Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage Closese Production of DOUBT 4/25

Music Theatre Of Connecticut MainStage will end its production of "Doubt" a Parable by John Patrick Shanley on April 25th. This production marks the Fairfield County professional debut of one of the most celebrated plays of our generation.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Best Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play, John Patrick Shanley's "Doubt" has been hailed as the most compelling and magnificently crafted drama in years. Set against the backdrop of a Bronx Catholic school in 1964, "Doubt" is the story of a strong-minded woman faced with a difficult decision. Should she voice concerns about one of her male colleagues ... even if she's not entirely certain of the truth? "Doubt" ran on Broadway for two years and was made into a motion picture, starring Meryl Streep, which was nominated for five Academy Awards.

Marty Bongfeldt of Bethel plays Sister James. Marty has worked in theatre, film and television with directors including Susan Stroman, Ron Howard and Brian DePalma. She played Tiger Lily opposite Cathy Rigby in the national tour of "Peter Pan," and appeared as Bonnie in "Anything Goes" opposite Van Johnson. Marty has originated roles in many new works produced Off-Broadway, including "A Nervous Splendor," "Madly in Love" directed by Baayork Lee, "A Murder is Foretold," "Hell's Belles" and "The Major and the Minor." Marty was a member of the original Dallas cast of the award-winning musical "Six Women with Brain Death," later performing in the New York premiere production. New York and Regional credits include Ronnie in "Comanche Café & Domino Courts," Doreen in "Gillette" for the American Theatre Festival, Shelby in "Steel Magnolias" at The Plaza Theatre, Amalia in "She Loves Me" at Lyric Stage, Lily St. Regis in "Annie," Pam in "Baby" for MTC MainStage and Carrie in "Carousel" at Casa Mañana Theatre. A long time member of the Theatre Artists Workshop, Marty was seen as Marie in "Come Back, Little Sheba" and as Lydia Languish in "The Rivals."

Lynnette R. Freeman plays Mrs. Muller. She hails from of Ohio, where she grew up doing theatre, dance, and performance from a young age. She graduated with her B.A. from Brown University in Africana Studies with a Focus in Creative Writing and Performance, and received her M.F.A. in Acting from Brown University/ Trinity Rep Conservatory in 2009. Some previous roles include Ruth in "A Raisin In The Sun," Sally Bowles in "Cabaret," Dionyza in "Pericles," Gloria in "Inked Baby" and MrS. Thompson in "The Strangler." She currently is a member of the JamAl Jackson Dance Company.

Jim Schilling of Norwalk plays Father Brendan Flynn. He co-founded MTC in 1987 and has served as teaching artist, Artist in Residence, director, general manager, actor, producer and currently as Director of the School of Performing Arts. Acting credits include John Guare's "A Day For Surprises," "Upper Broadway" at Westport Country Playhouse, "Hamlet" with Tony Roberts, "South Pacific" with Jamie Farr, "The Fantasticks" at the Rich Forum and on MTC's MainStage in "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well...," "Three Guys Naked from the Waist Down," "Yours, Anne" and "It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play." Film credits include "Bullets Over Broadway," "Cadillac Man," "Soapdish" and "Dead Man Walking." He has directed MTC MainStage productions including "Something's Afoot," "Some Enchanted Evening" and "I Do, I Do." Jim is a Blue Ribbon Panelist for the Daytime Emmy Awards and a member of "Who's Who in the American Theatre" from 1991-present.

Katie Sparer of Stratford plays Sister Aloysius Beauvier. On Broadway, Katie stood by for Frances McDormand in the Circle in the Square revival of "Awake and Sing!" Some of her Off-Broadway credits include "A Shayna Maidle" at the Westside Arts, "The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket" at Playwrights' Horizons, "Beside the Seaside" at the Hudson Guild. Katie has performed in Regional Theatres across the country including: ACT, Studio Arena, Alley Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Boston Post Road Stage Company, Rich Forum, Playhouse on the Green, Shakespeare on the Sound, Stratford Festival Theatre, Fairfield Theatre Company. Television credits: "The Sopranos," "Law and Order," "American Playhouse," "The Bronx is Burning," "Candid Camera" and numerous daytime dramas. She just completed an independent film entitled "The Beginning." Katie is a member of the Theatre Artists Workshop and teaches at the Regional Center for the Arts.

"Doubt" is directed by Kevin Connors, MTC MainStage Executive Artistic Director and co-founder of Music Theatre Of Connecticut. Scenic design and stage management by David Heuvelman, lighting design by Graham Kindred and costume design by Diane Vanderkroef. The production is generously sponsored by Shoff Darby Insurance and TD Bank.

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