Critics Have No 'Doubt' It's a Success

Early Reviews Praise TheatreWorks New Milford's Production of 'Doubt: A Parable'

"John Patrick Shanley's award-winning drama "Doubt," now at TheatreWorks in New Milford…may be a familiar story of a witch hunt, but it is beautifully crafted here with its unsettling premise about suspicions that escalate into accusations and judgments reached without fair trial.” – The Danbury News-Times

"Doubt is – pardon the adverb – undoubtedly a work that seems crafted especially for the stage. It has that aspect of charged interactions among four characters best confined to parish rooms and offices, without the intrusions of outside elements that beleaguered its film adaptation…J. Scott Williams as Father Brendan Flynn turned in…[a] strong performance, whether it was delivering the initial sermon to the audience, or defending himself vociferously against the allegations of Sister Aloysius." – The Citizen-News

 

'Doubt' Featured Actor — J. Scott Williams

“Williams, who has the more nuanced role, plays [Father] Flynn with an intriguing mix of masculine bonhomie and curious softness…”
– The Danbury News-Times

It’s fascinating how many folks have asked us, “Is Doubt based on the movie with Philip Seymour Hoffman?” We throw them a coy smile and say, “No, the movie was a Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning play before it became a film last Christmas.” And most times we get the understandable response of “Ohhhhhh….” Which is a joy to us!

And frankly, as much as we admire Philip Seymour Hoffman, he’s no J. Scott Williams, who dove into the role of Father Flynn after an 8-year absence from the TheatreWorks stage (or any stage for that matter) with fervent enthusiasm and confidence. His last role was playing a Nazi Captain at TheatreWorks in the World War II drama, Bent, in spring 2001. And like riding a bicycle, Mr. Williams has hopped back on as if he had never been away.

Some of Mr. Williams’ most favorite roles include: Burton in Burn This, Steve in Jeffrey, Captain Jack Ross in A Few Good Men, Bluntschli in Arms and the Man, Lloyd in Noises Off, Richard in Moon Over Buffalo, Ernst in Cabaret, and Gregory in Love! Valour! Compassion!

In real life, Mr. Williams is a landscape architect in Brookfield. So what was it that drew him out of an 8-year retirement to come back to TheatreWorks New Milford?

Scott Williams (SW):
I’ve never played a priest. I suppose that alone makes this role unique for me. I have played a sadistic Nazi officer, a marine attorney, and a gay choreographer, but never a man of the cloth. I am really looking forward to it. I also deliver a couple of monologues where I am talking directly to the audience with no imaginary 4th wall separating me from them. It’s a very vulnerable situation for an actor.

What is most challenging about your role in Doubt?

SW: Probably the greatest challenge to my role is that what is NOT being said is as much of a driving force to this man's actions as what is spoken, much more so than any other role I have played. What is fun for me is that only I know the whole story, the background story of our production. Don't bother asking, I will never tell.

What’s your favorite role and/or show? What role are you dying to do (in any show)?

SW: My favorite role has to be Gregory in Love! Valour! Compassion! at TheatreWorks New Milford in ’97. I loved every minute of every rehearsal and every performance of that show. I almost stopped doing amateur theater after that because I thought it just couldn't get any better. But I think Doubt might change my mind. My role in this show is a great one, and the cast is superb. What role am I dying to do? I would love another crack at Romeo (I did it once in college), but, alas, my Romeo days have passed. I suppose I would like a crack at Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey…something light for a change.

What do you think audiences will enjoy most about Doubt?

SW: The script is very tidy with no waste at all. I think it will stimulate people and make them take a second look at issues they might have felt certain about. I think the audience will leave with an opinion one way or another, but not with 100% certainty.  Hopefully, they will enjoy the sensation – or even frustration – of doubt about what really happened and how they feel about it. 

About this last point, we’ve seen it for our own eyes. Last weekend’s sell-out Friday and near sell-out Saturday were debating their opinions out the door about who did what and why they might have done it. No matter how you feel in the end, Mr. Williams and this outstanding cast will mesmerize and enthrall you in 90 minutes of suspense, drama, and awe in Doubt: A Parable.

Don’t wait until there are no more seats. Get your tickets now!

 

Page to Stage - Staged Readings

Boeing Boeing
by: Marc Camoletti
Thursday, July 30 @ 8:00 PM

TheatreWorks' next stop is Paris, where Bernard, an American architect, is living and has been successfully juggling three – yes, three! – fiancées who are all flight attendants. Bernard’s housekeeper reluctantly plays romantic air-traffic controller as they fly in and out of his swank bachelor pad. But when his old college pal Robert visits, things get rather turbulent! Schedules change, flights are delayed and chaos ensues in this hysterical, high-flying fiancée fiasco!

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