03/25/08
Doubt: A Parable
Actors Visit Sisters of Charity

Cast of “Doubt: A Parable” (left to right) Caitlin O’Connell, Director Wendy C. Goldberg, Ted Deasy, Joy Hooper, Makela Spielman

DELHI TOWNSHIP, OHIO – Several months ago the cast, crew and director of the current Playhouse in the Park production of Doubt: A Parable visited with Sisters Barbara Hagedorn, Judy Metz and Monica Gundler to learn about the mission of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, life in community, and to glean information to enhance their roles in the upcoming stage production. They returned last week for lunch with Sisters and staff to discuss their successful run at the Playhouse.

The play is about a nun, a Sister of Charity of New York, and principal of a Catholic elementary school in the Bronx in 1964. The conflict occurs when the nun suspects the parish priest of molesting a child. Director Wendy C. Goldberg explains in her program notes: “Like a parable, the play’s tightly constructed narrative aims to teach a lesson about both the power of suspicion and moral certainty.”

Caitlin O’Connell who plays Sister Aloysius, the rigid school principal intent on “taking down” Fr. Flynn, said of her role, “I ground myself in the character before each performance. I find new moments of discovery after each performance and the play becomes richer for me each time.”

The accused priest, Father Flynn played by Ted Deasy, is a likeable character, sincere, a guy who treats kids with fairness and in a spirit of camaraderie. Or he’s a menacing pedophile, depending on how one views the play. Deasy said, “I try to get rid of stuff in my mind. I try to get out of my own way when preparing for the role on stage. Sometimes after the performance people will want to tell me their life stories.”

The cast was delighted with their affiliation with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in preparation for the play. “They provided balance to a play that generates strong reaction,” said director Goldberg.

 

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