Milwaukee Chamber Theatre presents DOUBT, A PARABLE by John Patrick Shanley

Milwaukee, WI. … What is Father Flynn hiding? In DOUBT, A PARABLE, running April 12-29, 2018, that is the question that sends Sister Aloysius Beauvier on a personal crusade with devastating consequences. John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer- and Tony-winning play, directed by MCT producing artistic director C. Michael Wright, will be performed at the Broadway Theatre Center’s Cabot Theatre in the Historic Third Ward.

In 1964, at a Catholic parish in the Bronx, there is a secret. Sister Aloysius, principal of the parish school, is certain she knows it. But her suspicion is not enough, when the suspected sinner is the parish priest, and his possible victim is a boy who is also the school’s first black student. Equipped with nothing but her moral certainty, Sister Aloysius sets out with a young teacher to expose the truth – if she can determine exactly what that truth is. This award-winning work is a master study in the crushing weight of ambiguity, and leaves nothing certain.

MCT’s production of DOUBT will feature a cast of four talented actors, all based right here in Wisconsin. Opposing each other during the play are two members of American Players Theatre’s Core Company who are well-known to audiences in Milwaukee. Colleen Madden, playing Sister Aloysius, will make her MCT debut with this production, though she’s previously worked with C. Michael Wright on THE SYRINGA TREE at both APT and Renaissance Theaterworks. Marcus Truschinski, playing Father Flynn, most recently appeared at MCT in THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED].

Rounding out the cast is April Paul as the young teacher Sister James, who will appear on the Cabot Theatre stage for the first time since she made her MCT debut as a student in PICNIC in 2009, and Malkia Stampley, who makes her own MCT debut as Mrs. Muller, mother of the boy Sister Aloysius suspects is being victimized.

DOUBT was originally staged more than a decade ago, winning both the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play in 2005, and was also produced in a film adaptation in 2008. But revisiting Shanley’s preface to the published edition, the ideas behind it feel easily as relevant today – if not more.

“We are living,” Shanley writes, “in a culture of extreme advocacy, of confrontation, of judgment, and of verdict. Discussion has given way to debate. Communication has become a contest of wills. Public talking has become obnoxious and insincere. Why? Maybe it’s because deep down under the chatter we have come to a place where we know that we don’t know… anything.”

It’s that complicated kind of thinking that makes director C. Michael Wright so passionate about this play, which he originally saw on Broadway in 2005. “I find Shanley’s approach to especially difficult subject matter to be courageous, multi-layered and totally riveting,” he says, adding that he has a number of personal ties to the piece. Not just raised Catholic, he was an altar boy himself in 1964, the very year Shanley chose to set the play in.

DOUBT, A PARABLE marks the concluding work in MCT’s 43^rd season, “The Mysteries of Life.” Subscriptions are now on sale for the 2018-19 season, titled “A Time for Risk,” which will begin in August with the adventure-mystery SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE JERSEY LILY in the Cabot Theatre. More details are available at milwaukeechambertheatre.com.

DOUBT, A PARABLE performances will take place April 12-29, 2018 (Opening Night: Friday, April 13), in the Broadway Theatre Center’s Studio Theatre, 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. Tickets are available Monday through Saturday from noon-6:00 p.m. (noon-5:00 p.m. summer hours through August 5) at the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office, 158 N. Broadway, or by phone at (414) 291-7800. Tickets can be purchased online 24 hours a day at milwaukeechambertheatre.com. Group, student and senior discounts are also available. For more information, visit milwaukeechambertheatre.com. DOUBT, A PARABLE is co-sponsored by John Holland, Marianne & Sheldon B. Lubar, and Dick & Diane Wright.

[ CAST ]

Sister Aloysius Beauvier ……………………………………………………………………………. Colleen Madden

Sister James ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. April Paul

Mrs. Muller …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Malkia Stampley

Father Brendan Flynn ……………………………………………………………………………. Marcus Truschinski

[ PRODUCTION STAFF ]

Director………………………………………………………………………………………………….. C. Michael Wright

Stage Manager…………………………………………………………………………………………………… Judy Martel

Scenic Designer…………………………………………………………………………………………………. Steve Barnes

Costume Designer……………………………………………………………………………………………… Kim Instenes

Lighting Designer……………………………………………………………………………………………. David Gipson

Sound Designer……………………………………………………………………………………………. Victoria Deiorio

Properties Designer……………………………………………………………………………………………. Madelyn Yee

Dialect Coach………………………………………………………………………………………….. Raeleen McMillion

Assistant Director……………………………………………………………………………………… Kayleigh Kitzman

[ PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ]

April 12-29, 2018
Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
	12 7:30 p.m.P	13 8:00 p.m. O	14           8:00 p.m.	15 2:00 p.m.
18         1:00 p.m.* 7:30 p.m. V	19 7:30 p.m. T	20 8:00 p.m.	21           4:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. C	22 2:00 p.m.
25 1:00 p.m.*	26            7:30 p.m. T	27 8:00 p.m.	28           4:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.	29 2:00 p.m.

P = Preview; O = Opening; T = Talkback; V = ViewPoints;

*= Talk Theatre; C = Community Building Night (half-price tickets)

[ SPECIAL EVENTS ]

–Pre-performance ViewPoints: Join us for an insightful pre-show conversation with Dr. Xavier Cole, Vice President for Student Affairs at Marquette University, who will discuss topics relating to DOUBT. This free presentation is on Wednesday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Skylight Bar & Bistro.

–Pre-performance Talk Theatre: MCT producing artistic director C. Michael Wright will lead two lively, informative chats during the run of DOUBT. On Wednesday, April 18, our guest will be assistant director Kayleigh Kitzman. Then, on Wednesday, April 25, our guest will be actor Malkia Stampley. Talk Theatre always begins at 12:00 noon in the Skylight Bar & Bistro.

–Post-performance Talkbacks: Post-show discussions with the artists will take place following performances on Thursday, April 19 and Thursday, April 26.

—Community Building Night: As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure MCT productions are accessible to as many members of the Milwaukee community as possible, we’re hosting half-price Community Building Nights during every production in the 2017-2018 season. DOUBT’s Community Building Night is set for 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 21.

[ BIOGRAPHIES ]

COLLEEN MADDEN – Sister Aloysius Beauvier

Colleen is honored to be making her debut at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. A Core Company member at American Players Theatre, Colleen has also performed on several Madison and Milwaukee stages, including Forward Theater Company, Children’s Theater of Madison, Renaissance Theaterworks, and Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Most recently, she appeared as Susanna in Milwaukee Rep’s BLACK PEARL SINGS!, and will next appear as Billie Dawn in APT’s BORN YESTERDAY.

APRIL PAUL – Sister James

April Paul will be performing in the Cabot Theatre this season for the first time since her debut here in 2009: MCT’s production of PICNIC. Other previous Milwaukee Chamber Theatre credits include OCTOBER, BEFORE I WAS BORN, YOU’LL NEVER UNDERSTAND (Young Playwrights Festival), and most recently working as assistant director for MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET. April holds a bachelor’s degree in acting from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and has worked with several companies throughout the Milwaukee area. A few recent projects include RUSSIAN TRANSPORT and LUNA GALE (Renaissance Theaterworks), PEPPER’S GHOST (Alchemist Theatre), LITTLE GEM (Milwaukee Irish Arts), JACK OF HEARTS (Milwaukee Entertainment Group), and THE FLICK (Forward Theatre).

MALKIA STAMPLEY – Mrs. Muller

Malkia Stampley makes her MCT debut with DOUBT. She received her acting training at Marquette University and is a former acting intern at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and former Resident Artist at Skylight Music Theatre. She has worked with Skylight Music Theatre (CROWNS, ANYTHING GOES, CABARET, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS), Milwaukee Rep (A CHRISTMAS CAROL, DREAMGIRLS, THE COLOR PURPLE, SUENO), First Stage (WELCOME TO BRONZEVILLE, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, HOLES, A MIDNIGHT CRY, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER), Forward Theater Company (GOOD PEOPLE, LEARNING TO STAY), Theatre LILA/Children’s Theatre of Madison, Optimist Theatre (A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM), In Tandem Theatre (BURYING THE BONES), St. Louis Black Repertory Theater (DREAMGIRLS, winner of Woodie King Jr. Award-Best Supporting Actress), Congo Square Theatre (TALENTED TENTH, BLACK NATIVITY), Chicago’s Court Theatre (RAISIN). TV credits include Shameless, Chicago PD, Empire and a recurring role on Showtime’s The Chi. Upcoming projects include FLYING WEST with Bronzeville Arts Ensemble, KING LEAR with Optimist Theatre and PEARL’S IN THE HOUSE with Utah Shakespeare Festival.

MARCUS TRUSCHINSKI – Father Brendan Flynn

Marcus returns to Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, where he was last seen in THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED]. He is a Core Company member with American Players Theatre in Spring Green. Favorite roles at APT include: Biff in DEATH OF A SALESMAN, Chris Keller in ALL MY SONS, Jim O’Connor in THE GLASS MENAGERIE and Mr. Darcy in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. He was last seen in Milwaukee in THE FOREIGNER at Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

MICHAEL WRIGHT – Director, MCT Producing Artistic Director

Since joining the staff here in 2005, Michael has directed quite a number of MCT productions including MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, THE FEW, LOBBY HERO, SLOWGIRL, THE TRAIN DRIVER, UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL, DRIVING MISS DAISY and PICNIC, as well as three original works: OCTOBER, BEFORE I WAS BORN, THE DALY NEWS and DICKENS IN AMERICA (which he also directed at American Players Theatre). Before MCT, he served as Associate Artistic Director of Next Act Theatre for eight years. Since moving to Wisconsin in 1988, Michael has directed well over 75 productions. Some favorites have been THE STORY OF MY LIFE for Milwaukee Opera Theatre, THE RETREAT FROM MOSCOW for Next Act, A NIGHT IN NOVEMBER for Next Act, Madison Rep and Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida and THE SYRINGA TREE for American Players Theatre and Renaissance Theaterworks, both featuring Colleen Madden. Michael has been acting professionally for 40 years, having appeared in regional theatres all across the country, as well as in Athol Fugard’s “MASTER HAROLD”…and the boys on Broadway, in Israel and in the national tour. His most recent performances have been as Paul in a concert version of A CHORUS LINE for Milwaukee Opera Theatre and Theater RED, and as Vanya in VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE here at MCT. In 2009, Michael was honored with an “Artist of the Year” award by the City of Milwaukee Arts Board.

MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE

Founded in 1975, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) produces intimate and accessible theatrical works that engage and challenge the audience, while employing and nurturing principally local theatre artists. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director C. Michael Wright and Managing Director Kirsten Finn, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre performs at the Broadway Theatre Center in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.