Doubt: A Parable at The Strollers

The Strollers community theater continues its 86th season with a presentation of Doubt, A Parable, the award-winning drama by John Patrick Shanley. The Pulitzer Prize-winning drama will be performed for two weekends in March at the Burgdorff Center for Performing Arts in Maplewood, NJ.

As relevant today as ever, Doubt delves into the murky shadows of moral certainty, challenging each of us to separate perception from reality. Set in 1964, just after Vatican II, Doubt takes us within the halls of a Catholic school and tells the story of a suspicion. The strident Sister Aloysius, both head of the school and subordinate of the newly arrived Father Flynn—her junior in both years and experience, is determined to protect the children in her charge as well as her own position in a new power struggle now in play. When her attention is drawn to Father Flynn’s interest in one particular student, Sister Aloysius must investigate, drawing in novice Sister James and the boy’s mother. Each with motives of his or her own, the players in this tense drama are forced to weigh the value of truth against the burden of consequence. But does truth have any weight at all when it is shrouded in doubt?

Doubt features a cast that includes Cynthia S. Ross as Sister Aloysius, Jason Kruk as Father Flynn, Margaret Mikkelsen as Sister James, and Alice Holloway as Mrs. Muller. The production is directed by Robert Pape and stage managed by JoAnne Hankey; in addition, both Pape and Hankey are serving as producers. Set design is by Kate McNally, lighting design by John Mendlovitz, and costumes by Judy French.

Doubt is being presented for two weekends at the Burgdorff Center for Performing Arts in Maplewood: Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17 at 8:00 pm, Sunday, March 18 at 2:00 pm, and Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24 at 8:00 pm. Visit www.thestrollers.org for information and to purchase tickets, or call 973-761-8453 to reserve tickets.