TriArts Sharon Playhouse to Present DOUBT, 7/11-14

TriArts Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Alice Bemand Executive Director and John Simpkins Artistic Director, is proud to announce the opening of the theater's new 99-seat Stage 2 performance space in the Bok Gallery, with the inaugural production of John Patrick Shanley's Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Doubt, A Parable from July 11 through 14.

"TriArts new Stage 2 performance space will lend itself to chamber musicals as well as plays that thrive on the intimacy of a smaller theatre setting," said Artistic Director John Simpkins. "In addition, our Stage 2 will allow us the flexibility in programming more new work. We are striving to both provide a space for writers to showcase their developing pieces - and diversify our production offerings with smaller shows that we previously have been unable to program because of the size of our main theatre."

Directed by Kate Galvin, the award-winning play Doubt marks the first drama presented at Tri-Arts since 2001. A riveting clash of conscience and conviction turns the stuff of headlines into exquisite, engrossing drama. When she suspects a popular and dedicated priest of misconduct with a student, Sister Aloysius takes matters into her own hands. But doubt thwarts all assumptions in this ambiguous mystery, clouding truth with complexity, and righteousness with remorse.

Doubt stars Noel Desiato as Sister Aloysius, who returns to TriArts having previously performed the role of Katharine Hepburn in Tea at Five. Making their TriArts debuts are Kyle Fennie as Father Flynn, Lisha McKoy as Mrs. Muller, and Angela Smith as Sister James.

It's 1964, St. Nicholas School in the Bronx. A charismatic priest, Father Flynn, is trying to upend the schools' strict customs, which have long been fiercely guarded by Sister Aloysius Beauvier, the iron-gloved Principal who believes in the power of fear and discipline. The winds of political change are sweeping through the community, and indeed, the school has just accepted its first black student, Donald Muller. But when Sister James, a hopeful innocent, shares with Sister Aloysius her guilt-inducing suspicion that Father Flynn is paying too much personal attention to Donald, Sister Aloysius sets off on a personal crusade to unearth the truth and to expunge the priest from the school. Now, without a shard of proof besides her moral certainty, Sister Aloysius locks into a battle of wills with Father Flynn which threatens to tear apart the community with irrevocable consequences.

Doubt is recommended for mature audiences. The performance runs 90 minutes with no intermission.

The TriArts Sharon Playhouse is located at 49 Amenia Road (Route 343). Performances of Doubt are Thursday, July 11 at 7pm; Friday, July 12 at 8pm; Saturday, July 13 at 2pm and 8pm; and Sunday, July 14 at 5pm. Tickets are $35. For tickets or more information about the theatre and season, please visit www.triarts.net or call (860) 364-SHOW (7469).

Noel Desiato (Sister Aloysius) is honored to return to TriArts after having portrayed Katherine Hepburn in the one-woman show Tea at Five; which also toured surrounding Theatres throughout CT. Other recent credits include Nancy in the play SeaScape, Jean Brodie in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Mrs. Venable in Suddenly Last Summer, Medea inMedea, Reggie Flutty in The Laramie Project, Miss Sook in Holiday Memories, and Nurse Ratchet in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. While Noel was in New York City she was a member of Micheal Moriarty's Theatre Co. Potters Field. And as a student with Stella Adler, she performed in numerous plays in local Theatres in New York and regionally; one being Lizzie in The Rainmaker, Perfect Analysis Given by a Parrot and Bertha in Hello From Bertha.

Kyle Fennie (Father Flynn) is making his first appearance on the TriArts stage. He would like to take a moment to thank Kate and everyone at TriArts for the wonderful opportunity. His recent credits include Sergent Trotter in Agatha Christie's The Mouse Trap at The Walnut Street Theatre, and MacBeth in William Shakespeare's MacBeth at The Electric Theatre Company. His fight choreography credits include Crazy for You, MacBeth, Beauty and the Beast, and Oklahoma among others.

Lisha McKoy (Mrs. Muller) is a graduate of Webster University Conservatory of Theatre Arts' Musical Theatre Program. Her favorite Regional and tour credits include: Sweet Charity (Stages, St. Louis), The Gingham Dog, Two Rooms, Sexual Perversity In Chicago(Kitchen Theatre Company) and Hair (European Tour). Recent NYC Credits: Normacly (Theatre East), The Father (The Pearl Theatre), Windmills: Catastrophe (Midtown Intl Theatre Festival). She can be seen performing regularly with the sketch comedy groupAmerican Candy in Brooklyn. Lisha recently appeared in the short film Sketch and in short films and television in NYC.

Angela Smith (Sister James) is a Philadelphia-based performer. She is excited and grateful to be making her debut with TriArts! Angela has performed recently in Philadelphia with Luna Theater Company as a witch, an apocolypse survivor, an avatar, and a time-traveler. Her favorite roles include: Miss Julie with InVersion, Lady M., Lady Percy, and King Henry IV with the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, and Katherina in The Taming of the Shrew,which she performed in Italy with Teatro Delle Due. Next up, she'll be playing Harriet Smith/ Mrs. Elton in Emma at the Lantern Theatre.

Kate Galvin (Director) TriArts debut. Recent projects include The Odd Couple (Flat Rock Playhouse), Vincent in Brixton (Walnut Street Theatre) Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson (11th Hour Theatre Company), Princess Ida (Univ. of the Arts), Devotedly, Sincerely Yours (Philly Fringe) and Proof (Walnut/National Tour). Kate was Casting Director at the Walnut for many years and is now a member of 11th Hour Theatre Company in Philadelphia. She is co-creator of the musical Austentatious, which has been produced in London, Philadelphia, New York and Calgary, and is published by Playscripts, Inc. Kate holds degrees in Musical Theatre from NYU and Goldsmiths College - University of London. www.kategalvin.com

The acclaimed 2005 Broadway production of Doubt inspired a popular 2008 film adaptation, Doubt, starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis. All four received Academy Award nominations for their roles at the 81st Academy Awards.

The TriArts Sharon Playhouse is located at 49 Amenia Road (Route 343). Performances are Wednesday through Sunday (performance times vary). Season Single Tickets ($15-$47) to the 2013 season are on sale now. Subscriptions run $40 - $110. For more information about the theatre and season, please visit www.triarts.net or call (860) 364-SHOW (7469).

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