pope Joan I, and armed with an infusion of the Life Force, Sister Joan—faster than a speeding angel, more powerful than a prayer, able to leap clerical hierarchies in a single bound—blackmails her way to becoming pope, so she can fight the never ending battle for truth, justice, gender equality, and the American way by transforming...
Urged by apparitions of her namesakes Saint Joan and the apocryphal 9th-century Pope Joan I, and armed with an infusion of the Life Force, Sister Joan—faster than a speeding angel, more powerful than a prayer, able to leap clerical hierarchies in a single bound—blackmails her way to becoming pope, so she can fight the never ending battle for truth, justice, gender equality, and the American way by transforming the Catholic Church into a liberal democracy and saving the world from overpopulating.
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POPE JOAN II

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Character Information

  • Sister Joan
    40's,
    Female
    An efficient and creative organizer, champion of the poor and oppressed; a reluctant reformer, but once called, committed to action. She does not wear a habit or veil—which is unfortunate since she has no sense of style or concern for appearance. She wears Birkenstocks with socks.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Saint Joan
    19,
    White
    ,
    Any (but probably Female)
    A coach/cheerleader with radical ideas and French charm.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Non-binary
  • Pope Joan I / Joan Shakespeare
    ageless
    ageless, any race; can be trans. A practical (i.e., unscrupulous) 9th-century pre-cursor of Machiavelli with a sense of humor and a Joan-Rivers delivery

    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Sister Katherine
    late 60's,
    Female
    Sister Joan’s aunt; elected leader of America’s Catholic nuns; a hopeful, determined liberal
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Henry Cardinal Gardner
    late 70's,
    Male
    an expert in moral theology, Prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; a persistent conservative

    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Cumberland Theatre
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Rep Stage, Columbia, MD
    ,
    2015
  • Reading
    ,
    Shaw Society of London
    ,
    2014

Awards

Individual Artist Award.
,
Maryland State Arts Council
,
2015
Winner
,
$10,000 RUBYS grant
,
Deutsch Foundation
,
2014
Winner
,
T.F. Evans Award
,
the Shaw Society of London
,
2013