"Doubt" Benefits from Superlative Performances
"Doubt," winner of multiple Tony Awards and, for its author, the Pulitzer Prize, plays Hartford's Bushnell Theater through Sunday. It is thrilling to have such commanding and provocative drama in our midst. The play deserves its accolades.
Set in the mid-1960s at a Catholic school in the Bronx, John Patrick Shanley's script finds Father Flynn (Chris McGarry), priest and basketball coach, paying special attention of some sort, to the only African-American student, Joseph Muller. Youthful, insecure Sister James (Lisa Joyce) has made an observation regarding Flynn's response to the ten year old boy and she conveys this to Sister Alysius (Cherry Jones), also principal of the school.
It's impossible for anyone within proximity of the stage not to stare at Jones - in admiration. A truly profound actor, Jones alters her carriage, posture, head position, and mouth to fully inhabit the dedicated, troubled nun. Sister Aloysius is righteous, and, until the final moment of the production, seemingly one hundred percent assured -- even if her conviction of mind is based upon intuitive sense rather than hard knowledge.
We never really know whether Father Flynn has, as the senior nun suggests, seduced young Muller. Ultimately, the boy's mother, Mrs. Muller (Caroline Stefanie Clay) confers with Sioster Aloysius in an emotionally intense scene.
"Doubt" is filled with conflict and while the subject matter is not new, its treatment, within the capable hands of director Doug Hughes, is fresh and riveting. The presentation catapults into high drama after Father Flynn's opening monologue. The initial speech about doubt, which is delivered without significant resonance, is not an indicator of what will occur.
Shanley builds in many crescendos and ultimately, leaves it up to the individual theatergoer to determine whether he/she believes that the priest has actually abused the student. Sister Aloysius must reach deeply within her reservoir of faith to become just as certain as she appears to be.
The playwright does an excellent job of allowing for divergence of opinion. Shanley provides Father Flynn with the opportunity to state his strong case. Sister James (and Joyce is appealing through her Bronx accent) is, by implication, more complex than she wishes to be.
The level of performance demonstrated by the quartet of touring actors is enviable. Jones, without any doubt, deservedly received the Tony. That she continues with such fire, conviction, and truth is remarkable. She is surrounded by actors who assist the production as they act with significant skill and understanding.
The plot fueling "Doubt" is fairly straight ahead. And, Shanley provides humor during the first half of the ninety-five minute show.
Thereafter, everyone in the theater watches and listens with heightened attention and uneasy anticipation.
www.bushnell.org; (860) 987-5900.
Set in the mid-1960s at a Catholic school in the Bronx, John Patrick Shanley's script finds Father Flynn (Chris McGarry), priest and basketball coach, paying special attention of some sort, to the only African-American student, Joseph Muller. Youthful, insecure Sister James (Lisa Joyce) has made an observation regarding Flynn's response to the ten year old boy and she conveys this to Sister Alysius (Cherry Jones), also principal of the school.
It's impossible for anyone within proximity of the stage not to stare at Jones - in admiration. A truly profound actor, Jones alters her carriage, posture, head position, and mouth to fully inhabit the dedicated, troubled nun. Sister Aloysius is righteous, and, until the final moment of the production, seemingly one hundred percent assured -- even if her conviction of mind is based upon intuitive sense rather than hard knowledge.
We never really know whether Father Flynn has, as the senior nun suggests, seduced young Muller. Ultimately, the boy's mother, Mrs. Muller (Caroline Stefanie Clay) confers with Sioster Aloysius in an emotionally intense scene.
"Doubt" is filled with conflict and while the subject matter is not new, its treatment, within the capable hands of director Doug Hughes, is fresh and riveting. The presentation catapults into high drama after Father Flynn's opening monologue. The initial speech about doubt, which is delivered without significant resonance, is not an indicator of what will occur.
Shanley builds in many crescendos and ultimately, leaves it up to the individual theatergoer to determine whether he/she believes that the priest has actually abused the student. Sister Aloysius must reach deeply within her reservoir of faith to become just as certain as she appears to be.
The playwright does an excellent job of allowing for divergence of opinion. Shanley provides Father Flynn with the opportunity to state his strong case. Sister James (and Joyce is appealing through her Bronx accent) is, by implication, more complex than she wishes to be.
The level of performance demonstrated by the quartet of touring actors is enviable. Jones, without any doubt, deservedly received the Tony. That she continues with such fire, conviction, and truth is remarkable. She is surrounded by actors who assist the production as they act with significant skill and understanding.
The plot fueling "Doubt" is fairly straight ahead. And, Shanley provides humor during the first half of the ninety-five minute show.
Thereafter, everyone in the theater watches and listens with heightened attention and uneasy anticipation.
www.bushnell.org; (860) 987-5900.
posted by Fred Sokol at 7:14 AM
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