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Acclaimed ‘Doubt’ comes to Stage 3
Maryann Curmi and Kelly Ruelas are featured in "Doubt"
“What do you do when you’re not sure?” That’s the opening line of “Doubt” opening Friday, June 20 at Stage 3 Theatre Company. A simple sentence, but it throws into motion a gripping tale of suspense, a cat and mouse game of mystery, suspicion, and uncertainty that has kept audiences on the edge of their seats across the country.
It is certain that “ Doubt” is one of the most honored plays of the last decade, if not the last half-century. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, four Tony Awards, and two Obie Awards, John Patrick Shanley’s drama also garnered ‘Best New Play’ awards from the New York Drama Critics’ Circle, the Drama League, the Outer Critic’s Circle and the Drama Desk. Shanley previously won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay with ‘Moonstruck’ starring Cher and Nicholas Cage.
On the surface, the plot is deceptively simple. It is set against the backdrop of a Catholic school in 1964. When a tough-as-nails nun grows suspicious of a priest who seems to take a special interest in a new student, she faces the decision of a lifetime. Does she pursue her concerns even if she’s not entirely certain of the truth or bury her suspicions and leave room for doubt? What follows is an epic battle of iron wills, a fast-paced and intricate duel that will leave audiences laying blame and switching sides even after they leave the theater.
“The #1 show of the year” claimed Time Magazine, “simple in outline, complex in resonance.” The New York Times called it “inspired and extraordinary… with the compelling structure of an old-fashioned detective novel.”
Artistic Director Don Bilotti says “This has no business being a great play, but it is. It is subtle and electrifying. I can’t remember when we’ve been more excited about a production. We are so lucky to have the cast we’ve got and a director like Lloyd Battista.”
Battista came to Stage 3 out of the blue. “Well through the mail anyway,” continues Bilotti. “He dropped me a note saying he was new to the area and interested in directing at our theater. I was floored by his vast credits – Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional theater, TV and film. After we got to know each other better, I was certain he was the person to helm ‘Doubt’.”
Says Battista “Prizes, awards – there seems to one for everything, which, as far as I’m concerned, diminish most of them. On the other hand, I think ‘Doubt’ deserves every award it garnered – it is a truly extraordinary piece of theater, and one of the things that made me want to direct it, is the very quality that I find missing in most contemporary theater, at type of audience involvement which we seem to have lost completely. This play has everything; humor, drama and the ability to leave you talking and thinking about the play for a long time after seeing it. A consummation devoutly to be wished.”
Battista meticulously cast the play with actors who could handle the subtlety and passion the script calls for.
Maryann Curmi, recognized as one of the region’s most talented comediennes and directors, gets to display her considerable dramatic chops as Sister Aloysius, the iron-willed principal who suspects the wrongdoing. Audiences will remember her recently as Zorah, the over-the-top artistic director in “Inspecting Carol”, one half of the zany “Odd Couple” and dozens of other memorable performances.
Father Flynn, the priest under her intense scrutiny, is portrayed by Sid Marsh, a recent transplant from the Bay Area where he portrayed leading roles in a number of theaters. He was last seen in “Humble Boy” at Murphys Creek.
Up and coming Kelly Ruelas is Sister James, the young nun torn between the two.
Michelle Allison will play Mrs. Muller, the mother of the child in question. She was last seen at Stage 3 in “Crowns” and twice portrayed Billie Holliday in “Lady day at Emerson’s Bar and Grille”.
The design team responsible for bringing “Doubt” to reality will consist of Ron Cotnam (Set Design), Diana Newington (Costumes), and Matthew Leamy (Lighting). Stage management will be by Susan Easley.
This production is made possible in part by Associate Producer Golden State Cellular.
“Doubt” will run at Stage 3, 208 S. Green St., downtown Sonora, from June 20 through July 20. The show will run Thursday through Sunday. Curtain times are 7 pm, Thursday, 8 pm Friday and Saturday and 2 pm Sunday. Ticket prices are $15 Thursday, $18 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Senior Sundays are $15. Students always $12. Call 209 536 1778 for reservations and information. Visit www.stage3.org.
