The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park wants your theatergoing experience to be as enjoyable as possible. Following is a list of content within Doubt that may be of concern to some members of our audience. Please understand that some information may give away surprises within the story. The information is provided to help you make informed decisions. Keep in mind, however, that the language and themes outlined below, taken out of context, may seem more offensive than they would be within the context of the actual play. This information will continue to be updated until the opening of the show to address any changes that may occur throughout the rehearsal process. Please check back often.

Doubt is suitable for adult and teenage audiences. It contains mature themes.

Winner of the 2004 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play, Doubt is one of Broadway’s most honored plays. Set against a Bronx Catholic school in 1964, the story centers around the hard-edged Sister Aloysius, who rules with an iron fist. She is unimpressed with the new teaching methods of some of the younger nuns, including those of Sister James, who she feels is too soft, interested in offering compassion and friendship versus discipline.

Sister Aloysius has particular concerns about young Donald Muller, the school’s first black student in a predominately Irish and Italian parish. She is not comforted by Sister James’ assertions that Father Flynn, a young priest, has become the boy’s mentor and protector. Sister Aloysius grows suspicious of the special interest Father Flynn has been showing to the boy.

Convinced that Father Flynn will be blindly protected by the church hierarchy, Sister Aloysius sets out to confront him herself. She gets little support from Donald’s mother, who is focused only on getting her son through this final year and into a good high school.

But as Sister Aloysius continues farther down a path from which she can’t turn back, she is faced with a difficult decision: Are her fears based upon moral certainty or stubborn prejudice? Examining the blurry line between reality and gossip, discipline and compassion, truth and doubt, this fast-moving, suspense-filled drama is as gripping as it is thought-provoking.

Doubt contains only the mildest use of adult language, including “dam*” (once) and “hell” (twice).

None.

None.

One character in the play suspects that a priest has had inappropriate sexual contact with a young boy.

The play addresses issues of sexual abuse and gender hierarchy within the Catholic church of the 1960s.

Doubt runs approximately 90 minutes. The play is performed without an intermission.