Doubt, by John Patrick Shanley, is a powerful play -- a peek into Catholic education; a conflict between a loving, compassionate priest and a severe nun who runs the school. The play is a brilliant dissection of the human soul, with a stunning performance by Cherry Jones, in which she totally invests herself into the character. It's one of the finest, most moving performances of the year. The rest of the cast of the four character play is quite good, especially Brian F. O'Byrne as the priest. John Lee Beatty's set, which is both expansive and constricting, Pat Collins' lighting, and sharp direction by Doug Hughes, all enhance Shanley's most recent play. He goes deeper here, is less playful and more profound than in his other works, without subduing his gift for language that rings true.
My spies tell me Doubt is moving to Broadway in March 2005, where it should win many awards -- it's a great show.