REVIEW: ‘Doubt: A Parable’ is still powerful as ever
Photo: Doubt: A Parable stars, from left, Amy Ryan and Quincy Tyler Bernstine. Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus / Provided by Polk & Co. with permission.
NEW YORK — Doubt, the exquisite John Patrick Shanley play, is receiving a first-rate revival courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company. Running through April 21 at the Todd Haimes Theatre, this religious-centered show follows the character of Sister Aloysius (Amy Ryan, a late addition to the cast after Tyne Daly’s departure), a stern nun who suspects that the local priest, Father Flynn (Liev Schreiber), has abused a child at the parish school. Zoe Kazan plays Sister James, a young nun who holds tight to her positivity and friendliness, even when things turn dark around her. Quincy Tyler Bernstine plays Mrs. Muller, the mother of the boy at the center of this drama.
Shanley has such an economic use of words. The play runs a quick 90 minutes with no intermission, and there’s hardly a word wasted as Sister Aloysius attempts to elicit a confession from Father Flynn. He doesn’t go down easily. This priest is firmly implanted in the patriarchal structure of the Roman Catholic Church, which leaves the sister at a disadvantage. His word will be believed over her word, and this means her detective work needs to be sly and unwavering.
The play, which is technically called Doubt: A Parable, has more than a few lessons to teach the audience. Firstly, the drama offers a personalized look at the church abuse scandal from the perspective of the staff on the inside. However, there’s also the devastating scene when Mrs. Muller visits Sister Aloysius. Their conversation, about race, racism, educational opportunities and sexuality, is the centerpiece of the show, which won just about every award during its initial run more than a decade ago. That’s one of the engaging joys and uncomfortable realities of Doubt; the conversations are fascinating to hear and never grow tiresome or boring. This is a play that understands the audience is ultimately in the seat of the jury, trying to figure out whether Father Flynn is a monster or a misunderstood priest.
Scott Ellis directs the drama with skill and a similar economy that Shanley utilizes for his words. Scenes transition in one another with ease, taking the players through an academic year at this Bronx Catholic school. The seasons subtly change, and so do perceptions and feelings.
The cast is excellent — superb in that way where it’s almost impossible find any criticism worthy of mentioning. Ryan is pitch-perfect as the towering central figure, commanding attention with her line delivery and eliciting sympathy when she herself has doubt. Schreiber finds the right balance between priestly cool and skilled wordsmith; he makes the audience want to believe in his innocence, but Sister Aloysius’s determination is equally convincing. Bernstine and Kazan are wonderful in their supporting roles, each bringing additional poetry and power to this difficult-to-solve mystery.
Doubt has triumphantly returned to Broadway; it’s as devastating, saddening and introspective as ever.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Doubt: A Parable, written by John Patrick Shanley and directed by Scott Ellis, stars Amy Ryan, Liev Schreiber, Quincy Tyler Bernstine and Zoe Kazan. Running time: 90 minutes. Running through April 21 at the Todd Haimes Theatre on 42nd Street. A Roundabout Theatre Company production. Click here for more information and tickets.
