“Doubt: A Parable” is an explosive, sinful delight on Broadway. Playing at the Todd Haimes Theatre on W. 42nd Street, this Roundabout Theatre revival is exceptional. The beautifully and provocatively written story by John Patrick Shanley, which takes place ina Catholic school in the Bronx in 1964, holds your interest from start to finish as the tale unfolds over 90 minutes with no intermission.
Each of the four cast members is splendid. Liev Schreiber is sublime as Father Flynn. Watching him perform is a treat—every facet of his performance, from words to gestures and facial expression, comes across with such power. He plays this character with a great deal of common sense and human vulnerability, but also appropriate indignation and distress. He goes through a gamut of emotions that resonate with the audience.
Amy Ryan is brilliant as the hardcore, by-the-book, suspicious Sister Aloysius. Ryan gives this character a self-righteousness that lets the audience know from the beginning that she has a hidden agenda. Sister Aloysius is able to take the fun out of a room or conversation just by passing a cruel judgment or a disparaging remark. This character judges everyone as guilty, and they can’t prove themselves innocent, whether they are or not. She lives life with a negative agenda, aspiring to take the enthusiasm and joy of life away from others. As hard-hearted and cold as Sister Aloysius comes across in the majority of this production, it is that more gripping when she has a moment of sharing her more vulnerable side at the end. Ryan astonished the audience in the final moment.
Zoe Kazan is magnificent as Sister James, a young nun who views life through rose-colored glasses until Sister Aloysius brings the darkness. She is a woman with a conscience and while she is easily hurt and openly emotional, she slowly learns to develop a backbone and believe in her own convictions.
Quincy Tyler Bernstine is mesmerizing as Mrs. Muller, the mother of the only Black student at the school. When she is called to the principal’s office to meet with Sister Aloysius, the scene is tense and amazing to behold. She forcefully portrays the role of a Black mother whose son has a lot on the line, both at this school and when it comes to his home life as well. She gives Mrs. Muller a protective, maternal instinct, not just to protect her son at this school, but to make sure he does not miss out on this educational opportunity due to a nun’s obvious vendetta with a priest. She comes across like a mother attempting to ignore Sister Aloysius’s allegations against Father Flynn when it comes to his behavior with her son, because there is no proof and because her son has much more to lose if he is put out of the school. This is a mother who looks at life for the bigger picture.
This is a play that really makes one question of what is fact or fiction? In this story, the one fact you do walk away with is that gossip and innuendo ruin people’s lives and are not to be taken lightly.
Scott Ellis’s direction is outstanding. This play also features marvelous set design by David Rockwell, costume design by Linda Cho, lighting design by Kenneth Posner, and sound design by Mikaal Sulaiman.
“Doubt: A Parable” will make you laugh, smile, be captivated and take your breath away.
For more info, visit www.roundabouttheatre.org.