...as powerful as certainty...(Bunbury Theatre)

Doubt: A Parable By John Patrick Shanley Directed by Mike Seely A review by Kate Barry

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What happens when a priest is seen with a young boy? Truth and what it could be fuel the deceit and twists of John Patrick Shanley’s award winning masterpiece Doubt: A Parable. Bunbury Theater closes their current season with the intriguing drama involving faith and accusation.

The year is 1964 and the setting is a Catholic parish. President Kennedy has been shot and the strides from the Civil Rights movement have brought significant progress. Father Flynn (Neil Brewer) is seen alone with a student in the church. The student is the lone African-American student in the school. What follows is nearly obsessive suspicion by the principal (Karole Spangler) and the student’s teacher (Sophie Hill). Choices drive Doubt and how we live with our decisions.

Neil Brewer’s Father Flynn is a young progressive with warmhearted sermons and passion to relate to his students. Brewer’s Flynn does well to bring steadfast faith without victimhood or villainy. He carries the frequent accusations that have followed him from previous schools as a burden. There is no denial on his end, only an unwavering belief he did not caused any harm. Brewer’s take on a man of power such as Father Flynn is sincere with good intentions and imperfections.

As more details of Father Flynn’s behavior come to light, Karole Spangler provides a rigid Sister Aloysius. Unwavering in her devotion to God, she grows to despise the sin and the sinner. Spangler’s performance is emotional as Sister Aloysius devotion to Father Flynn is challenged with a confrontation. Brewer and Spangler’s scenes together contain the right amount of tension as tempers flare and motives are questioned.

Sophie Hill brings naïve commitment as Sister James. Hill’s emotionally driven choices bring even keel to Spangler’s rule following justifications. With such a heartfelt character, Hill’s Sister James naturally takes the side against Father Flynn despite what her personal feeling might be. Kymberly Vaughn’s Mrs. Muller presents the side of the story from the student’s perspective to Sister Aloysius. Vaughn smartly and sympathetically displays how the feelings of isolation and the overwhelming desperation to just get her son through school until June hang heavy over her family. Vaughn is strong as Mrs. Muller provides pleas for protection and a better life.

The strongest component of Doubt: A Parable at Bunbury is how Father Flynn’s story is presented. While other characters grow to doubt what they truly believe, the audience is left to make up their own minds. Consider all the sides of this parable and make a conclusion. You might be surprised.

Doubt: A Parable

The Bunbury Theatre Company

May 9-11

May 15-18

May 22-25 (Thursday - Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM) The Henry Clay Building

604 S 3 rd Street

Louisville, KY 40202

(502) 585-5306 http://www.bunburytheatre.org