ENC’s spring play will usher in senior Evan Detwiler’s directorial debut, as he features “Doubt,” a play that aims to shock and transform the audience.
“Doubt” recounts the story of a nun in the 1960s who suspects a priest at her church of molesting a young black student. The play wrestles with themes of faith, honor, fact, and struggle.
“[The play is] about how doubt causes us to be dishonest (whether intentional or unintentional) because we have a natural tendency to want life colored in black and white, for the ease of it,” Detwiler said.
Detweiler has decided to portray this play through the limited perspective of someone who can misinterpret facts, creating more problems than they solve. The strong themes of this play may be intense, but Detwiler remains optimistic about a positive reception.
“There are big pictures that divide our world and especially our faith. If there is any outcry, it will most likely be surface, to possible molestation, homosexuality, and the ‘portrayal’ of the Catholic Church,” Detwiler commented.
Aiding Detweiler’s interpretation is a cast of students who are veteran to ENC’s stage. Sophomore Sam Kish will be playing Father Flynn, junior Tressa Burrello as Sister Aloysius, junior Kayla Rearick as Sister James, and junior Frankie Bruny will play the role of Mrs. Muller.
Bruny has found that playing the role of a mother of a potentially abused victim is pushing her to her own personal limits as an actress.
“I think having this play at ENC will really make a difference, because it is a good way for people to check themselves in a lot of different ways. The kind of things we choose to talk about and how it can really hurt others isn’t something we think about a lot and I think this is the best play to do just that,” Bruny commented.
“Doubt” premieres on Thursday, Apr. 23 in Cove Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Other performances will also be at 7:30 p.m. on Apr. 24 and 25. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors and non-ENC students, and $5 for ENC students. Tickets can be bought at the door, online, or by calling 617-745-3715.