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No Doubting 'Doubt'

At first glance, Barksdale 's newest offering, " Doubt: A Parable," focuses on one important question: Did he or didn't he? But the well-crafted, multi-layered play, written by John Patrick Shanley, is as much about the doubt that each one of us experiences as it is about the question at hand.

Part of The Acts of Faith 2008 Season, "Doubt" takes place at St. Nicholas, a Catholic school in the Bronx in 1964. The play's central story revolves around a priest at the school who may or may not have had an inappropriate relationship with a young, male student – the only black student in the school. The answer to "Did he or didn't he?" is left up to the audience to decide.

"Doubt" forces the audience to take every action, every gesture and every word to heart as it sizes up Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius. The two are polar opposites – Father Flynn takes a humanistic approach to dealing with students and advocates change while strict and stern Sister Aloysius clings to tradition. Caught in the middle of the two is Sister James, a young nun who Sister Aloysius intimidates, causing James to doubt Father Flynn's motives.

Under the direction of Keri Wormald , the play's pace and content is so intriguing that the 90-minute production with no intermission breezes by. The audience gets caught up in the ambiguity of the play, continuously looking for some clue that will provide a definitive answer. Wormald is to be commended for her selection of actors as each brings strength to the production.

As Father Flynn, Duke Lafoon skillfully moves from an amiable character who deals compassionately with students to a frustrated, embittered target of accusations that explodes with anger. Lafoon uses every smile, smirk and eye gesture as tools to craft his character.

In her role as Sister Aloysius, Irene Ziegler gives a world-class performance that paints a vivid picture of a woman who is uncomfortable with change, a woman whose personal beliefs move her to sit in judgment even when evidence is lacking. Ziegler gives a master class in how to use every raised eyebrow, voice inflection, humorous line and pursed lip to give insight into the character. Her performance is brilliant from beginning to end.

Maggie Roop (Sister James) convincingly shows us the character's innocence, enthusiasm, confusion and hesitancy in judging Father Flynn. She embodies the internal conflict that causes her to question the honesty of Father Flynn and also Sister Aloysius and personifies the doubt that is the essence of the play.

Even though her role is smaller than the other three characters, Katherine Louis, who plays the mother of the young black student, channels the desperation of a woman whose only concern is getting her child through school at any cost. She handles the character's surprising revelation with the strength of a woman who is only concerned with survival.

The play's lighting design by Lynne M. Hartman and scenic design by Phil Hayes are as detailed as the character's actions, bringing another layer of realism to the play.

The superbly acted play is perfect for Acts of Faith. It provokes thought and conversation not only about the play, but also about the doubt that every human experiences at some point in life.

"Doubt: A Parable" runs through March 22 at Barksdale Theater . Tickets are $38, with $3 discount for seniors, students and Ukrop's cardholders. For tickets, call Barksdale Theatre's Box Office at 282-2620 or purchase tickets online at www.barksdalerichmond.org.