Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You by Christopher Durang

June 8-July 7, 2012
Gunston Theatre Two (directions)

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Helen Hayes-honored director Joe Banno makes his American Century Theater stage debut with playwright Christopher Durang’s first TACT appearance, a hard-nosed comedy that takes on religion, dogma, and the Catholic Church.

Banno considers Durang's play more a documentary exposé than satire.  “Savagely funny, the play feels strikingly contemporary in its dealings with social issues like abortion, women's rights, gay rights and domestic violence in the context of so-called ‘Christian’ compassion,” says Banno.  This is a theater piece that still delivers the laughs -- and chills -- a generation after it was written.

Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You premiered in New York in 1979 and won an Obie Award in 1980. The play's stark criticism of the Catholic Church ignited controversy around the country. Some conservative Catholics were offended by the play's stereotyping, and in St. Louis and Boston, major protests against the play occurred. Although unsuccessful, attempts were made in those cities to keep the play from being produced. And in St. Louis, two state senators attempted to pass a law penalizing theaters that refused to promise not to present plays audiences might find offensive.

Each performance of Sister Mary will be followed by a lively post-show discussion about issues raised by the play.

The role of Sister Mary Ignatius is played by celebrated DC actress Cam Magee. The ensemble includes Grant Cloyd as Gary, Tiffany Garfinkle as Diane, Anne Nottage as Philomena, Arturo Tolentino as Aloysius, and Colin Trinity as Thomas.

Steve Royal is the Set Designer, Ed Moser is the Sound Designer and Trena Weiss-Null is the Lighting Designer. Cheryl Patton Wu is the Costumer and Kevin Laughon is the Props Designer. Brill is Master Carpenter and Baron Pugh is the Stage Manager.





Running time: approximately one hour.
Please note: There will be a talkback following every performance of Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You.