Doubt March 23 Matinee
I would go back to see this in a heartbeat if for no other reason but the outstanding, tremendously outstanding, performances of Cherry Jones and Brian F. O’Byrne. Both are revelations and are two of the finest actors I’ve had the privilege of seeing on stage.
Miss Jones’ performance is nearly impossible to put into words. She possesses a quality that makes every line she utter and every breath she takes absolutely riveting. She exudes stage presence. Her Sister Aloysius is a stern, cold woman, yet Miss Jones piles on layer after layer so that you know this woman’s past and you know her inner workings like the back of your hand. Miss Jones has a way of letting you know what Sister Aloysius is going to do, and why she is going to do it, without taking away any of the suspense. I really can’t put her performance into words other than saying it was exhilarating, breathtaking, stunning, heartwrenching and glorious. Turner was good, but Cherry Jones is a goddess onstage. I’d give the Tony to Jones over Turner without hesitation. Her final line of the play possessed so much heart and passion, it reduced much of the audience to tears.
O’Byrne is another actor who I have admired for quite some time, but had not yet had a chance to see. His Father Flynn is a magnificent blend of self-confidence and immense insecurity. You see the base of this man become slowly and powerfully eroded by the actions of Sister Aloysius. O’Byrne gives a perfect amount of ambiguity to the character while still making his quote-end quote “downfall” devastating to watch if for no other reason but O’Byrne’s sheer humaneness and passion. Despite what he did or didn’t do, O’Byrne lets you see past this man’s past into his heart. And his two monologues, given as sermons in Church, are wonderfully delivered.
I had a hard time deciding what I think of Heather Goldenhersh’s Sister James. Goldenhersh exudes this naïve tenderness and sweetness that suits the character, but her line delivery is so awkward throughout much of the show. I really don’t know what to make of it, but I think it was great at a few points but mostly mediocre. She doesn’t detract much from the production, but certainly adds very little if anything at all.
Adriane Lenox is magnificent in her one scene as Mrs. Muller. It amazed how much subtext and emotion and spirit she could put into one scene. She truly broke my heart and received a much-deserved long ovation at her exit.
The play itself is tricky to pinpoint. While it is not by any means a bad play, it is actually quite good, I didn’t see why is the frontrunner for the Pulitzer. It’s very suspenseful and a deep look into what is morality and what is truth, but what truly elevated this production to the heights it achieved was not the text, but the amazing performances of Jones and O’Byrne.
But just one of their performances is worth the price of admission by a long shot. They are extraordinary.
After the show I waited to meet Miss Jones, and I was told she was giving an interview and a photo session but she would be out eventually. Well, I waited and waited in the freezing cold rain and slush for what ended up being two and a half hours. (I’m not crazy, just persistent. Okay, I’m a little crazy)
Well, after two and a half hours and she still hadn’t come out I opened the stage door and talked to the stage door manger who paged her and told her I was still waiting. She came down in about five minutes and was SO apologetic and sooooo sweet. We talked for about twenty or so minutes about everything from the play to Tonya Pinkins to Sondheim to how I got into theatre to Victoria Clark to the Tonys. It was great and she couldn’t have been kinder. I took a picture with her and I asked her to sign my Playbill and she practically wrote an essay on it.
I am in love with this woman. She is amazing on stage and in person.
"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
