No room for doubt — this play succeeds
The Union staff
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12:01 a.m. PT Apr 24, 2008
Fresh from her rousing success with "Urinetown," Foothill Theatre Company's Carolyn Howarth tackles directing a drama about a 1960s Catholic school that is dealing with a possible sex scandal.
"Doubt, A Parable" says Howarth, "takes place in very small spaces - there's a tiny little nun's office, a tiny little church garden.
And the people in those tiny spaces are trying to keep their true thoughts and feelings bottled up in even tinier spaces. "Doubt" has just as much energy as "Urinetown," but with no room to move. It's a real pressure-cooker."
It's a story about Father Flynn, who is suspected of an inappropriate relationship with one of the students, and the school principal, Sister Aloysius, who has to decide what to do about it.
But he is charismatic and outranks her in the church hierarchy and she doesn't have enough good evidence to make an informed decision, yet she must.
The drama crackles with tension and has many twists and turns. The story has even attracted Hollywood: Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman star in the film version, sheduled for release in December.
No wonder, the playwright, John Patrick Shanley, is one of a select group of writers who have won an Antoinette Perry Award (Tony), an Academy Award (Oscar), and a Pulitzer Prize. He is perhaps best known as the screenwriter for Moonstruck (Best Screenplay, 1987).
Get tickets early, as this play promises to be a popular draw.
WHAT: "Doubt" by John Patrick Shanley; directed by Carolyn Howarth
WHEN: Tonight at 7 p.m. through May 25. Showtimes: Thursdays, 7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees, 2 p.m.
WHERE: The Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad St., Nevada City
ADMISSION: Tickets are $16 - $28 with
bargain seats and special discounts available. Opening Night, Friday, is $32 and includes post-show Meet the Artists reception at the Nevada City Winery, 321 Spring St., a few steps from the theater
INFORMATION: Box Office phone: (530) 265-8587. Order tickets online: www.foothill
theatre.org.
