When Cherry Jones originated the role of Sister Aloysius in 2005, she did not know that John Patrick Shanley’s “Doubt” would take the Pulitzer Prize, multiple Tony Awards — including Best Actress — and numerous other high honors. She knew only that the strong character represented certainty, a dangerous quality in today’s world.
“I immediately took her to be an extraordinary and noble woman,” she says. “She gets crazy on a few subjects, but she goes to work every day to prepare each child under her supervision as best she can. She has no doubt about her convictions, so in playing her, I had to grow myself. It’s not my job to be in conflict with her reactions. Onstage, I’m in complete and total alignment with her.”
Sister Aloysius, a nun in a Catholic school in the Bronx, is convinced that a priest, Father Flynn (Chris McGarry), is abusing children. While she does not waver from her assessment, the story line offers the audience ample opportunity to consider both sides.
“I see this story being about the human condition of needing to know when in doubt,” Jones says. “When the playwright [Shanley] was growing up, people who expressed doubt were regarded as being strong and very wise, while those who were always certain and believed their superiors without question were like sheep.
“Today, the doubter is regarded as weak and a troublemaker, and yet Shanley emphasizes that doubt requires more courage than conviction. As a nation, we’re being driven more toward certainty, so I believe that Washington needs this play at this time in history.”
Jones has earned raves for her work onstage and multiple distinguished awards, among them two Tonys, two Obies, two Joseph Jeffersons, three Drama Desks and three Outer Critics Circles. Her film credits include “Ocean’s Twelve,” “Erin Brockovich,” “The Horse Whisperer,” “The Perfect Storm” and “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.”
While growing up in Paris, Tenn., she was inspired to become an actor by her grandmother, who once dreamed of performing in silent movies. By the time Jones reached high school, her speech teacher was taking her on weekly journeys to speech tournaments. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University,she proved her worth as a company member of the American Repertory Theatre and in regional, Off-Broadway and Broadway productions.
“Of all the plays I’ve done, this is the juggernaut,” Jones says. “It’s rare that a straight play receives such acclaim. This is a phenomenon! When I heard it would tour, I wanted to be part of the little play that could.”
