Doubt, A Parable

Set in the St. Nicholas Church School in The Bronx during the fall of 1964, Father Flynn asks the audience, "What do you do when you're not sure?" His colleague, Sister Aloysius, is an old-school nun who insists that her students not be coddled: "Every easy choice today will have its consequence tomorrow. "Flynn, following the Second Vatican Council's directive, believes the clergy should be more accessible to the parish and be thought of "as members of their family." These two schools of thought come head to head when Aloysius suspects Flynn of "interfering" with Donald Muller, the school's first black student. Sister James, an inexperienced but enthusiastic young nun who has been an indirect witness to the dealings between Flynn and Muller, and Donald's mother, Mrs. Muller, provide two more perspectives on the central conflict. Sides are chosen and wounds are inflicted, and somewhere amongst the mayhem is the truth.

Set in the St. Nicholas Church School in The Bronx during the fall of 1964, Father Flynn asks the audience, 'What do you do when you're not sure? His colleague, Sister Aloysius, is an old-school nun who insists that her students not be coddled: Every easy choice today will have its consequence tomorrow.' Flynn, following the Second Vatican Council's directive, believes the clergy should be more accessible to the parish and be thought of as members of their family.' These two schools of thought come head to head when Aloysius suspects Flynn of interfering' with Donald Muller, the school's first black student. Sister James, an inexperienced but enthusiastic young nun who has been an indirect witness to the dealings between Flynn and Muller, and Donald's mother, Mrs. Muller, provide two more perspectives on the central conflict. Sides are chosen and wounds are inflicted, and somewhere amongst the mayhem is the truth.

Playwright John Patrick Shanley studied educational theater at N.Y.U. before making a name for himself as a writer with his first published play Danny and the Deep Blue Sea. His big breakthrough came in 1987 with the screenplay for the romantic comedy Moonstruck, which won Shanley his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. His other early screenplays include the episodic comedy Five Corners and the offbeat crime comedy The January Man. In 1990 he made his directorial debut by filming his script for Joe Versus the Volcano, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. In 2005, he received the Pulitzer Prize, the Drama Desk Award, and the Tony Award for Doubt.

Doubt is directed by Albert Cremin. Mr. Cremin has worked regularly as an actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, director, producer, teacher, coach, and designer. As a company member of Plays for Living in NY, Albert played many roles in their list of touring educational productions, stage managed, directed, and was production manager for numerous plays on tour. He made his equity debut in PA playing Felix in Neil Simon's The Odd Couple and performed at The Lark Studio Theatre, Manhattan, in his one-man show, Introducing Mr. Charles Dickens, in which he portrays 35 characters, including the great writer.

A veteran actor from Boston, he received his B.A. and M.A. in Theater Education from Emerson College. In the New England premiere of Terrence McNally's Love! Valour! Compassion! for Speakeasy Stage, he played the dual role of John/James, portrayed Mendy in another McNally play, The Lisbon Traviata, for Triangle Theatre Co., Boston and Franz Woyzeck in Bruckner's unfinished work, Woyzeck.

He has taught and directed theatre on every level, as creative dramatics specialist with Pre K-12 to College Professor and Theatre Department Chair. In addition to private coaching, Mr. Cremin has taught numerous classes in Improvisation Technique at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He has directed many musical and dramatic productions over the years including The Visit with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

Cast

Heidi Harger (Sister James) was seen most recently in Michael R. McGuire's dysfunctional family drama Sometimes I Feel Like I Missed the Train. Other professional roles include Georgie in The Country Girl at the Majestic Theater in Massachusetts; Sara Jane Moore in Assassins at Spirit of Broadway in Norwich; and Rosalind in As You Like It, Olivia in Twelfth Night, and Cassandra in Agamemnon with Flock Theater in New London. Her New York credits include Six Characters in Search of an Author, Elvis is Dead, and various original works with the Weird Sisters writing group.

Emma Palzere-Rae (Sister Aloysius) has over 20 years experience working in all areas of professional theater including performance, artistic administration, playwriting, and producing. Ms. Palzere-Rae worked extensively in the New York City entertainment community for over fifteen years, most recently serving as the Artistic Director of Plays for Living. As an actress, Ms. Palzere-Rae has appeared Off-Broadway, at regional and stock theaters, and has been spotted in various films, commercials and soaps over the years. Locally, she has appeared at the Centennial Theater in Simsbury, and NewGate Theatre in Providence. As a producer, Ms. Palzere-Rae is the founder of Be Well Productions which tours several critically-acclaimed one-woman plays to schools, libraries, senior communities, civic organizations and professional theaters.

Camilla Ross (Mrs. Muller) is the current president of the Emerson Theater Collaborative, drawing on over 20 years of theatrical experience, ranging from commercials to regional theater. She is the theatrical advisor and acting coach for the SPAG Players at Three Rivers Community College in Norwich, CT. She sings with the Connecticut Lyric Opera of New London, and was seen locally in The Laramie Project, directed by Van Farrier. Camilla received her B.S. in performing Arts from Emerson College in Boston.

Stephen Daniel Sherman (Father Flynn) appeared off-Broadway in Tony N' Tina's Wedding. Touring productions include The Who's Tommy, Aladdin, and Cheap Sunglasses. Stephen was seen last month in Madhatter Production's inaugural mounting of Chicken Bone Beach in NYC. He is also a member of Emerging Artists Theatre.

Production Staff

• Executive ProducerLisa Giordano
• ProducerVic Panciera