Pioneer Theatre Company, which also mounted the regional debut of Les Miserables, will tackle Shanley's drama that explores the issues of faith and moral uncertainty.
Shanley's 90-minute play begins in a Bronx, NY, Catholic parish, when Father Flynn is suspected by Sister Aloysius, the school's principal, of having an inappropriate relationship with one of his male students. The young boy's mother only complicates matters in her response to the allegations, thrusting Sister Aloysius into a conflicted dialogue about her own faith and the cost of the pursuit of truth.
Jeff Talbott, of Broadway's Sly Fox and Fortune's Fool, will portray Father Flynn, alongside Alabama Shakespeare Festival veteran Greta Lambert as Sister Aloysius. Doubt also features Shannon Koob as Sister James, and Tamela Aldridge as Mrs. Muller.
Martin Platt, who helmed the European premiere of Doubt featuring Pioneer cast member Shannon Koob, repeats his duties for the Pioneer mounting. Platt is joined by a design team that includes William Barclay (set design), Carol Wells-Day (costume design), Michael Gilliam (lighting design), Joe Payne (sound design) and Amanda French (hair and make-up design).
In addition to his Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Doubt, John Patrick Shanley has penned Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, Defiance, Savage in Limbo and The Dreamer Examines His Pillow, as well as the Oscar-winning screenplay for "Moonstruck." Shanley will direct his screenplay for the upcoming film adaptation of Doubt, starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams. Doubt premiered Off-Broadway at the Manhattan Theatre Club on Nov. 23, 2004, starring Cherry Jones, Brían F. O’Byrne, Heather Goldenhersh and Adriane Lenox. Earning raves, the production transferred to Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre in March of 2005, earning Tony nominations for the entire cast, with Jones and Lenox taking home the awards. A subsequent national tour starring Cherry Jones and Adriane Lenox began in 2006, concluding its run in May of 2007.
Pioneer Theatre Company will present Doubt through Nov. 17. Tickets are available by calling (801) 581-6961 or by visiting www.pioneertheatre.org.
Pioneer Theatre Company, Utah's only fully professional theatre, performs at Roy W. and Elizabeth E. Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, located on the University of Utah campus at 300 South and 1400 East in Salt Lake City.
