CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The premiere weekend for the final play of the Pistarckle Theater 2018-19 Season will be Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11, 8 p.m. featuring the “engrossing, provocative” drama “Doubt,” written by John Patrick Shanley, and directed by Pistarckle’s Resident Director Frank Bartolucci.
Additional performances are Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18 at 8 p.m., and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, May 19. Pistarckle Theater is located in the far back of Tillett Gardens on St. Thomas’ East End.
In 1964 the winds of change are sweeping through Sister Aloysius’ St. Nicholas School. Father Flynn, a charismatic priest, is advocating reform of the school’s strict customs, and the first black student has just been accepted.
When a fellow nun tells Sister Aloysius that Father Flynn may be paying too much personal attention to the student, Sister Aloysius begins a personal crusade against the priest — despite her lack of evidence.
“This play takes place in 1964. It is imperative to see it through the lens of that era,” Director Frank Bartolucci said. “It is an era where the allegations brought by Sister Aloysius Beauvier were unfathomable and therefore, we truly don’t know if she was right or wrong.”
Seen through today’s lens skews the allegations heavily to one side. The audience simply knows too much about the indiscretions and abuse that have taken place in the Catholic Church.
However, in the context of the play, there is no proof that Sister Beauvier’s accusations have any merit, and thus it is open to debate whom the viewing audience believes.
“Though some may think Father Brendan Flynn’s actions are telling, I offer an alternative for consideration,” Bartolucci said “Regardless of his inclinations, once he took his vows of celibacy he has faithfully honored them and perhaps simply has a unique perspective to help those young men who, like Donald Muller, have their own doubts.”
The cast of four island resident actors include: Garry Bryan as Father Brendan Flynn, Dena Langdon as Sister Aloysius Beauvier, Emily Cannon Latham as Sister James, and Jervina K. Dowers as Mrs. Muller.
Performances are Friday and Saturday, May 10, 11, 17, and 18 at 8 p.m., and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, May 19th. Tickets are $25 for General Seating, $30 for Standard Reserved Section, and $40 for Premium Reserved Section.
There will also be a “Pay-As-You-Can-Night’ on Thursday, May 9, at 8 p.m., with donations encouraged.
Tickets can be purchased online at pistarckletheater.com, or by calling (340) 775-7877.