Since her first appearance at the Hermosa Playhouse back in October of 2001, Maripat Donovan and her writing partner, Vickie Quade, have brought South Bay audiences to their knees with laughter. Her one-woman shows, “Late Nite Catechism,” Late Nite Catechism II,” and, now, “Late Nite Catechism Christmas,” create a parochial school atmosphere where free will, the relationship between God and man, sainthood and the disappearance of the Magi's gold are humorously explained via order, discipline, fear, guilt and modern forensic science. Whether scripted or free form improvisation, Sister Maripat blends wit with theological contradictions for genuine gut-wrenching, knee-slapping humor.

Like her two previous shows, “Late Nite Catechism Christmas” is primarily audience participation. The house lights are left up during the show, so the sister's steely-eyed gaze is better able to dress down or humiliate sarcasm, whispering or the derivative religious affiliation. “For Lutherans, Methodists, and Baptists, the Virgin Mary has a supporting role in the nativity; she pops out the baby Jesus and is put on the back burner until next year.”

Donovan has a strong presence that is accompanied by an extra-starched habit and floor-length rosary beads that are thick enough to pull a Peterbilt truck. The Sunday matinee's older and experienced audience had their collective backs straight, eyes forward and their nervous, sweaty hands folded on their laps. Fortunately, Sister Maripat exudes a maternal essence that is seasoned with a salt-of-the-earth quality. This projected warmth humorously undermines her severe outward demeanor. It was interesting to see the mature, Sunday matinee audience seeking her approval. Particularly while she was asking for classroom participation when creating her own nativity crime scene, complete with glowing baby Jesus. The sister is always ready to hand out a Christmas gift to the well-mannered and knowledgeable theater patron: holiday cards, nativity kaleidoscopes or candy cane-flavored “Christmas Peeps.” With wit, humor and clever hermeneutics (do not be foolish enough to test this woman on the Bible), Donovan holds her audience in the palm of her hands. To have an audience laugh, squirm, contemplate their relationship with God and solve the case of the missing Magi gold would make “Late Nite Catechism Christmas” a true holiday miracle.

“Sister's Christmas Catechism: ‘The Mystery of the Magi's Gold'” runs through Sunday, Nov. 18. The regular schedule is Thursday through Saturdays at 8 p.m. There will also be a 2 p.m. matinee Nov. 18.

FRITZ COLEMAN:
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