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Gallery 7 Theatre presents Doubt, A Parable

Production starts Jan. 26 at Abbotsford Community Arts Addition
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Marit Christensen (left) and Jay Danziger perform in Gallery 7 Theatre’s production of Doubt, A Parable by John Patrick Shanley. (Photo by Dianna Lewis Photography)

Gallery 7 Theatre present its next production, Doubt, A Parable, starting Friday, Jan. 26 at the Abbotsford Community Arts Addition (2329 Crescent Way).

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play by John Patrick Shanley tells the story of Sister Aloysius, a Bronx school principal who is shaken to her moral core when she suspects that young Father Flynn is having an inappropriate relationship with a male student.

Adapted into an award-winning film featuring Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman, the play explores the delicate tension between perception and reality.

“The play is a riveting and entertaining story of what happens when uncertainty occurs in our lives,” says Ken Hildebrandt, the play’s director and Gallery 7 Theatre’s artistic director.

“The play is not a celebration of doubt. Rather, it serves as an inspiration and challenge for us to embrace times of uncertainty as opportunities to grow. Plus, it explores some extremely timely questions about suspicion, race and abuse. ”

Playing the role of Sister Aloysius is Gallery 7 Theatre newcomer Marit Christensen, who has a wealth of theatre experience, having performed in productions in Calgary, Vancouver and Salt Spring Island.

Father Flynn is played by film and stage actor Jay Danziger, whom Fraser Valley audiences will remember for his work in productions of The Giver, Shadowlands and Damien.

Nicola Prigge, making her Gallery 7 Theatre stage debut, will play the role of Sister James, a young and impressionable sister who is a new teacher at the school.

Prigge is an actor, director and stage manager, and is a graduate of the TWU Theatre program.

Playing the role of Mrs. Muller, the embattled mother of the only black student at the school, is played by UFV theatre student Abigail Kibarita. She last appeared on the Gallery 7 stage as Babette, the feather duster, in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Set design is by Calvin Baker, costume design is by Dani Dejong, lighting design is by Matthew Piton, and sound design is by actor, choreographer and designer Tessa Trach. Stage manager for the show is Cameron McKerchar and the production photographer is Dianna Lewis Photography.

Performances are Jan. 26, 27 and 31 and Feb. 3 and 7-10 at 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. on Jan. 27, Feb. 3 and 10.

Tickets are available online at gallery7theatre.com, in person at House of James (2743 Emerson St.) or by phone at 604-852-3701 or 1-800-665-8828.