"What do you do when you're not sure?"
Theatre Workshop's Doubt: A Parable
opens April 17
By Mary Lancaster Independent Writer
Centering on an old, distasteful yet also timely topic, "Doubt: A Parable," challenges the audience witnessing the stage performance by forcing them to fathom the justification of their pre-conceived

PHOTOS BY JAKE LANCASTER

opinions. In recognizing the significance of the name of the

play as its story unfolds, theater-goers are left questioning the validity of their own judgments.

"It's probably the best play I've ever read - right up there with 'Hamlet,'" said Theatre Workshop of Nantucket director Michael Feeney. "There are no throwaway lines; it's very, very tight. It's not even 50 pages long. Most full length plays are between 75 and 90 pages, but it's so powerful."

"Doubt" takes place at a Bronx Catholic school in 1964 with four char- acters: Father Flynn, a friendly priest played by Ciaran Byrne, Sister Aloysius, a no-nonsense nun played by Pam Murphy, Sister James, a young, inexperienced nun played by Callie Kever and Mrs. Muller, a student's mother whose role is portrayed by Tina Hoskins.

Sister Aloysius first becomes suspicious of Father Flynn's motives when she sees him touch a student on the wrist and the child pulls away. Later, rightly or wrongly, her distrust is bolstered after Sister James tells her she smelled liquor on the breath of student Donald Muller after the boy had been in Father Flynn's company. Shock value is added to the story when Mrs. Muller is called to the school by Sister Aloysius to discuss the allegation of the priests's inappropriate behavior.

"As a director, [the story] is very, very close to home," explained Feeney. "I went to Catholic school during that period and I'm very familiar with all the characters - the hardened battleax and the nun who is a little sunshine. [Sister Aloysius] wasn't necessarily right but she made up her mind. She becomes very rigid until the end. Every character in the play is experiencing doubt."

Playing the part of Father Flynn is one of the most difficult experiences Byrne has had, though he has acted in several Theatre Workshop productions and was directed twice before by Feeney. Byrne's first line he speaks to the audience as the play begins is, "What do you do when you're not sure?"

PHOTO BY JAKE LANCASTER Page 19, Top photo: Actor Ciaran Byrne in the throes of distress as his character Father Flynn is accused of an inappropriate relationship with a child in the TWN production of "Doubt: A Parable."Page 19, bottom photo: Pam Murphy (right) portrays Sister Aloysius, Father Flynn's accuser. Sister James played by Callie Kever (left) delivers a disturbing report that results in Flynn's confrontation. Above: The cast and crew of "Doubt: A Parable" are, back row cast members (l. to r.) Callie Kever, Pam Murphy, Tina Hoskins and Ciaran Byrne. Front row (l.) Dennis Dreher, lighting designer; director Michael Feeney and stage manager Chip Gustafson.

"That line has caused me sleepless nights for the last eight weeks," Byrne confessed. "When Sister Aloysius is pursuing Father Flynn it's either in pursuit of an innocent man or a child molester. One thing people misinterpret is that this play is not about child molestation, but about moral ambiguity. It's about the greater question of what we do when we're not sure.

"It's an immensely challenging role," he continued. "Father Flynn has so many layers. He is enthusiastic and energetic but he's compassionate and willing to give his all for everyone. It's one of the most challenging roles I've ever taken on."

"Doubt: A Parable" is a 2004 play written by John Patrick Shanley. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2005 and also captured four of eight Tony Award nominations in 2005 for Best Play, Best Direction of a Play, two acting awards and, separately, won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play of the Season. In addition, the play received the 2007 Touring Broadway Award as Best Play. Production of a film version began last December.

The play opens in the upstairs performance center of the Methodist Church on Thursday, April 17 with a 7:30 p.m. curtain. Tickets are $15 but for $25 patrons may also attend the opening night party at the Starlight Cafe that takes place at 6 p.m. Tickets are available through www.theatreworkshop. com or at the box office which will be open two hours before curtain. The play will run Thursdays through Saturdays the weeks of April 17 to May 3 with one special Sunday matinee at

3 p.m. on April 20. I