John Patrick Shanley’s “Doubt: A Parable” opens with a sermon about doubt. Father Flynn (Benjamin Grills) asks, “What do you do if you’re not sure?” The homily sets the tone for the show, and quickly lets us know the timeframe, referencing President Kennedy’s assassination a year earlier. So, 1964.
Flynn’s sermon wraps up with, “Doubt can be as powerful as certainty.” He closes with the sign of the cross. “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.” It instantly transported me back to my days in Catholic school, before the Ghost was replaced by the Spirit.
“Doubt: A Parable” is the closing production of the Gamm’s 39th season, and it’s a wonderful way to end their year.
As Flynn exits, the lights come up on a small office. Desk, two chairs, a stool, an end table, and a rotary phone. We meet Sister Aloysius (Phyllis Kay) and Sister James (Mary Mullane). Aloysius is the no-nonsense principal of the school connected with Saint Nicholas’ parish. James is a young idealistic – and to Aloysius, naïve – nun who genuinely loves teaching her 8th graders.
Aloysius is a tough woman, very set in her ways. Ballpoint pens are killing penmanship, and boys are made of “gravel, soot and tar paper.” Get in her way, and she’ll bulldoze you. I had flashbacks to my 2nd grade teacher, Mother Mary of the Cross.
The nuns’ conversation turns to Donald Muller, the school’s first Black student. Aloysius wonders if anyone’s beaten him up yet. The parish is made up of Italian and Irish families, and eventually, according to Aloysius, someone would beat Donald up. Not so, says James, as Donald has a protector: Father Flynn.
That triggers Aloysius’ radar. She’s often thought that Flynn is too familiar with the boys in the school. James tells her that she recently saw Donald leaving the rectory and acting strangely upon his return to the classroom. Plus, James smelled alcohol on his breath.
That sets Aloysius into motion. She’s certain that Flynn is guilty of inappropriate behavior, and she will run him out of the parish. “I wouldn’t mind being wrong, but I doubt I am,” she tells James.
What follows is Aloysius’ campaign to destroy Flynn. She confronts Flynn, who has a reasonable explanation for what James witnessed. She calls in Donald’s mother (Lynsey Ford) to let her know what she thinks. As Aloysius has no actual proof of any wrong-doing, Mrs. Muller begs her to leave things alone, “just until June,” when Donald will graduate and be able to get into a good high school.
There’s a particularly strong moment when Flynn screams at Aloysius. “You haven’t’ the slightest proof.” Aloysius responds, “I have my certainty.”
Certainty requires no proof, and that’s the bottom line of this parable.
“Doubt: A Parable” is a powerful tale, questioning the value of certainty when leaving room for doubt might be the better approach.
The four actors are superb. Kay’s Aloysius is tough as nails and certain that she’s right. Mullane’s James is timid and full of doubt, wanting to believe Flynn’s explanation. Grills’ Flynn is sympathetic and presents his sermons with passion. Ford’s Muller is caring and not afraid to stand up to Aloysius.
Certainty clashes with doubt much in the same way that warm air collides with cold air to produce a storm. You’ll walk out of this particular storm thinking about the things about which you’re certain.
“Doubt: A Parable” runs at the Gamm on Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick through June 2. For tickets and information, call the box office at 401.723.4266 or visit the website at www.gammtheatre.org.