Actor’s Express is ending its 37th season with a taut, superbly performed version of John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer and Tony-winning “Doubt, A Parable,” helmed by Artistic Director Freddie Ashley. If you enjoy being up close to fine, live theatre, this production is a gem.
The time is 1964, one year after the Kennedy assassination. An unspoken uneasiness pervades much of the country. Even the St. Nicholas Church School in the Bronx has not escaped this queasiness. But the formidable Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Tess Malis Kincaid), principal and head nun, remains traditional and inflexible.
She is suspicious of the charming, progressive Father Flynn’s (Justin Walker) intentions with a 12-year-old boy named Donald Muller (never seen). She calls Sister James (Sarah Velasco), a young history teacher, to her office for a conference. This colloquy turns into an evaluation of Sister James as a teacher; she’s kind and smart, but Sister Aloysius feels she’s too naive about various matters and needs to keep a sharper eye on her students. Also she wants more information about Donald Muller, the school’s first Black student, and his relationship with Father Flynn.
Then there is an incident concerning Donald’s returning from a conference with Flynn with alcohol on his breath. From this point, Sister Aloysius is certain there is criminal mischief afoot in her school even though she has no hard evidence at all. She has her certainty; no doubt. These qualities are the heart of the play’s themes. She arranges a conference with Flynn with Sister James present.
In addition, Sister Aloysius calls Mrs. Muller (Tiffany Denise Hobbs), Donald’s mother, in for a conference. This scene lasts around nine minutes, but it is perhaps the emotional heart and soul of “Doubt.” Some who have seen the film version will no doubt remember Meryl Streep’s and Viola Davis’s superb performances in this scene.
It is thrilling to watch Ms. Kincaid and Ms. Hobbs perform this scene live, right in front of you. Ms. Kincaid’s legendary intensity and concentration are superb. Ms. Hobbs as Mrs. Muller is a polite lioness looking out for her son’s well-being; there was a tad bit of rushing on her part opening night, but she has real power. Both women are thrilling in Shanley’s brilliantly written scene.
Justin Walker’s Father Flynn is supposed to be a charmer, and Mr. Walker does not disappoint. Flynn is a complex character, and Mr. Walker’s good looks, intelligence, and guile (the guile is Flynn’s—or is it? You must decide) are outstanding.
The surprise of the evening for me was Sarah Valasco as Sister James. Her naiveté, gumption, and total emotional commitment were very moving; keep watching this performer.
This was the most satisfying evening of pure theatre I’ve experienced in quite some time, and I’m grateful to Ashley for his casting and masterful direction. If there is a finer practitioner of theatre in the city, I don’t know who it would be. “Doubt” continues through June 22. Don’t miss this show.
Tickets and more information are available at actors-express.com.
