’TIL DEATH DO US PART: LATE NITE CATECHISM 3
This is the latest incarnation of the original one-woman show Late Nite Catechism, which first appeared in the early ’90s. Maripat Donovan, who also co-wrote the show with director Marc Silvia, reprises her role as “Sister.”
I’ve never seen any of the three previous ones, (there’s the original, #2, and a Christmas edition,) so I went in blind, the way I like to. But the press release read, in part, “Classroom participation is a must, so bring along your sweetie and your sense of humor for some quality time with Sister,” so I knew there would be a lot of riffing off the audience, a technique that’s near and dear to my heart. That’s what I did for all the many years of my show, so I know it’s no easy no task; you just kind-of hope that the audience is in the mood, and that your comedy mind kicks in.
I have feeling that Ms. Donavan is secure in her abilities, though, because she’s definitely in charge! On opening night at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre, above the Pasadena Playhouse, she was in rare form dealing with a crazy female heckler. I know she wouldn’t have hit the girl with a ruler, like I’ve heard real nuns did back in the day, but none of us would have blamed her!
The show is set-up like a classroom, which also gave me warm feelings of my days as a teacher. I appreciated every little bit of the set decorations, especially the cursive writing chart along the top. But she could have performed this on just an empty stage, with no nun’s habit, because she’s funny, and that’s all that’s necessary.
Having the concept of a nun teaching a class, though, just adds to her humor. I really do think that being Catholic would help audience members just a taste, because, even with a non-Jewish boyfriend, who went to Catholic schools even through college(!!!,) I didn’t know half of the religion part of the dialogue. (The audience gets to speak a lot, hence my use of the word “dialogue” as opposed to “monologue.”) I am proud to say, though, that I was probably the only person in the audience who knew what the “Immaculate Conception” really is, thanks to a super-smart father who schooled several of my Catholic school friends on the topic many years ago. So, yay me! [Note: I actually use it as one of my “challenges” to people, along with the proper use of the word “nauseous.” So, look them up for yourself and get to look as smart as I do!]
But, it really doesn’t matter what religion you are, or if you’re part of a couple or go see it alone. Everyone with a sense of humor should enjoy this show. This “class,” as the different versions of the show are called, is ostensibly about marriage, so couples in the audience play a huge part in it. The second half contains a hilarious version of a couples-only game show. I don’t know who had more fun when I saw it–the duos themselves or the people watching it. I don’t want to give more than that away so you’ll get to experience it for yourself. And each show is unique, anyway, because of the audience energy that night.
The whole event is an easy-going evening of fun, which I think all of us need nowadays. And Maripat does something really nice at the end of the show–she collects small donations on the way out to help to support retired nuns in need. As I’ve read, the entire Late Nite Catechism franchise has collected over two million dollars for them. So make sure that, in addition to your sense of humor, you bring some cash because you wouldn’t want even a fake sister to damn you to hell!
’Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3 running through April 3, 2011
Carrie Hamilton Theatre at the Pasadena Playhouse39 South El Molino Ave. Pasadena 626-356-7529 www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org
