Stray Kats Theatre Company and Third Eye Productions have joined forces to produce and perform John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt at Newtown Meeting House and quite simply: it is a stunner. The play, under the direction of Don Striano, in his debut effort, drives home a message of unattainable certainty in an atmosphere of doubt and the pervasive damage that can cause. 

Mr Striano presents  a clean, crisp set for Mr Shanley’s award-winning play about an older nun, Sister Aloysius Beauvier (being played by Kate Katcher), principal of a small Catholic school in the Bronx. Sr Aloysius is a fierce moral guardian on a bold, and perhaps misguided, mission to remove Father  Brendan Flynn (Patrick Kearney) from his position in the school and its incumbent access to the young boys on its roster.

Her efforts include engaging a young and gullible Sister James (Molly Garbe).  Sr James identifies one boy in particular, Donald Muller, to whom Father Flynn is a friend. Donald’s mother, played by Denise Michelle Johnson, is called by Sr Aloysius to provide evidence against Father Flynn.

The dark and ugly allegations cast against Father Flynn are in sharp contrast to the fastidiousness of the set and costumes. This adds to the jarring effect of the circumstances and action            

The play speaks to the ability of the mildest and most inconsequential of actions to bring about suspicion and fear. Father Flynn sermonizes about the impossibility of retracting gossip once it has been uttered. Everyone involved in the dissemination of falsehood suffers from the repercussions.  These are the weighty morals to the story and this play imparts them beautifully, leaving the audience in a state of doubt throughout the ninety minute piece.

Mr Striano has obtained strong performances from his cast. Ms Katcher is convincing as the rigid, precise and morally strung out Sr Aloysius.  She reveals a strong undercurrent of backstory which makes the audience ponder the life experience which has made her so vengeful.

In Father Flynn, Mr Kearney revels and excels in the pulpit. He sermonizes with conviction and power. His voice has a cadence and clarity which would make any congregation sit up and listen.

Molly Garbe’s Sr James is lovely. She is angelic and yet complicit, to a point. Ms Garbe portrays a complexity of emotions with ease.

The intense performance of Denise Michelle Johnson as the mother of a potential victim is riveting. Mrs Muller represents the reality of the world around the insular school. She knows what her son needs and what she is willing to sacrifice or overlook to get it for him.  She is fierce.

The limited set and lighting capabilities of the venue works well to enhance and focus the action of the players. It is concise, direct and ultimately disturbing. This is a brilliant play and this production serves it well.

(Performances will continue through September 20, with curtain on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Queen Street Gifts & Treats, 3 Queen Street in Newtown.

They can also be reserved by calling 203-514-2221, sending email to info@straykatstheatrecompany.org)StrayKatsTheatreCompany.org., or visiting