John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt has won both the Tony and the Pulitzer Prizes and has managed
to set the stage for what may turn into a wonderful hundred years in the
theatre. If the arts are a response to our
political and social issues then Shanley has managed to assist in defining a generation and focusing our eyes on many problems of today. It is
truly a fast-paced, passionate drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat... a rare thing in the American theater.
Doubt is set at a
Roman Catholic Church and school in the Bronx in 1964, not that the year matters
minus a few references and costumes. The
plot involves a Catholic grammar school and the possible misbehavior of Father
Flynn (Joe Hickey), a popular priest in the parish who coaches boy’s basketball
and befriends its troubled students.
Despite its ripped-from-the-headlines scenario, the play actually takes
place in 1964, right around the time of the Vatican II reforms.
Flynn’s
demeanor seems at first perfectly innocent, showing him to be a more
contemporary spiritual leader in stark contrast to Jones’ indefatigable school
principal, Sister Aloysius (Susan Pellegrino). She, having her doubts about the
moral character of the priest, recruits the young, naïve Sister James
(Stephanie Cozart) to keep her ear close to the ground. When Sister James comes
to her over a strange occurrence involving Father Flynn and a student with
alcohol on his breath, the school principal has all the confirmation she needs for
her suspicions.
What follows is an explosive cat-and-mouse game between
Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn.
Although Flynn provides her with more information about the incident,
the relentless nun refuses to accept what seems to be a reasonable explanation.
At first, it seems she is on a witch-hunt of sorts. But her continued probing into Flynn’s background provides
further details to fuel her beliefs.
This is an incredible cast that Artistic Director Chris
Hanna has brought together.  This is an incredible cast that Artistic Director Chris
Hanna has brought together. Pellegrino is at the top of her form
portraying the unforgiving nun who runs her school like a totalitarian state.
Told that the students fear her, she is pleased. Aloysius shows no pity for the likeable Flynn as she sets out to
destroy him for the sin she believes, beyond a shadow of a doubt, he has
committed. Susan Pellegrino (Aloysius) is a woman who
you can love to hate. She exudes and
embodies the discomfort and fear brought forth by the sisters in a Catholic
school (take it from one who attended, catholic school that is) and at the same
time traps you in her world of doubt.
You hate her but by the end you feel sympathy and empathy for her.
Joe Hickey
(Flynn) is amusing, charming and believable, sometimes uncomfortably so, as the
concerned priest who may be getting too close to the boys as he avoids
confessing yet at the same time never proves his innocence. Kim Staunton (Mrs. Muller), who plays the
mother of the child who is caught drinking and possibly abused, has but one
scene however it is probably one of the most memorable in the show. What do you say and how do you react
when a parent says, “So what if my son was touched, he is here so he can get
into a good school.” “He graduates this
year why do we need to make this into something it isn’t even if it might
be.” These are paraphrased some but at
the same time powerful.
Doubt is one act running approximately 90 minutes but feels
like it is under one hour. I’m not sure
there can be a higher compliment than that.
Doubt runs through Oct. 7, 2007 at Virginia Stage.
|