Doubt

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "Doubt" by John Patrick Shanley

Date: Tues, Feb 6, 11:09 PM

Quicktake on DOUBT

     John Patrick Shanley's "Doubt" starts out with a homily on "doubt," preached by Father Flynn, the pastor of Saint Nicholas, here played by actor/director Chris McGarry in his fifth collaboration with the author. In a sense, the play is Shanley's explication of the conflict between doubt and faith, between faith and "rules." The latter is personified by Sister Aloysius, the principal of the convent school associated with the parish, played by Cherry Jones, who received a Tony for her performance in the role on Broadway. The former is personified by Lisa Joyce as Sister James, a young 8th grade teacher who becomes Sister Aloysius's informant. The matter of the play is a possible improper relationship between the school's only black student and the pastor, who's also the basketball coach. In the course of Sister Aloysius' relentless pursuit of Father Flynn, whose liberal ways she does not approve of, the fourth member of the cast, the boy's mother, played by Caroline Stefanie Clay, who appeared in the original off-Broadway Manhattan Theatre Club production

     Shanley's emotional and intellectual puzzle involves various unseen characters as well; the elderly monsignor who Sister Aloysius avoids since she's sure he'd side with the pastor, the boy himself, the sexton who caught him drinking communion wine, and in a sense, the world outside the Church which Sister Aloysius seeks to fend off by a firm application of rules. This ninety minute piece is very tightly constructed with measured revelations, always leaving room for multiple interpretations, which Doug Hughes Tony-winning direction evenhandedly maintains. With scenes moving across on John Lee Beatty's set, costumes by Catherine Zuber, and effective lighting by Pat Collins, this is probably the best mounted touring show the grace the Colonial's venerable boards in a long time.

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"Doubt" by John Patrick Shanley, Feb. 6 - 18

MTC, Jon B. Platt, etc at the Colonial

106 Boylston, (6i7) 931 - 2787
Colonial