St. Joan

St. Joan

Manhattan Theatre Club

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

April 21, 2018

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Condola Rashad is starring in George Bernard Shaw’s St. Joan at Manhattan Theatre Club.  Ms. Rashad lights up the stage and reveals the vulnerable levels of this iconic character.  Her scenes passionately inspire others to take action and are then followed by truthful moments of emotional depth.  Scenic design by Scott Pask minimally creates a gothic atmosphere that effectively depicts 15^th century England and France.  Director Daniel Sullivan finds the rhythmic humor in Shaw’s writing and allows it to surface when it is most needed and appreciated.

Adam Chandler-Berat & Condola Rashad
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

The year is 1429 and France has been at war with England for 90 years.  The Dauphin (played by Adam Chandler-Berat) has not been able to be crowned King of France due to the surrender and slaughter of French troops by England’s army.  A peasant girl, Joan (played by Condola Rashad), presents herself to the Dauphin as the messenger of God with the power and the ability to take back the French territory.  Joan wins over the Dauphin, the Archbishop (played by John Glover), and Dunois (played by Daniel Sunjata), who assists her in attacking the English army.  They are victorious and the Dauphin is subsequently crowned King Charles VII.  England captures Joan as she tries to win back Paris.  The Church finds her guilty of heresy.  Almost five hundred years later, she is canonized a saint by the same Church that burned her as a heretic.

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

There are strong performances by John Glover, Adam Chandler-Berat, Daniel Sunjata, and a full cast of commanding Broadway actors.  The scenes between the royal courts of England, France, and the Church are full of conflict as they debate Joan’s voices, actions, and victories.  They need to categorize her as a traitor, soldier, witch, or heretic in order to justify her capture and execution.  These scenes clearly define the risk involved in her taking action and propel the plot forward by revealing the political dangers, yet through them I found myself waiting for Condola Rashad’s next entrance.  Naturally, the actor cast in the role of Joan needs to carry the show, and Ms. Rashad is truly captivating.  She delivers a majestic and powerful performance.  

Condola Rashad as St. Joan
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

The final scene of George Bernard Shaw’s play takes place twenty-five years after Joan’s death when she is acquitted of her conviction of heresy in a posthumous retrial.  In this scene the characters who either followed or doubted Joan comment on the effect her presence had on their lives.  This is Mr. Shaw’s finest scene of the play.  It offers a chance for the audience to reflect on the historic and religious accounts in his writing.  Because of this scene the audience leaves with a more personal and impactful understanding of the significant facts and spiritual beliefs.

St. Joan is playing at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre through June 10.  Condola Rashad’s performance is not to be missed.

Domenick Danza