SOB's Favorite Shows Of The Noughties: #4 - Doubt (2005, Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY)
Introduction: Hard as it is to comprehend that we're already 119 months into this "new" millennium, we are fast approaching the end of its first decade. While we have yet to agree on what exactly we should call the '00s, I'll take a cue from the fine folks at The Times of London and the BBC and henceforth refer to them at the Noughties. With that small introduction, I'm pleased to present my list of plays and musicals that wowed me the most during that time. Out of the hundreds and hundreds of shows I've seen over the last ten years, I give you my countdown of my 25 personal favorite shows of the Noughties. Was there ever any
Doubt that
John Patrick Shanley's extraordinary morality play would appear on my favorites list for the last decade?
Brían F. O'Byrne and Tony-winner
Cherry Jones sparred sensationally as Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius in this compelling drama that left us debating, “Did he or didn’t he?” long after our departure from the theatre.
Heather Goldenhersh and
Adriane Lenox, who won a Tony for her ethically-challenged mother, rounded out this excellent cast.
Superbly constructed by Shanley and directed with exacting precision by
Doug Hughes, it wasn’t hard to understand why
Doubt received the 2005 Tony Award for Best Play along with a Pulitzer Prize.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the new that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post. I paid my own way for this performance.Labels: Adriane Lenox, Brian F. O'Byrne, Broadway, Cherry Jones, Doubt, Doug Hughes, Heather Goldenhersch, John Patrick Shanley, Play, SOB's Favorite Shows Of The Noughties
Relieving My DoubtWhen I saw
John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning
Doubt in March 2005,
I was in complete awe of this completely compelling drama. With the redoubtable
Brían F. O'Byrne as Father Flynn sparring with Tony-winner
Cherry Jones as Sister Aloysius, we were left debating, “Did he or didn’t he?” long after our departure from the theatre.
But upon entering the movie theatre a week ago, I have to confess that I had my doubts as to whether
Shanley's personally directed screenplay could match that live theatrical experience audiences had found so riveting just a few short years ago.
With
Philip Seymour Hoffman and
Meryl Streep now in the leads, I should have known better. Their extraordinary performances were both enthralling and pitch perfect.
My larger concern was whether the silver screen incarnation would give too much away. After all, Shanley's small play only included four principal actors. A film version would by its very nature demand greater context and additional characters, including those who had only been mentioned in the play. Again, my fears were allayed. Yes, the stage version of
Doubt forced its audience to rely entirely on hearsay, but I believe the key visuals in the movie were so expertly crafted by Shanley, that precious little is given away.
Just as the stage version offered excellent turns by
Heather Goldenhersh as Sister James and Tony Award winner
Adriane Lenox as the conflicted Mrs. Muller, the screen version offers no less compelling performances by
Amy Adams and
Viola Davis. Both are superb.
Best of all, just as with
Doubt on stage, we were still discussing whether or not he did it. Bravo to John Patrick Shanley and cast.
While I've just begun my annual holiday filmgoing spree, I can tell you that to date, "
Doubt" is the best movie I've seen all year.
UPDATE (12.21.08, 8:10 p.m. EST): Scratch that last item. I just came back from "
Slumdog Millionaire" -- a movie unlike any other. Yes, I love "Doubt," but "Slumdog Millionaire" is in a class unto itself. My advice? Go see them both!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Amy Adams, Brian F. O'Byrne, Broadway, Cherry Jones, Doubt, Film, Heather Goldenhersch, John Patrick Shanley, Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffmann, Play, Viola Davis
