Piazzaslight ignites DOUBT (11/5/05)

[Piazzaslight]

Posted: 11/5/05 at 11:16pm

OK, Broadwayworlders. This is my first official review of a show! The show I saw tonight was DOUBT, at the Walter Kerr Theatre. By now most of you have seen this new play, and have a lot of opinions on it. I figured I'd give my opinion. OK, on with the review.

The cast was in excellent form, except that Adriane Lenox was out, so we had to see her understudy. Her understudy, however, provided her audience with one of the most moving performances given by an understudy ever. She brought a certain anxiety to the role, and fleshed out her anger real well.

Cherry Jones and Bryan F. O' Byrne were really good, ad rwally sweet after the show, as both signed my program. But that's another story. Cherry deserved that Tony, plain and simple, as did Bryan, but Cherry really stood out for me. Her character was, in my case, and evil and corrupt woman who always wanted her way, and no one would stop her from saying that she was right. She did anything to get her way, even if it meant sinning. This seems to be the season for complex characters, from Magaret in PIAZZA, to Michal in PILLOWMAN, and Sister Aloysious in DOUBT.

Bryan F. O'Byrne's character is, apparantly, a victim of Sister Aloysious. He has to dodge everywhere she is, and he is just trying to do right. Poor guy.

Heather Goldenhearsh was good in her role as the spectator of this warrior battle between the priest and the nun. She wasn't a stand out, though.

Overall, the show was an excellent one that made you think about your opinions on the show. That is a rare thing in a play. There has also been specualtion about if DOUBT was better than PILLOWMAN. I'd have to be on the contrary with most of you. I thought DOUBT was better. You got to love the opinions.

So if you haven't seen this show yet, get your butt down tp the Walter Kerr Theatre and see this amazing, but slow in some parts, drama. It is a classic in the making.

Upcoming reviews: SWEET CHARITY December 9th
THE WOMAN IN WHITE December 11th
SWEENEY TODD ? Don't know when I'll see it.

Updated On: 11/5/05 at 11:16 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/5/05 at 11:22pm

I thought that DOUBT deserved the award, as well.

[safety_in_falsehood]

Posted: 11/5/05 at 11:31pm

Great first-time review! Hmm is Doubt better than the Pillowman? On the nights I went to see it, no. It just seemed that everyone was off a bit, and I don't know why. The story is better than the Pillowman, but I just wasn't feeling the intensity that I wanted from the actors, especially Cherry. I suspect though that when I see Eileen as Sister Aloyscious, I will be blown away.

Who was Adriane's understudy BTW?

[Piazzaslight]

Posted: 11/5/05 at 11:33pm

Caroline Stefanie Clay.

[Songsstresss]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 1:09am

Wow... Your character descriptions perfectly illustrate the point the show is trying to make. I saw things COMPLETELY differently. I would have never described Sister Aloysious as "evial and corrupt." I would say exactly the opposite. Neither analysis is wrong... It's all interpretation. Makes you think!

[QMAN03]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 6:41pm

I must agree with songsstresss, I saw Cherry as a person who just wants to help the childred. But that's why the show is so brilliant. Good review.