Yet another holdover for ‘Late Nite Catechism’

Tom Titus

The way things are going, the Laguna Playhouse probably should have

scheduled its “dark night” production of “Late Nite Catechism” as a

regular entry on the production schedule.

Back in September, the theater brought the hilarious piece of

nunsense (sorry, that’s another show) in to fill in the week’s empty

space on Monday nights when the “Harvey” cast took a breather. The

one-woman show seemed perfect as a dark night filler, but word got

around quickly that this was an attraction not to be missed.

So, “Late Nite Catechism” was held over, playing through the run

of “The Laramie Project.” Audiences still couldn’t get enough, so the

piece was extended again, running in tandem with the playhouse’s

current attraction “The Romance of Magno Rubio.”

While these three shows -- and the Youth Theater production of

“Romeo and Juliet Together Again and Alive at Last” -- ran their

respective courses, “Late Nite Catechism” was still standing,

continuing its once-a-week run. Last week, the theater announced that

the one-woman show has been extended for yet another time, the third,

and now is scheduled to run through Dec. 18 -- at least.

Following the opening of the Youth Theater production of “The

Quiltmaker’s Gift” Dec. 12, “Late Nite Catechism” will be back for

four consecutive performances Dec. 15, 16, 17 and 18. It’s all pretty

mind-blowing for the show’s producer, Catherine Evans.

“We’ve had 14 shows to date,” Evans said and, referring to the

donations sought at the close of each show for nuns in retirement,

noted, “At Laguna we have raised $14,283 for the sisters to date. The

Laguna audiences are a generous crowd.”

Overall, the show has collected more than $1.5 million for retired

nuns throughout the United States via audience donations, according

to Evans, who noted that the show has used some 30 actresses over the

years.

Laguna audiences have been treated to the production’s co-creator,

Maripat Donovan, as well as Laguna actress Jane Morris, who also gets

into the habit occasionally. On opening night, Donovan elicited this

response from this column:

“Donovan is an extraordinary comic who inhabits her authoritarian

character as if she were born to the cloth -- and woe betide the

audience member who’s chatting, provocatively attired or answering a

call of nature. She takes a back seat to no one in the field of

interactive theater as she discusses the joys of dispensing equal

doses of religion and corporal punishment (no longer the latter,

however, since times and parental attitudes have changed).”

Other critics have labeled the show as “a marvelous portrayal of a

nun with attitude,” “a blend of John Wayne drill sergeant and Julie

Andrews singing her way through the Alps” and the most pointed

comparison, “Don Rickles in a habit.”

The show is extremely portable and is available for other local

groups to produce. Those interested should contact

[email protected] or call, toll-free, (877) FUNNY NUN.

As for those Laguna playgoers who haven’t yet experienced the

show, you now have a grace period through Dec. 18 and reservations

are available at (949) 497-2787. But be warned, don’t cross the

sister or you may find yourself on stage sitting in a corner.

* Tom Titus reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot.