WHAT: “Doubt – A Parable”

WHEN: Jan. 25, 26, 27 and Jan. 31; and Feb 1, 2, 3. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday.

WHERE: The Public Theatre, Lisbon and Maples streets, Lewiston

TICKETS: $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and students; $14 group rate for 10 or more. Call 782-3200.

You be the judge
The Public Theatre will stage Maine premiere of Pulitzer Prize drama examining doubt vs. certainty

LEWISTON – It just might be that the most significant moments of The Public Theatre’s production of “Doubt – A Parable” will take place after the curtain falls.

“The great thing about this play is the way it keeps you switching sides, changing who you believe. I guarantee you’ll leave the theater debating and disagreeing about the guilt or innocence of the characters, as well the dangers of over-simplification in our current society,” said TPT Artistic Director Christopher Schario.

“Doubt” – winner of 24 major awards, including the 2005 Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize for Drama – will be the most produced play in the United States this season, according to Schario. And The Public Theatre has the distinction of presenting the Maine premiere.

“We’ve been wanting to do this show since we saw it in New York. But because of its long run on Broadway and negotiations for the film version starring Meryl Streep, the rights for all professional productions were not released until recently,” said Schario, who is directing the show.

“Doubt” is a gripping story of suspicion, as well as a compelling parable for today’s courtroom culture. The plot revolves around an accusation of sexual misconduct in a Catholic school in 1964. When a stern nun’s suspicions are weighed against the word of a well-liked priest, how does one determine the truth?

“I have not the slightest proof of anything, but I have my certainty,” affirms Sister Aloysius.

The play is a riveting examination of what the author, John Patrick Shanley, calls “the merit of doubt as opposed to certainty.”

Schario said the issues in “Doubt” are universal in today’s world where nearly everything is polarized and arguments may be seen as more important than facts.

“How do you keep on going?” he asked, when deeply rooted faith clashes with doubt.

The issues in “Doubt” are about much more than an accused priest and an alleged victim, Schario said, pointing out “there are lots of cross-sections of faith” in Lewiston-Auburn and surrounding communities.

While “Doubt” addresses some intense topics, the show has its light moments.

“It’s about real people dealing with life, and it has lots of laughs,” Schario said, adding, “It’s very theatrical and very entertaining.”

Starring in this production are Kathy Lichter as Sister Aloysius, Peter Crosby as Father Flynn, Catelin Wilcox as Sister James and Teri Shepard as Mrs. Muller. All are professional actors from New York and Los Angeles.

Lichter was previously seen as M’Lynn in The Public Theatre’s 1997 production of “Steel Magnolias,” and she appeared in TPT’s “Seascape” the previous year.

Crosby was seen a few months ago on the TPT stage in “Enchanted April,” and he was in the 1999 production of “Three Days of Rain.”

Schario and Shepard have known each other since their days at Carnegie Mellon University. Schario said he was delighted when she called when casting for “Doubt” got under way.

Wilcox is new to The Public Theatre. Schario said her outstanding audition won her an immediate spot in the cast.

Creating the environment of the 1964 Bronx Catholic School in which this clash of wills takes place are set designer Dan Bilodeau, lighting designer Jamie Grant and costume designer Kris Hall.