A NO NUN-SENSE PERFORMANCE

  For the next several weeks, Chicago theatergoers have the privilege to see one of the greatest stage actresses of our time in one of the greatest plays written in the last two decades.The actress I speak of is Cherry Jones who is currently touring the country in her Tony Award winning role as Sister Aloysius in John Patrick Shanley's 2005 Tony winning Best Play, Doubt.

Doubt is a 90 minute powerhouse that revolves around allegations of misconduct by a priest on a Catholic schools first African-American student and the hierarchy of the church in the early 1960's.Shanley's writing is genius, leaving the audience discussing the outcome of the play for days after you leave the theatre.

I first saw Doubt on Broadway last April, with Jones' replacement, Eileen Atkins, of Upstairs/Downstairs fame.Though Atkins was closer to the age that Sister Aloysius is portrayed in the play, this role clearly belongs to Ms. Jones.She commands the stage for every scene she is in (and that is all but two).Jones' makes the harsh Sister Aloysius a sympathetic character in the end it makes us question our own perceived truths.Her comic timing is impeccable and in her cold stare could put fear of God in anyone.

 Sister Aloysius' nemesis is Father Flynn, played confidently by Chris McGarry.Though their scenes together are captivating to watch it is the scene between Sister Aloysius and the child's mother, played by Caroline Stefanie Clay which is simply riveting, and one of the best scenes ever written in modern plays.Clay goes head to head Jones and is another acting triumph.

 Rounding out the cast of four is Lisa Joyce whose Sister James sets the plot in motion when she reluctantly tells her superior of her suspicions of Father Flynn. Joyce is much more grounded and realistic then her New York predecessor, Jena Malone.

 Doubt hits every emotion, and not in a condescending way to the audience.It is a piece that makes you have a conversation after you leave the theatre on what actually happened and with that conversation you will find there are no right or wrong answers, which is the point of the play.Nothing in life is black and white, there is always room for some doubt.

  Doubt plays through January 28, 2007 at the LaSalle Bank Theatre.  For more information log onto www.BroadwayInChicago.Com or www.StageDoorChicago.com

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