‘Doubt: A Parable’ opens at Strand

Published 10:08 am Thursday, April 21, 2016

: DOUBT: A PARABLE: Performers for the Westside Theatre Foundation practice Tuesday for the upcoming production of “Doubt: A Parable.” The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Strand Theatre. Performers include from left Kimberly Madson-Thomas, Matt Mitchell and Linda Hadala.

Sister Aloysius is certain she is right when it comes to her suspicions about Father Flynn, but is she?

At 7:30 p.m. Friday, the Westside Theatre Foundation will offer “Doubt: A Parable,” at the Strand Theatre, 717 Clay St., and without spoiling the ending, audience members are sure to walk away from the show thinking.

Matt Mitchell takes on the roll of Flynn in the local production and described his character as an articulate man and progressive minded priest.

“He is trying to move away from some of the staunch starchiness of the old church,” Mitchell said, which he thinks is one of the reasons Sister Aloysius has an “ax to grind” with Flynn.

“My character is a bitter old woman who never sees good in anybody, not even children. She gets it in her mind that this priest has done something wrong with no evidence what so ever,” Susan Hadala said.

Both Hadala and Mitchell are seasoned performers, however this will be Mitchell’s first performance at the Strand and his first time on the stage in 17 years.

“Performing at the Strand has been a really enjoyable journey,” Mitchell said, and added that it has been nice to perform in a smaller show, after a reprieve from the stage.

Directed by WTF founder Jack Burns, the play has four characters, Flynn, Aloysius, Sister James played by Kimberly Madson-Thomas and Mrs. Muller play by Cathy Sanford.

“It’s a tight ensemble group, which makes it easier, and the play itself is brilliant,” Mitchell said.

“John Patrick Shanley won the Pulitzer when it first came out (in 2005) and a Tony Award. Several years ago a movie also came out, but I have not yet seen it,” Mitchell said.

“Doubt” was released in 2008, and the film starred Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman. It was nominated for an academy award.

The play is set at a church in the Bronx in 1964.

“The crux of the show is really about thinking for yourself and questioning your prejudices and assumptions about other people,” Mitchell said, “because there are volumes unwritten about every person that you meet and you can’t possible know the circumstances that are beyond your knowledge.”

Mitchell added he felt like the playwrights intension for “Doubt: A Parable” were to encourage people to question their realities and their assumptions, and act and speak responsibly.

In addition to Friday’s performance, shows will be offered at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and April 29 and 30.

Tickets are $10 in advance at the Highway 61 Coffeehouse and $15 at the door.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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