UMW Theatre Opens 2014-15 Season with “Doubt”

The University of Mary Washington Theatre opened its 2014-15 season with “Doubt,” a Tony Award-winning drama by John Patrick Shanley.

Photo Credit: Geoff Greene, Father Flynn, played by Stephen Nickens ‘15

Sister James, played by Catherine O’Meara ‘17, and Sister Aloysius, played by Catalina Ruiz de Gamboa ‘15

Father Flynn, played by Stephen Nickens ‘15

Sister James, played by Catherine O’Meara ‘17

Sister James, played by Catherine O’Meara ‘17, and Sister Aloysius, played by Catalina Ruiz de Gamboa ‘15

Sister Aloysius, played by Catalina Ruiz de Gamboa ‘15

Performances are taking place Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 28 and Oct. 4-5 at 2 p.m. in Klein Theatre, located in duPont Hall on the university’s Fredericksburg campus. Tickets are $18 for standard admission and $16 for students, senior citizens and military.

Set in 1964, “Doubt” is a drama that takes place in a Catholic church and school in Bronx, New York. The play focuses on the confrontations between Sister Aloysius, the rigid school principal and Father Flynn, the charismatic parish priest. Tensions rise as Sister Aloysius becomes increasingly suspicious of Father Flynn’s interest in one of her students, and the seed of doubt is sown when the Father vehemently opposes the allegations.

“Doubt” originally opened in 2004 off-Broadway at the Manhattan Theatre Club. In 2005, the production transferred to the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway where it ran for 525 performances. In the same year, the play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play, and the Tony Award for Best Play. The drama toured nationally in 2007 and was subsequently turned into an Academy Award-nominated film that starred Meryl Streep as Sister Aloysius and Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Father Flynn.

The university’s performance of “Doubt” is directed by Helen Housley, associate professor of theatre. Scenic and lighting designs are by visiting assistant professor Niffer Pflager and associate professor Julie Hodge, respectively. Costume design is by associate professor Kevin McCluskey.

For further information and to purchase tickets, contact the Klein Theatre Box Office at (540) 654-1111 or visit umw.tix.com.