Just how powerful was the Broadway production of DOUBT?

Bored almost to tears.

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It was exhilarating, more from the brilliant performance by Cherry Jones, Brian F. O'Byrne and Adriane Lenox than the play itself.

I still maintain, without the use of hyperbole, that Cherry Jones gave one of the best performances I have ever seen in any medium. Her performance still gives me goosebumps when I think about it.

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The entire play is just such a thrill, no matter how many times you've seen it. It's a great feeling, to be part of an audience that's leaning on every single word that's been written.

And now one question: Was anyone else bothered by Brien F. O'Byrne's almost-cartoonishly over-the-top Bronx accent (the opening of the play: silence... "WHAT DO YAO DOOO... WHEN YOOR NAAHT SUUUWRAH?!?!!")

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StickToPriest, those are my thoughts exactly.

I think I had an idiot grin on my face the whole time Cherry Jones was onstage. Not because she was funny (though she sometimes was) but just because I was so thrilled and delighted at what I was seeing.

It was a very good production with crisp, rich, bold dialogue that really cut right to the chase and cut deep. I wouldn't say I was blown away by it (I actually thought RABBIT HOLE was a better play and deserved the Tony) but it was still a very memorable night at the theater.

And, of course, the performances couldn't have been better. Lenox and Jones were just brilliant and that final confrontation between Jones and O'Byrne is forever etched in my mind.

It was very powerful but not perfect...but it did exhilarate me and leave me thinking for days...not just thinking about the production but about my life and the world around me, something very rare for a play to achieve.

Updated On: 1/16/09 at 04:11 PM

"I actually thought RABBIT HOLE was a better play and deserved the Tony"

RABBIT HOLE was the year after DOUBT. THE HISTORY BOYS won the year that RABBIT HOLE was nominated.

But THE PILLOWMAN was nominated the same year as DOUBT. I think I would have voted for THE PILLOWMAN. As I said before, the power of DOUBT came more from the electrifying performances.

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Cherry Jones most certainly gave Doubt that extra edge. The first mention of her name in this thread gave me goosebumps just seeing it. Remembering her performance easily allows me to recall why Doubt won Best Play. It is a very tight show itself and I could see why the committee would have voted for it considering that the text is what was nominated in that category and not the cast- the play itself was great too. But personally speaking, The Pillowman was a better play even with its imperfections.

Someone was bored with Eileen Atkins onstage in front of them? Brain cannot comprehend this... O_o

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I saw it in L.A., but I saw 3/4 of the Broadway cast.

The play was great, but actually got BETTER afterward. Those unanswered questions that linger and fester and create the impact of what you just saw.

Cherry Jones was, is, and will always be a MARVEL in my eyes. I love to watch her work. I remember thinking she had submerged herself into this strange, compelling character that reached right across the rows of seats and grabbed me. And shook me. It didn't hurt that I was sitting 7th row, center either. I saw everything. I was someone in a tree.

I first saw Cherry in NY in "The Heiress." She's a very rare actress that manages to be completely accessible playing characters that aren't accessible at all. Not an easy task. Not remotely. Cherry can command an audience, with the simple tone of her voice. The way she gestures or emphasizes ... or doesn't. She "plays" the audience, the way a musician plays an instrument. It really is a wonder to watch. And I've only experienced a few performers in my day who have been able to do that.

Geraldine Page
Yul Brynner
Harvey (yes THAT Harvey) Fierstein

A few others, but VERY few.

They are bigger than the material. They are "Broadway STARS."

Back to "Doubt" ... I actually thought the balance of the play was better than the film. It left much to the imagination as to what happened, and I didn't mind that in the least. I have an imagination, and I used it.

The film was a little too presentational and demonstrative for my liking, but I still thought it worked well enough and was quite effective.

I wasn't "on the edge of my seat" while I watched this play, but I was involved, concerned, and ultimately smacked in the face by my own "doubts" about humanity, goodness, faith, and, above all, "righteousness."

It made me think hard for many days after.

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best12bars you have no idea the amount of jealousy i have toward you because you saw her in the heiress. I think of her as this lump of clay that morphs to each role. She may just be the best stage actress currently alive. BTW what did you think of that production? I am big fans of Philip Bosco and Michael Cumspy.

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How was Heather Goldenhersh in it?

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Sharp, riveting, a suckerpunch of a play that lingered with you long after.

The movie drained all of that out, taking its sweet time to linger over every pointless detail of Shanley fussy direction.

Cut 30 minutes out of the film and you've have the play, which was stunning.