‘Catechism’ leaving, but sequel on the way

TOM TITUS

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the classroom ...

“Late Nite Catechism,” a “dark night” fill-in that caught on with

audiences and ran for almost two years at the Laguna Playhouse,

finally will be departing with a closing performance June 20, but

don’t think you’ve completely escaped the Sister’s caustic comments.

There’s going to be a sequel.

“Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold” is

ticketed for a late-year engagement from Nov. 21 through Dec. 23 at

the playhouse, and it’s described as “CSI Meets Bethlehem.”

Oh, and Sister has subtitled her presentation “Sometimes we feel

guilty because we are guilty.” Audiences may consider themselves

warned.

Some 13 years ago, Maripat Donovan, creator and co-author of “Late

Nite Catechism,” came up with an idea that evolved into one of the

most popular one-person shows in theater history -- certainly the

most popular in Laguna, where it opened in the summer of 2003 and is

still entertaining audiences on selected Monday evenings.

Now, after 11 years, 156 cities and over 38,000 performers,

Maripat is back with a whole new concept, which she’ll share with

playhouse audiences for at least the scheduled month-long run of

“dark night” performances. If this show catches on the way the first

one did, who knows how long it could last?

“Sister’s Christmas Catechism” focuses on the opinionated nun as

she solves the mystery of what happened to the Magi’s gold through a

forensic examination of the nativity scene. As always, nothing is

sacred in Sister’s classroom, except her opinion.

Tickets will go on sale for “Sister’s Christmas Catechism” Sept. 1

and are priced from $39 to $49. Performances are scheduled for Nov.

21 and 28 and Dec. 5, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23.

For more information and to purchase tickets to the current “Late

Nite Catechism,” call the playhouse at (949) 497-2787.