"Doubt" A Staged Reading with Scenes - Review by Carol Moore

When I read that Theatre at the Center was doing a stage reading of Doubt: A Parable, I knew what that was but I didn’t know if all of you did, so I googled it.   According to Backstage.com, “a staged reading is a rehearsed read-through of a script, performed in front of a seated audience. Actors are not off-book for a staged reading, and some (or all) of the stage directions are read aloud—one reason these performances are compared to audiobooks or radio plays.” 

So, for TATC’s stage reading of Doubt, the actors sat at the rear of the stage; they were not off-book, and the stage directions were read aloud.  This reading, however, was designated ‘with scenes’, meaning the actors wore costumes, and key locations, the church, the principal’s office and a bench in the garden, were designated around the stage. 

TATC's Doubt cast, Philip Potempa as Father Brendan Flynn, Jeannie Rapstad as Sister Aloysius Beauvier, Renee Giragos as Sister James, Lisa Tyree as Mrs. Muller and Tony Panek as the Narrator, did wonderful job.  They brought their characters to life, bringing emotions into the reading. 

Doubt is set at St. Nicholas Catholic Church and School in the Bronx, New York City in the fall of 1964 – and within the hierarchy of the Catholic parish, nuns report to the principal who reports to the pastor and/or assistants who report to the bishop. 

Jeannie Rapstad is terrific as Sister Aloysius, a rigidly conservative nun who doesn’t really trust anyone.  Her passive aggressive commentary about Sister James’s love of history, her teaching techniques, and her control of her classroom, sounds completely normal and reasonable. 

When Sister James mentions her concerns about Donald Muller, a new student and the first African American student in the school, Sister Aloysius isn’t particularly interested.  When Sister James mentions the change in Donald after he met with Father Flynn, and the alcohol on his breath, Aloysius becomes suspicious. 

Phil Potempa was totally believable as a priest confronted with suspicion.  He was by turns condescending, cautious and indignant in his dealings with Aloysius. 

Rene Giragos was an excellent choice for naïve Sister James, a first-year teacher who loves her job.  James doesn’t want to believe that anything was wrong about Father Flynn’s meeting with the boy. 

Wearing her Sunday best dress and her church hat, Lisa Tyree was perfect as Mrs. Muller.  She’s happy her son got into St. Nicholas School for eighth grade and just wants everything to stay the same.  She hints at Donald’s sexuality when she mentions that her husband ‘beat it out of him.’  She sees this as Donald’s best chance to get into a good high school so wants him to last until June. 

There isn’t a real resolution in the end, hence the title.  A really well done staged reading.  4 Spotlights