| April 2006 I Issue 20 |
Attention class—it’s pop quiz time.
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What’s better than Late Nite Catechism, the sensational one-woman (make that “one-nun”) show that involves an audience gathered in a “classroom” for a refresher course taught by tough, sarcastic and devastatingly funny Sister?
Answer: Late Nite Catechism 2, the popular sequel to the outrageous original that – in addition to multi-year runs at theaters around the country – played at The Laguna Playhouse for two years and was seen by over 24,000 people before closing last July.
Late Nite Catechism 2 opened shortly after Late Nite Catechism closed, and has been playing to packed houses most Monday nights.
The show’s creator, Maripat Donovan, admits that the popularity of Late Nite Catechism, which incorporates her experiences growing up Catholic in Chicago as well as stories and experiences from friends and family members, initially took her by surprise.
When it first opened in Chicago, I thought it might run 12 performances, but it caught on and it’s been playing there for 13 years,” says Donovan, now a resident of Los Angeles who frequently plays Sister for local and national productions. “It’s also played for many years in Los Angeles, New Orleans, St. Louis, New York—all over. It’s been a great fundraising tool for theaters.”
Speaking of tools, Donovan worked for many years as a general contractor in Chicago while honing her acting chops. She not only acts on stage, she builds them, too. “I mostly use the contractor experience for myself now, but I can still pitch in and build sets and stages when I need to,” she states.
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Donovan says she enjoys performing in Laguna Beach because of the enthusiastic audience response to the show. “They really come out to have a good time,” observes Donovan. “I love The Laguna Playhouse. It’s so much fun down there.
Also In this Issue: |
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Meet Amy Larson, Director of Individual Giving at The Laguna Playhouse |
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