No DOUBT About It!

The stage play DOUBT was first performed at the Manhattan Theater Club in 2004 and opened at the Walter Kerr Theater on New York’s Broadway in 2005. On February 19, 20 & 21 of 2010, DOUBT was brought to the new home of Boquete Community Players by Director Susan Thoms, where it played to a sold out audience, and received standing ovations after each performance.

Robert Gregory, Agniya Verbeke, Donna O’Toole, Mary Lloyd and Director Susan Thoms

DOUBT was written by Patrick Shanley as a parable that takes place in the 60′s, when many people were exploring their long held beliefs and entering into changes in thinking and behavior. The play explores the fine line between certainty and doubt, taken in the context of a spiritual struggle in which the lead character (Sister Aloysius, played with amazing alacrity by Donna O’Toole) must give up certainty and change occurs.

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The setting, St. Nicholas, a Catholic church and school in the Bronx, New York, and was dedicated by the playwrite to the many orders of Catholic nuns who have devoted their lives to serving others in hospitals, schools and retirement homes. The particular order of nuns in which DOUBT takes place is the order of The Sisters of Charity,. Their founder was St. Elizabeth Seton. Their garb, until the order decided to wear ordinary secular clothing, was the clothing worn by widows in the 18th century. Since theirs is not a cloistered order, they eschew the veil, preferring the little bonnet and practical clothing. The order was established originally in France, dedicated to service for the prison inmates, homeless children, and galley slaves: they established orphanages, schools and hospitals.

Father Flynn (played skillfully by Robert Gregory), the Priest of St. Nicholas’ church, is believed by headmistress Sister Aloysius to be acting inappropriately with one of the boys in her school (the only black child in the school…in 1964). A novice in the order, Sister James (played compassionately by Agniya Verbeke) is torn between the apparent certainty and stern authority of Sister Aloysius and the calm and convincing Father Flynn, and does not know which side to believe.

The emotional rigors of DOUBT reach a fever pitch when Sister Aloysius calls the young boy’s mother into her office for a talk, hoping for support in ousting Father Flynn. Mrs. Muller (played brilliantly by Mary Lloyd) surprises Sister Aloysius with a reaction that is tense with emotion and motherly love. Although it may seem that Mrs. Muller has no concern for the safety of her son, in reality she is walking a tightrope between her angry husband and delicate son. Her performance stirs the audience and creates DOUBT in the mind of Sister Aloysius about her own stern opinion.

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These four very talented actors, all from Boquete, and the very, very versatile and professional Director Susan Thoms are a real blessing to the Boquete Community Players, and we look forward to future productions bringing them back to the BCP stage.

Behind-the-scenes thanks go to Producer Jim Maffitt, Assistant Director Sandi Stephens, Costume Designer Betty Gray, Costume Assistants Barbie deGafferelly, Sandy Smith and Karen Hill, Sound by Dan Grieve and Lighting Design by Agniya Verbeke. Robert Durand created the graphic design for posters and programs, Bud Huber videotaped the show and Erin Ross was responsible for production promotion.

Upcoming productions will prove to be equally successful, especially with the help of our big Boquete community. These great shows can only happen when volunteers from our residents step forward and offer their talents and energy. Please consider being part of a future BCP production. All productions need actors, of course, and some need singers and dancers. But we also need stage managers, set designers, props managers, costumers, makeup/hair, ticket takers, bartenders, ushers, and general helpers. So step up and get involved …..we need you! All BCP Productions are put on totally by volunteers…..so join the fun.

Mark your calendar for upcoming productions:

May 27, 28 & 29 - BROADWAY REVUE

July 8, 9 & 10 – THE PREMATURE CORPSE

December 9, 10 & 11 – THE DINING ROOM

For information on how to get involved on or behind the stage, contact Director .

For information about rental of the BCP Event Center for your next special event, meeting or production, contact Theater Manager .

For information about membership in BCP, contact Membership Director .