Doubt — A parable, award-winning social commentary at Willits Theatre
Doubt — A Parable, an award- winning social commentary by playwright John Patrick Shanley, will show at Willits Community Theatre from Feb. 7 to 23.
Directed by Steve Marston, the play follows a conflict that arises within a Catholic church over how to adapt to changing times. Father Flynn played by Jeff Shipp has been confronted with the problem of an altar boy caught drinking wine.
The boy is AfricanAmerican and Flynn’s decision not to handle the issue with the church’s usual rigid response sparks stern disapproval from the Nun Superior played by Barbaralee Lilker.
She suspects the worst, bel ieving something highly inappropriate must be going on between the boy and Father Flynn. Nothing could be further from the truth, however, and grave doubts regarding Church business have been planted.
Enter the boy’s mother, Mrs. Muller, played by Connie Austen—a woman of great power and moral character who is determined, above all, that her son make it through life on fair terms.
Ever greater proportions of doubt are now ladled onto how the Church should conduct its business. A young neophyte nun, Sister James, played by Elizabeth Dellett, simply wishes that everyone would just calm down and get along.
However, by the time that doubt has become the centerpiece of this moving and engaging drama, the very outcome will ultimately leave some in the audience in a state of questioning and doubt over what is proper and just, for all those concerned.
Director Marston says of this play, which won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for drama and the 2005 Tony Award, “The play as a parable is intended to present us with a lesson in the form of a question. If our beliefs become no longer relevant within changing times, then what must we do? In the face of great doubt do we harden in our stance—as we see around us all too much today in our society—or do we learn a better way in going forward and how to handle our differences?”
Doubt — A Parable will show at the WCT playhouse from Feb. 7 to 23, with shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees as 2 p.m.
Advance tickets are available in person at Mazahar, 38 S. Main St., Willits; online at brownpapertickets.com; or by phone 24/7 at 1-800-838-3006. Tickets will also available at the door until sold out.
The WCT playhouse is located at 37 W. Van Lane (behind Shanachie Pub).