Doubt

DOUBT
A PARABLE

BY JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY
DIRECTED BY KATHLEEN GILPATRICK

February 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 2011

 

 

DOUBT was presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York

 

poster art by Hal Harder


THE CAST

FATHER BRENDAN FLYNN-Andy Davis

SISTER ALYUSIUS BEAUVIER-Amy Woods

SISTER JAMES-Katie Mannle

MRS. MULLER-Lori Strode

PLACE-St. Nicholas, a Catholic church and school in the Bronx, New York

TIME-1964

PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer...Chad McDonald
Director...Kathleen Gilpatrick
Stage Manager...Jeremy Crow
Stage Manager...Liv Sinclair
Technical Director...Brandon Walls
Production Assistant...Kim Frick-Welker
Costume Coordinator...Kim Frick-Welker
Costume Alterations...Liv Sinclair,
Kim Frick-Welker
Scenic Concept...Kathleen Gilpatrick
Lighting Design...Brandon Walls
Light Board...Matthew Wilson
Sound Board...Kim Frick-Welker
Paint Crew...Kim Frick-Welker,
Randi Finger, Roger Long
Props...Kim Frick Welker, cast
Poster & Program Art...Hal Harder
Box Office Manager...Steve Gwilt
House Manager...Kim Frick-Welker
Program Layout & Edit...Steve Gwilt
Photography...Kim Frick-Welker
C.A.S.T. Coordinator....Kim Frick-Welker
Ushers...Linda, Randi, Barbara, Dan, Philip,
Crystal, Toshiro, Kyle, Jean, Hannah, Sarah,
Arline, Bev, Jim, Joanne, Sharon, Mendy, Jeff

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Out on a Limb Productions & K.G.
Backdoor Playhouse & Mark Creter
Wesley Arena Theatre & Charles Long
Zach Ludwig
Linda Youmans
Amanda Dyer

Kathleen Gilpatrick (Director) is an Irish Catholic girl from Massachusetts and is happy to be back at CPAC directing DOUBT. “Thank you Chad for asking me and always welcoming me back home.”  Kathy started her career here about twenty years ago selling popcorn and tickets. Soon she wormed her way into a directing gig and the rest, as they say, is history.  Kathy formerly served as Director of Theatre for the Wesley Foundation  and is currently celebrating the twenty-year anniversary of her production company Out On A Limb Productions www.outonalimbproductions.com .  Thank you to my talented and devoted cast and crew for making this such a wonderful experience. To the CPAC staff, “You make my life so much easier and I thank you with all my heart.” To my beautiful family, Michael, Lindsey, Chris, Christina, Ana, Scott, Allie, Margaret and Madison, you are my everything! Thank you for loving and supporting me.  “Hey Marge – this one is for you!”

Andy Davis (Father Brendan Flynn) began acting in his native state of Virginia.  He received a theatre degree from Samford University after garnering awards in both acting and directing.  As a professional actor he toured in numerous productions for the A.D. Players in Houston.  In New York City he has performend in productions for the Heights Players, Woman Seeking Theatre Company, and The American Theatre of Actors.  He has directed several Actor's Equity Union showcases and produced/directed the original production of "Probably Nothing" at the 78th Street Theatre Lab.  He also wrote and acted in "Figure of Father" at Center Stage in Manhattan.  Most recently, he revived a two-actor touring production of the childrens classic, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe".  Andy is pleased to be joining this talented group of people for CPAC's Backstage Series.

Amelie Woods (Sister Aloysius) grew up in the theatre, having performed in her first play at the age of 6, and worked as a professional actress for many years. Favorite roles throughout her career include Sally Bowles in “Cabaret”, Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady”, Annie Sullivan in “The Miracle Worker”, and Truvy in “Steel Magnolias”.  Her last appearance on the stage of the Performing Arts Center was her portrayal of Gloria in “Grace and Glorie”.  A middle school art teacher, work and family have been Amelie’s focus for the last several years.  Now that her children are grown, she is pleased to have an opportunity to perform again, and extends her gratitude to Kathy Gilpatrick for helping to make that happen.  Amelie has lived in Cookeville for 25 years with her husband, Rick, where they have raised their children, Emily, Elliot and Ethan.

Katie Mannle (Sister James) is excited to be in her third Backstage Series production having previously appeared in "The Good Doctor" (2010) and "Escanaba in da Moonlight" (2006-7). No stranger to Cookeville theatre, Katie has also appeared on the CPAC Mainstage in Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" (Zaneeta Shinn), at TTU's Backdoor Playhouse, the Wesley Arena Theatre, and in the Shakespeare in the Park Series--most recently in the 2010 production of "The Merry Wives of Windsor" (Anne Page). Katie is married to Patrick Mannle who will be performing in "Death of a Salesman" at TTU's BDPH in Spring 2011. They have a two and a half year old daughter, Meredith Jane, who loves theatre, her lambie, and playing at Discovery Depot. Katie would like to thank: Kathy--for giving her the opportunity to work with such a talented ensemble; Patrick and Meredith--for being the sweetest family ever; and you, the patrons--"Thanks for Supporting the Arts!"

Lori Strode (Mrs. Muller) is thrilled beyond belief to be in her first Backstage Series production having never performed before.  Lori's theater experience has been limited to enjoying several productions on Broadway, at TPAC, CCPH and of course, CPAC!  Most recently she enjoyed seeing "Wicked" at the Orpheum in Memphis with her favorite 14 year old daughter Jazmyn Loraine.  Jazmyn is a freshman at CHS and shares her mother's love of theater.  In addition to Jazmyn,  Lori's precious family includes her husband of 15 years, Ronald and her favorite 7 year old daughter, Iris Rebecca.  Ronald is a driver for UPS in Sparta, TN.  Iris is in second grade at Prescott South Elementary School where Lori is employed as a school counselor.  Lori would like to thank: her sweet husband for supporting me every time I try something new, my precious daughters for tolerating each other while I was at rehearsals, my mom, Loraine Jackson, for watching Iris when they could tolerate each other no more, my close friends for their encouragement and kind words during this new endeavor, Amy Woods for all of her encouraging words, support, guidance and friendship throughout this process, and last but certainly not least,  Kathy Gilpatrick for taking a risk on a "newbie" and allowing me the opportunity to be a part of this production.

Jeremy Crow (Stage Manager) is excited to be back in the theatre after a three year break and excited to be doing his first show at CPAC. He was extremely excited when he heard DOUBT was being produced at CPAC, and even more excited to be asked to stage manage the production. Jeremy wants to thank the cast and crew for a great experience and for creating a beautiful piece of theatre. He also wants to thank his friends and family for putting up with him while he took a leave of absence from your world to do this show.

.
Liv Sinclair (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be working with some new people to this stage and to once again be working with Kathy and Jeremy.  This show has been a lot of fun.  As always love to my theatre family for helping me with my crazy obsession and to my two precious nieces and my nephew on the way.  Enjoy the show.

THE STORY: In this brilliant and powerful drama, Sister Aloysius, a Bronx school principal, takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with one of the male students.

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY: Winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award. "All the elements come invigoratingly together like clockwork in John Patrick Shanley's provocative new play, DOUBT, a gripping story of suspicion cast on a priest's behavior that is less about scandal than about fascinatingly nuanced questions of moral certainty. Something rare for this season: a laudable new American play." —Variety. "#1 show of the year. How splendid it feels to be trusted with such passionate, exquisite ambiguity unlike anything we have seen from this prolific playwright so far. Blunt yet subtle, manipulative but full of empathy for all sides, the play is set in 1964 but could not be more timely. In just ninety fast-moving minutes, Shanley creates four blazingly individual people. DOUBT is a lean, potent drama…passionate, exquisite, important and engrossing." —NY Newsday. "A beautifully balanced drama. Shanley is a writer working at the top of his craft, making the most of a muted but evocative palette in the pursuit of truth's shadows. Here, for the first time in a long time, is a play that is about something." —Chicago Tribune. "An eloquent and provocative investigation of truth and consequences. A gripping mystery, tightly written." —Time Out New York.

Director’s Notes
 What do you do when you are in Doubt? That is the theme for John Patrick Shanley’s beautifully written play.  In the Preface he says, “It is Doubt (so often experienced initially as weakness) that changes things. When a man feels unsteady, when he falters, when hard-won knowledge evaporates before our eyes, he’s on the verge of growth...” “Doubt is nothing less than an opportunity to reenter the Present.”  As I directed this play it was these words that challenged me - that lead me.

Like Shanley, I was raised Catholic in the Northeast (Massachusetts) in the 60’s, a time very different than today.  Stanley’s describes it as “some kind of vast puberty” the world was going through, and it was.

Being Catholic meant, the power of the Priest and Nun was undeniable. In our house and neighborhood trust was the order of the day, a perfect breeding ground for predators and their faithful lambs. I never witnessed abuse at that level but to this day I carry a fear. The fear we were taught to believe was obedience. I can be transformed into that frightened little girl at the thought of it. Never again in my life would I know that kind of fear which as I grew changed to Doubt.

Despite this I still return to St. Bridget’s every time I visit home.  It is filled with the people I love and friends and family who shared my Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and where I said good-bye to my father.  The Church occupies a place in my heart and got me through some difficult times. It is a piece of home.

But the institution allowed horrendous acts of abuse against children go on for decades and covered it up. For that I can never forgive or forget. Those children lost their innocence and life in the hands of the one person they were told they could trust. How do you ever get over that?  It seems like weekly there is more evidence, more pain.

As a lapsed Catholic I was immediately drawn to Doubt . This powerful story appeals to the writer, director and actor in me.  It is masterfully written and captures the essence of the times.  I gives us a glimpse of a time and what it is like to experience Doubt.

Thank you Chad for allowing me to bring this to the stage.

Peace,
Kathleen Gilpatrick