Saint Joan (Broadway)

See it if you like historical, philosophical dramedies. Interesting ideas abound, sometimes ad nauseum. Sullivan's direction disappoints, w uneven...

Don't see it if acting (Rashad was in diff play stylistically) & silly bits (like Page's endless drying). Play sh be trimmed. Scenes sag. No costume concept

Also Set eventually bores. Interesting lighting only in Act II. SO many male actors (about 16) and one female. I found Rashad's constant declarative, aggressive reading-of-lines hard to absorb (she did better in Act II). A huge contrast w/old pros like Page, Davenport, Glover. I fault Daniel Sullivan for not making the acting styles more consistent. The costume styles were also inconsistent (some quite authentic, others impressionistic). Shaw's ending is strange, w/a huge tonal shift. Still, I'd never seen SJ and found some of the content fascinating.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a different side of Joan, here she is not violent. Very good acting.

Don't see it if Way to long, does not present her as she was. If 3 hours is to long to sit.

See it if you want to see Rashad shine as an intrepid Joan in Shaw's witty, weighty dialectic that bursts w/brilliance in this faithful, fresh staging

Don't see it if you're going to moan about the fact that Shaw's plays are too "talky". [If you need music to enjoy Shaw's verbosity, see My Fair Lady.]

Also It's been a good year for Shaw in NYC, between Bedlam's recently-closed Pygmalion, LC's My Fair Lady and MTC's Saint Joan (plus GTG's monthly Project Shaw readings). With a promising revival of Heartbreak House coming to Theatre Row this summer, it's a good time to be a Shavian!... Read more Read less

See it if Sullivan's laconic direction both a plus/minus but allows Shaw's dialectics full due Surrounded by top notch ensemble, Rashad is up to task

Don't see it if Being Shaw it's always talky & often long winded but reasoned debate so scarce these days.... Rashad tends to garble during intense moments

See it if you're a fan of Shaw or Condola Rashad, enjoy witty but lengthy discussions on faith, devotion and religious politics,

Don't see it if you don't like lengthy, talky shows, have no interest in Joan of Arc or the religious and political arguments of the time or male power

See it if you have never seen this classic work. The production is excellent.

Don't see it if you mind not understanding the central character. She uses an accent that often makes her incomprehensible.

See it if Shaw's spin on Jeanne d'Arc with supporting star wattage. Angelic visions, voices, and heresy. Climatic burning scene is unseen offstage.

Don't see it if No flame, no smoke, and certainly no spark. Three long hrs. Black female lead briefly shackled. Two hrs in trial begins and picks up.Misfire

See it if Shaw brilliantly illustrates conflict btwn individual conscience & smothering state, religious forces.; solid cast including Rashad/Joan

Don't see it if efforts 2 add levity showing instit'l characters as dunces overdone, gimmicky end; set weak; Rashad does not have charisma of great Joans

Also As some have pointed out, this play does not attempt to be an accurate historical representation of Joan. Instead it uses Joan's story to promote GB Shaw's agenda. Shaw uses St. Joan to eviscerate state and religious institutional forces that conspire to suppress, and in this case, silence an individual whose authority is not derived from them. The point/counterpoint dialogue is often brilliant w a few "mic drop" moments that evoke applause from the audience. Not many scripts today are at this level.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see something different from what in the other theaters. The story of Saint Joan.

Don't see it if A moments it is slow, if you have a problem with hearing about the word GOD.

See it if you’re a Tony Awards completist (having to see every nominated performance) or are interested in Joan of Arc.

Don't see it if you can’t sit through nearly three hours with a somewhat arrogant character at the center. This show made me dislike Joan of Arc.

See it if you're interested in Joan of Arc and the interplay between everyone vs the powerful church. Rashad & cast are glorious. Interesting epilogue

Don't see it if you are interested in complex sets/a strictly fact based telling of Joan. This play takes liberties and adds much humor to the telling.

See it if You want to watch a stellar cast perform a very relevant complex and beautifully written show. You love historically based shows ! Condola *

Don't see it if You can’t sit through a nearly 3 hour show which is more talk than action. You have no interest in the saga of Joan of Arc. But great play !

See it if You really love GB Shaw.

Don't see it if You have a short attention span and want to have great entertainment

See it if GBShaw, great acting, listening to excellent wordplay, humor, dialectics, presenting more than one side of an issue are in your wheelhouse

Don't see it if you abhor listening, have no interest in historical perspectives, your butt becomes numb after 45 minutes pass, you cannot abide irony

See it if you love great acting.The supporting cast is mind blowingly good.Rashad is brilliant, as always.It's long and dense, but well worth it.

Don't see it if you like silly shows & hate plays that are beautifully written, acted and designed.This is the best version of St Joan that I have seen

See it if you enjoy to see great acting performances. Exciting casting choices paired with the classic story.

Don't see it if you want something new and refreshing. This is the classic story of Joan of Arc which we're all familiar with already. Play is slow at times

See it if Condola Rashad tore my guts out in the trial scene. And then made me laugh aloud in the epilogue. It’s Shaw - what’s not to like?

Don't see it if See above. But if you’re gonna be picky, I guess it was a bit talky.

See it if you are a fan of the actors, or of Joan of Arc and don't mind period pieces with long elaborate dialog.

Don't see it if you prefer a modern or fast-paced play or are not particularly interested in this story.

See it if you enjoy an excellent staging of a classic story; great ensamble of actors and Rashad is a standout

Don't see it if you dislike long plays or want a more modern story

See it if a fan of any of the actors; you like a dense (but not incomprehensible) play that questions the role of church and state, or want to think.

Don't see it if you dislike historical inaccuracy; expect a serious-minded portrait of Joan of Arc; will mind a finale that feels out of sync with the rest.

Also Saint Joan is certainly ambitious: the martyr-saint’s life is used not as a way to tell a historically-accurate story but, rather, as a point d'appui to discuss church vs. state. While a heavy topic, George Bernard Shaw’s play is accessible. As a whole, I enjoyed its staging and acting, thoughtful presentation of moral and legal conflict, and feministic moments in which a young woman controls religion and government simply through demands, confidence, and charisma. The (male-dominated) ensemble is exceptional. Condola Rashad’s Joan, though, is too petulant, sassy—even braying in tone at times. The Maid should be strong yet not obnoxious. (But--I realize others disagree.) Nevertheless, the metaphoric set-design of having figures entrapped in inners of an organ-like room (sometimes evoking a crucifix) underscores that this play is about the echo-chamber: what is said, who listens, and how words have the power to change minds and lives—even history itself—even if they destroy it all.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in historical dramas, good production values and acting and plays about religious debate and 15h century social upheaval.

Don't see it if you dislike confusing and tedious arguments about religion, stereo typed characterizations, a lot of yelling and lack of nuance.

See it if Like Shaw but gave not seen this before.

Don't see it if Not a great Shaw play that really doesn't go anywhere.

See it if seeing Daniel Sunjata on stage (unfortunately fully-clothed) interest you.

Don't see it if you are expecting Shakespeare because Shaw is a completely different horse of a another color.

Also I'm a huge Condola Rashad fan. Also, I love me some Daniel Sunjata. In addition, I am a fan of Adam Chanler-Berat, John Glover, and Walter Bobbie. However, I am ignorant of Bernard Shaw as a play wright and thus I was expecting Shakespeare when I entered the theater and Shakespeare was NOT what I got. I began dosing off throughout the play within the first fifteen minutes and by the end of the play at the three hour and five minute mark, I discovered that I had slept through the burning at the stake scene I had been waiting to see. Oh Well!... Read more Read less

See it if you're a fan of either Shaw or Joan of Arc's story. Some great acting: moving, intense, & sometimes humorous. Never felt like 2 & 1/2 hrs.

Don't see it if you can't pay attention to stylized dialogue, accents & long monologues. 100yrs later, it's still a magnificent talk-fest, w/little action.

Also Condola is good, but it's the supporting cast that slays.

Her delivery is uncannily almost exactly like her mother's; disconcerting, & NOT a compliment. A bit sing-song, too often punctuated w/misdirected hand gestures.

Great book, amazingly better live. The juxtaposition of lauding (albeit while hearing voices) Joan's sweetness & humility, then using her as a pawn, later accusing her of heresy, works SO well against the intensity of all the testosterone on stage.

Supporting cast stand-outs include Patrick Page ("Baudricourt" & "The Inquisitor"), whose thunderous voice as the latter is captivating; Adam Chanler-Berat's whiny "Dauphin" is near perfection; seeing Walter Bobbie ("Cauchon") perform live is special; Daniel Sunjata is totally believable as the faithful & trusted "Dunois"; stalwart Robert Stanton rocks THREE roles.

Great play for all Shaw fans & all folks interested in historical figures. You might expect a 600yr old story & a 100yr old book to be slow & dated: DEF NOT.... Read more Read less

See it if You are a fan of Shaw's plays or would like to refresh your knowledge of the story of Joan of Arc. The ensemble cast does an excellent job.

Don't see it if Historical dramas are not of interest to you. It is enjoyable to watch so many talented actors give great performances.