The Shadow of A Doubt at Ghostlight Ensemble

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2. The Shadow of A Doubt

Set at the turn of the twentieth century, The Shadow of a Doubt, explores the issues surrounding social position, remarriage, the roles of women and euthanasia. Replete with Wharton’s trademark wit and skewering of Gilded Age manners, the play centers around nurse Kate Tredennis, who marries John Derwent, a widower of one of Kate’s former patients and friends. Elevated into society through her marriage, Kate is a model wife and stepmother, but she feels uneasy with her new position and faces constant scrutiny for her lowlier background. Soon, her unease is manifested when a man from her past casts suspicion on Kate and accuses her in the first Mrs. Derwent’s death.

Re-discovered in 2017, The Shadow of A Doubt, was written by novelist Edith Wharton is part of Ghostlight Ensemble's For Your (Re)Consideration series, which explores the works of historically overlooked female writers. It is being produced in conjunction with the Richard H. Driehaus Museum.

The reading with run about 90 minutes with an intermission. A brief talkback will follow.