| Despite an early line in this play by one of the four characters referring to art being a waste of time, Doubt certainly will not be a waste of time for off-Barrow production theater goers. And they might be uncomfortable with the play’s overall message, they will be very comfortable sitting in the brand new chairs donated by the Silver Cornet Community Band. Doubt, a play by John Patrick Shanley, is set in the shadows of John F. Kennedy’s assassination and the beginnings of the Lyndon Johnson era civil right’s movement. It tackles some very serious issues that are actually still all too relevant today. In this play, art reflects society… external facts get questioned and internal struggles get revealed… sound familiar? From old school dogmatic traditions that are facing a fast changing society... one more accepting of diversity… the complexity of truth is hard to grasp fully. Recognizing it when flooded by trending newer ideologies and practices becomes a source of question everything, including one’s set in beliefs. Open minded tolerance is hit smack dab in the head with blind intolerance from an individual turning a blind eye to empathy, but are they right? Doubt is a play of questions. It is an exploration of preconceptions, love, inclusion and how advantages are given to some and not to others, and who gets to decide who deserves what. It tackles some pretty heavy topics that are just as relevant today as they were when the play was written. And it realves delves into how not everything is so cut and dry. And oh my, what performances too. You can almost feel the ruler across your knuckles in Sister Alolysios stoic, yet piercing stare as she coldly delivers her lines. Lisa Harry calmly, softly delivers her lines and seems to almost take on the role as villain to her softer more likable good hearted, though perhaps naive, Elizabeth Williams playing Sister James. Her doubt about what she experiences is all over Williams’ face from the onset in her brilliant portrayal as a wanting for the best optimist. Father Flynn, played by Aaron Ritsig, also has this likeable, though over-the-top ready to please the young people persona that is suplimated by his role as a male member of the church that keeps women in a subservient place. In the end we can assume his guilt, but for the doubt. The final cast mate has only one, be it very poignant and powerful scene. Vera Saeli tries to paint a picture of the life of her son with an abusive father in a culture that not only discriminates against the color of his skin, but who he is as a young gay boy. Her turmoil to keep her son protected gives us a very complicated look into love, acceptance and the injustice of unacceptance all in one poignant performance. This Little Theatre production only seats around 60 people, but there are seats still available. Director Brooke Lawrie said she heard complaints about the old seats being uncomfortable but that is now taken care of thanks to a generous donation of cushioned chairs. Performances open tonight, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday 2 p.m. matinee. The show runs under two hours. Purchase tickets at https://barrowtheatre.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket#/events/a0STN000006WmxJ2AS |         |
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