Holly Amber as Sister. Photo by Jessica Storvik
Upon walking into Out Front On Main to see Sister Mary Ignatius Explains it all
For You, I thought one thing: this place looks eerily like a church. Since they already have pews in the audience, this just made it even funnier. Upon learning Out Front was doing
this, I Googled the play because I knew absolutely nothing about it. What I found definitely piqued my interest. Thankfully, I chose not to read any spoilers. Christopher Durang wrote this play back in 1979 and he was way ahead of his time when it came to pressing buttons about the Catholic Church.
Ryan Vogel has directed this 60 minute one act play set in 1985. This play starts with gospel music blaring, much like I assume it would in church. (Never was a big church-goer.) Sister
Mary Ignatius then steps onstage, the music quiets and she takes a spot at an
easel, after of course, praying and crossing herself. Sister Mary Ignatius is a
stern old nun through and through. She makes Sister Alysious in Doubt look like
Mary Poppins. The show starts out with Sister lecturing the audience. She
precedes to explain it all
to us. She goes through all things Catholicism; from the differences between Purgatory and
Heaven and Hell, to the various types of sins, right down to her list of those
going to hell. In between her lengthy lecture, Thomas, a 7 year old student
that she teaches brings her chocolates and water. She makes him recite the ten
commandments for cookies.
Her lecture lasts quite some time and admittedly, it can make you want to reach up
and slap her. After singing Ava Maria, four of her former students come on
stage. They then precede to put on a mock Christmas pagent. This alone is worth
the price of admission. You will laugh until it feels like you’ve done a hundred
sit-ups.
After the Christmas pagent from hell, the students take off their costumes and come
back onstage. Each student takes turns telling her how much her teachings have
psychologically damaged them. Alysious, a man who now is an alcoholic wife
beater, was forced to hold his bladder until her wet himself in her class. Diane
, a woman has had two abortions, the first of which was when she was raped.
Philomena, a girl who frequently got hit a lot by Sister, now has a daughter out
of wedlock. Gary, a man who is now in a homosexual relationship with another
former student of hers, and has been quite promiscuous. Diane explains to her
that she has come to kill her. Then all hell breaks loose.
This is very much a hilarious satire that will make you laugh until you cry. On the
same token, it will also make you think very hard. Great acting and a equally as
strong director is what makes this play shine. For a play that could easily
become surreal, it never quite manages to, which is a great thing. I, as an
audience member, genuinely believed there could really be nuns out there this
crazy.
The cast knocks it out of the park. Holly Amber is phenomonal as Sister Mary
Ignatius. She shows that she can do anything. I, for one, am amazed at what all
she can keep doing. I almost thought if I’d laugh too much, she’d pull out a
yard stick and poke me. Michael Hayes is adorable as Sister Mary’s seven year
old golden boy-servant. He really shows his talent and makes you so happy to see
children that are talented and genuine out there in community theatre, where so
many can seem so sacchrin. Kelly Northcutt will truly make you feel for Diane.
As a woman who has gone through so much turmoil, never once do you ever feel as
though she’s crazy or too far gone. Miss Northcutt manages to make all of
Diane’s not so understandable of acts very justifiable. I always love seeing her
on stage. Anna Matson as Philomena brings a sweet innocence to her character.
Sister Mary constantly reprimands her for having a child out of wedlock and it
almost makes you want to stand up and defend her. Ryan Vogel does double duty
directing and starring in this show as Alysious. He shows such great comedic
timing. It never ceases to amaze me at what all this man can do. Ryan Daniel
does a great job at playing Gary. He has so many funny moments and you truly
feel sympathetic towards his character. I really enjoy seeing him act and I look
forward to seeing what he will do in the future.
You should definitely go see Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You. I promise you, you won’t regret it. –Andie Boyd
- The Cast of Sister Mary. Photo by Jessica Storvik
