Title: Doubt, a Parable
Author: John Patrick Shanley
First published April 26, 2005
58 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781559362764 (ISBN10: 1559362766)
Rating: 4.1
Overview
John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt, a Parable is a gripping drama that cleverly weaves together an old-fashioned detective drama with modern-day issues. Set in a 1964 Bronx Catholic school, the play follows a determined woman as she grapples with conscience and uncertainty when faced with concerns about one of her male colleagues.
The play’s thought-provoking ambiguity and empathetic portrayal of all sides make it a must-see production. Shanley, a prolific playwright and Academy Award-winning author, brings his signature sharp writing and attention to detail to this powerful play that has been hailed as one of the best of the year.
About the Author
John Patrick Shanley, a New York City native, was raised by a telephone operator mom and meat-packer dad in The Bronx. After attending New York University, Shanley became a member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre.
Shanley’s script for the 1987 film, Moonstruck, earned him the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.
In 1990, Shanley directed his own script for Joe Versus the Volcano and even composed two songs for the movie: “Marooned Without You” and “The Cowboy Song.”
Shanley was honored with a spot on the Bronx Walk of Fame in 2004.
The year 2005 brought more success for Shanley with his play, Doubt: A Parable, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Drama Desk Award and Tony Award for Best Play. Shanley’s foreword is also featured in The Fourth Wall, a book of photographs by Amy Arbus that includes Doubt: A Parable.
Shanley went on to direct a film adaptation of Doubt in 2008, starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams.
Editoral Review
Doubt, a Parable by John Patrick Shanley, first published in 2005, is a complex and layered piece that deals with issues of faith, power, and justice. Shanley, who is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter, is known for his ability to capture the nuance and complexity of human relationships and emotions on stage and screen.
Doubt, a Parable is a masterful work that explores these themes in a suspenseful and gripping manner. The play’s setting is a Catholic school in the Bronx in 1964, where Sister Aloysius, the principal, becomes suspicious of the new priest, Father Flynn, for his close relationship with a male student.
As Sister Aloysius begins to investigate Father Flynn’s behavior, she becomes more convinced of his guilt, while Father Flynn vehemently denies any wrongdoing. The play is a tight and focused examination of the two characters’ conflicting worldviews, and their struggle for power and control.
One of the strengths of Shanley’s writing is his ability to create fully realized and complex characters. Sister Aloysius, who is stubborn and unyielding in her beliefs, is a formidable opponent for Father Flynn, who is charismatic and charming but hides a dark past.
Their scenes together crackle with tension and suspense, as the audience is left to wonder who is telling the truth. The play’s themes of doubt and ambiguity are particularly resonant in today’s society, where issues of power and justice are often murky and complex.
Shanley’s writing captures the complexity of these issues and raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of faith and morality. One of the play’s few weaknesses is its limited scope.
Because the play is focused on only two characters, there are times when it feels a bit claustrophobic. However, this is a minor quibble, as Shanley’s writing is so masterful that he manages to keep the audience fully engaged throughout the play’s runtime.
Overall, Doubt, a Parable is a thrilling and thought-provoking play that is sure to leave its audience with plenty to discuss after the curtain falls. It is a work of great insight and intelligence, tackling complex issues with nuance and complexity.
I would highly recommend this play to anyone who enjoys intelligent, thought-provoking drama. It is a must-see for theater lovers and anyone interested in exploring issues of faith, power, and justice.
4 out of 5 stars.
