Tyne Daly, the esteemed actress with accolades including Tony and Emmy Awards, has regrettably stepped down from her leading role in the upcoming Broadway revival of “Doubt: A Parable” due to health concerns. The play, written by John Patrick Shanley and winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 2004, revolves around a Catholic priest accused of sexual assault. Daly was slated to portray Sister Aloysius Beauvier, the stern nun who harbors suspicions about the priest, played by Liev Schreiber. However, she will now be replaced by Amy Ryan, with performances commencing on February 13.
The Roundabout Theater Company, responsible for the production, announced Daly’s withdrawal citing her unexpected hospitalization on Friday. Although the organization assured that Daly is anticipated to recover fully, they did not disclose further details about her health condition. The play’s previews were initially scheduled to begin last Friday but were postponed. Isabel Keating, the understudy, has been standing in for Daly since then and will continue to do so until Sunday.
In the 2008 film adaptation of “Doubt,” Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman portrayed the central characters, further cementing the play’s impact beyond the stage. Daly, aged 77, boasts a remarkable career spanning both stage and screen, with notable achievements including a Tony Award for her role in the revival of “Gypsy” and multiple Emmy Awards for her television work in series such as “Cagney & Lacey,” “Christy,” and “Judging Amy.”
Amy Ryan, aged 55, steps into the role of Sister Aloysius, bringing her own wealth of experience to the production. Ryan, known for her Oscar-nominated performance in “Gone Baby Gone,” returns to Broadway after nearly twenty years, having appeared in several previous productions and earning Tony Award nominations for her work in Roundabout revivals.
Directed by Scott Ellis, the “Doubt” revival will now open on March 7, a week later than initially planned, and is set to run until April 14. Alongside Schreiber and Ryan, the cast includes Quincy Tyler Bernstine and Zoe Kazan, promising a compelling revival of Shanley’s thought-provoking drama.