Three-time Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad (“Billions”, A Doll’s House, Part 2) stars as one of history’s greatest heroines in a major new production of Bernard Shaw‘s epic work directed by Daniel Sullivan (Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes). Set in 15th century France, Saint Joan follows a country girl whose mysterious visions propel her into elite circles. When the nation’s rulers become threatened by her popularity and influence, they unite to bring her down and she finds herself on trial for her life. This timeless and powerful play dramatizes the limits of an individual in a society dominated by overwhelming political and religious forces.

Who was Saint Joan? Subject of many books, movies and plays, The Maid, as she was sometimes called, has been a fascinating historical figure. Defying her gender and station, she was able to rally the French troops and lead them to victory over the British soldiers, claiming to hear the voice of God. After her victory, she was captured, tried and convicted of heresy. Since she would not recant, she was burned at the stake. Years later, her family appealed to the courts and had her conviction overthrown.  She was later canonized. As portrayed by Condola Rashad, Joan is an impetuous teenager. She speaks very quickly, and often passionately, although sometimes it sounded like she was shouting. She playfully and irreverently refers to some of the influential men around her by nicknames: Charles, the ineffectual Dauphin (played by Adam Chanler-Berat), she calls Charlie, and one of the noblemen, Noodle. At other times, like any teen flouting authority, she clearly shows what she thinks of the noblemen and clergy, insulting them all. Rashad is the lone female in a mostly male-dominated cast and she manages to hold everyone’s full attention. In fact, at times, the play drones on with conver …Read more