If cozying up to a cup of hot apple cider in a warm theater full of giggles sounds appealing, evenings at the Theatre in Old Town is a good place to start. Miracle Theatre Productions presents “Sister’s Christmas Catechism” by Maripat Donovan, one of the last two MTP shows in Old Town.
On any given night, “Sister’s Christmas Catechism” may star one of two women. Kristin Moneagle, an actress and a playwright, shares the role of Sister with Kathryn Gallagher, an actress formerly from Chicago who now lives in Los Angeles (Gallagher starred in the Nov. 19 performance on which this review is based).
Comically stern and dressed to intimidate, Gallagher delivered an intelligent performance that covered the Christmas tradition, the Nativity scene and the story of Mary in a detailed, family-friendly kind of humor.
The entire stage was set up like a colorful classroom during Christmas, including a beautifully decorated tree. Each prop provided Gallagher with the opportunity to poke fun and encourage laughter. What theater visitors may not have anticipated, however, was that they were the most useful props.
Throughout the 90-minute catechism, Gallagher graciously handed out gifts for those brave enough to serve as the target for laughter. Gifts included Christmas tree ornaments, food and plenty of Whittier’s little gift boxes.
It is safe to say that the majority of the audience, or at least those who actively participated, were indeed Catholic. However, those admittedly non-Catholic participants were treated to improvised scrutiny. When performing a catechism to elicit the audience member’s views, Gallagher tried to be tactful and delightfully clever, which often made even her subjects laugh. But at times it was unclear whether they sincerely found the ridicule funny or were just being good sports. Unfortunately for this reviewer, the anticipation of being questioned and criticized by a nun, actor or not, was certainly a distraction.
Lighting was barely a factor for the show, since Gallagher seemed to want everyone as visible to her as possible. The lights were barely dimmed at the start of the play and remained that way for the entire show. If this lighting technique was an attempt to provide a more personable environment, the show might have used a little less “spotlight.”
After intermission, Gallagher turned the focus to centerstage, where a plastic, glowing Nativity scene was set up.
“This just will not do,” Gallagher said. “We don’t even have the complete Nativity scene here.”
After discarding the plastic props, she proceeded to create a completely authentic and impromptu Nativity scene by making use of the many willing volunteers in the crowd. As she found participants one by one, they took the stage for costume and make-up. By the end of the experiment, the participants were barely recognizable through tears of laughter. Gallagher did not leave out any details: Mary was dressed in robe and sheet, Joseph in his cloaks, a sheep with a shaggy bathroom mat for fur, a shepherd with his staff, and the three “wise” men.
And what of the donkey? Gallagher simply found a mirthful way to turn a person into a jackass, literally.
Gallagher has played Sister for nearly four years at various venues, including Coronet Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, Hermosa Beach Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, North Coast Repertory, Second City Los Angeles and the El Portal Theatre.
In Chicago, she maintained an excellent theater career for 18 years and has worked with acclaimed Indian director Habib Tanvir on his original musical, “A Broken Bridge.” Gallagher has also played both male and female parts in Keith Huffis’ “Birdsend.” Gallagher’s directing credits include “Oh, Art! Oh, Memory! A Tribute to Laurie Colwin” and “All the Rage,” an urban outreachshow about domestic abuse against women.
“Sister’s Christmas Catechism” is the third installment of the “Late Nite Catechism” trilogy. “Late Nite Catechism” is an award-winning comedy that continues to play in theaters, parishes, hospitals and fund-raisers across the United States and Europe. The trilogy is a project dedicated to raising money for retired religious sisters, who, year after year, make amazing contributions to education and health care across the country probono.
“Sister’s Christmas Catechism” is showing at the Theatre in Old Town Sundays through Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. though Dec. 13. All seats are $30, and the play’s material is suitable for all ages.
For additional information, holiday performances and tickets, call the Theatre in Old Town box office at (619) 688-2494 or visit www.theatreinoldtown.com.