For the past 90 years, the Westport
Country Playhouse located in Westport, Connecticut
has been dazzling audiences with their high-quality, professional performances.
Director David Kennedy continues the tradition of excellence with
his presentation of Doubt: A Parable. Written by Playwright
John Patrick Shanley, the play was the winner of the 2005
Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. The
talented ensemble cast features actors Betsy Aidem, Eric
Bryant, Kerstin Anderson, and Sharina Martin. The
play runs from November 2 - 20 (in-person tickets) and from November 11 -
21 (virtual tickets).
Kerstin Anderson (Sister James), Betsy Aidem (Sister Aloysius)
Doubt: A Parable
After COVID restrictions for the past 2-years, it was wonderful to
be back in Westport, Connecticut sitting in the Westport Country Playhouse on
Opening Night, Saturday, November 6, 2021, to see the play, Doubt: A
Parable. No shrinking violet when it comes to putting on plays that
push the envelope and make the audience think and perhaps reevaluate one's rationale
and beliefs, Westport Country Playhouse Director David Kennedy once again
elicited the absolute best from his outstanding cast to deliver a flawless
performance. The talented ensemble cast consisted of Betsy Aidem as the
tyrannical Sister Aloysius the school principal, Eric Bryant as Father
Brendan Flynn, Kerstin Anderson as the young and enthusiastic
teacher Sister James, and Sharina Martin as Mrs. Muller,
the mother of a troubled student.
Betsy Aidem (Sister Aloysius), Eric Bryant (Father Brendan Flynn)
Doubt: A Parable
The synopsis of the play, "It's 1961. Sister Aloysius a school
principal with a mandate to uphold tradition, is certain that something's
terribly wrong about the relationship between a young parish priest and a
troubled boy. Beneath her moral crusade to reveal the horrible truth lies a
chasm of doubt, where the choices we make can reverberate beyond the imagining.
Who is telling the truth? Who do we believe?"
Kerstin Anderson (Sister James), Betsy Aidem (Siste Aloysius)
Doubt: A Parable
Thus is the premise for the play, Doubt: A Parable. As
defined in the dictionary, "doubt" is "a feeling of uncertainty or lack of
conviction," which plays heavily when our actions, or lack thereof, can have on
others. In the play, Father Flynn gives a sermon in which he tells the
fictional story of a woman who asks her priest if gossiping is a sin. He
replies that she should go home, take a pillow, and cut it open with a knife,
and then come back to him. She dutifully complies, and when she returns to the
priest, he asks her if she cut the pillow open. She replied that she did. He
replied that she should go home and pick up all the feathers and put them back
into the pillow. She replied, that would be impossible, the wind took the
feathers. The priest replied, that is what gossip is, once it is out, the
damage can never be undone.
Betsy Aidem (Sister Aloysius), Eric Bryant (Father Brendan Flynn)
Doubt: A Parable
The cast gives a powerful performance where the thoughts and
actions of one can influence the lives of many. It also sets the stage as to
question how far one goes to accuse someone and act on suspicion alone, without
veritable proof. What is the motivation that lies behind the doubt and the
action? Does the end justify the means? This is a play that will have you
talking about long after you leave the theater. Bravo!
Sharina Martin (Mrs. Muller), Betsy Aidem (Sister Aloysius)
Doubt: A Parable
Until next time, keep
enjoying and supporting the arts!
Cast:
Betsy Aidem
|
Sister
Aloysius
|
Eric Bryant
|
Father
Brendan Flynn
|
Kerstin Anderson
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Sister
James
|
Sharina Martin
|
Mrs.
Muller
|

Betsy Aidem (Sister Aloysius)
Doubt: A Parable
The
Creative Team:
John Patrick Shanley
|
Playwright
|
David Kennedy
|
Director
|
Charlie Corcoran
|
Scenic
Designer
|
Sarita Fellows
|
Costume
Designer
|
Carolina Ortiz Herrera
|
Lighting
Designer
|
Frederick Kennedy
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Sound
Designer
|
Visitor Requirements at the Westport Country Playhouse for Indoor
Events - Know Before You Go
"Upon entering any of our indoor spaces, the Jason Robards
Theatre, the Lucille Lortel White Barn, or the administrative offices, we will
require all visitors to provide proof that they have been vaccinated. Please
bring your vaccination card (you may bring a copy or a picture of it on your
phone) or provide other proof such as a travel app or documentation from your
health provider. Unfortunately, children under 12 will not be able to attend
at this time as they are not yet eligible for the vaccine. Masks must be
worn properly, over the nose and mouth, at all times." Note:
Information updated on October 22, 2021.
About the Westport Country Playhouse
The Westport Country Playhouse named as "Theatre Company of
the Year" in December 2013 by The Wall Street Journal, opened on June 29,
1931, in a transformed 1835 cow barn, which has, and continues to attract, a
"who's who" of prominent actors.
Looking at the framed posters of past shows that line the lobby
walls was like entering an encyclopedia of the arts. A few of the renowned
actors who have appeared on the stage there include Ethyl Barrymore, Dorothy
and Lillian Gish, Tallulah Bankhead, Gloria Swanson, Don Ameche, Hume Cronin
and Jessica Tandy, Jane Fonda, Danny Aiello, Blythe Danner, Jill Clayburgh,
Richard Dreyfus, Whoopi Goldberg, Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters, Lynn
Redgrave, Gene Wilder, and Westport residents Joanne Woodward and Paul
Newman.
"Westport Country Playhouse, a not-for-profit theater, serves
as a cultural nexus for patrons, artists and students and is a treasured
resource for the State of Connecticut. There are no boundaries to the creative
thinking for future seasons or the kinds of audiences and excitement for
theater that Westport Country Playhouse can build."
For information on Doubt: A Parable or upcoming
performances, or to purchase in-person or virtual tickets, please call the box
office at +1-203-227-4177, email them at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or visit the website at www.WestportPlayhouse.org.
Upcoming Performances
2021 Season
|
Dates
Running
|
Doubt: A Parable
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November 2 - 21, 2021
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2022 Season
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Dates
Running
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Next to Normal
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April
5-23, 2022
|
Straight White Men
|
May
24-June 11, 2022
|
Ain't Misbehavin'
|
July
5-23, 2022
|
4000 Miles
|
August 23-September
10, 2022
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From the Mississippi Delta
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October 18 - November 5, 2022
|
Westport Country Playhouse
25 Powers Court
Westport, Connecticut 06880
United States
Box Office: +1-203-227-4177
Toll-Free: +1-888-927-7529
Fax: +1-203-454-3239
Box Office: +1-203-227-4177
Website: www.WestportPlayhouse.org
Instagram: @wcplayhouse
Twitter: @wcplayhouse
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