Show Finder

First-rate the production certainly is: Daniel Sullivan is among a small handful of directors whose touch with classics from almost any era is virtually unerring. He has, once again, assembled an excellent cast led by the absolutely radiant Condola Rashad in the title role, as the 15th-century teenager from a small town in the Loire Valley who — well, you probably know highlights of the story: hears voices from God, leads French into victorious battle on behalf of beleaguered Armagnac forces, gets captured, is burned at stake and is later sainted by the Catholic Church, which had initially found her to be a heretic. (Changing her mind is the church’s prerogative.)

Playing a part that is as daunting as it is dazzling, Condola Rashad steps into the starring role in a blaze of glory and claims it as her own. Rashad’s depiction of the wide-eyed, visionary youth of fierce determination, unwavering faith and beguiling innocence — not to mention a beatific smile that radiates to the balcony — makes you a believer, too

The play (which includes scenes of long-winded debate and runs approximately three hours in length) moves slowly and has some dry points. But more often than not, Shaw’s analytical vigor keeps the audience’s attention. It makes you long for the kind of robust political discourse that has gone missing today, when policy is made on impulse and by tweet. Sporting an androgynous look, Rashad has a secure grasp on Shaw’s rhetoric and presents Joan as unfazed (even under questioning and hardship) and resolute (unwilling or unable to make the concessions necessary to save her life).