BWW REVIEWS: SISTER’S CHRISTMAS CATECHISM at ACT

ACT has once again brought back everyone's favorite Sister from their popular "Late Nite Catechisms" for the newest installment for the holidays, "Sister's Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi's Gold".  And the Sister has never been funnier. 

For those that have not attended Sister's class before, pull up a pew and I'll explain.  Sister treats the show as her Sunday School class and she is here to teach us all we need to know about Catholicism and in this case all about the Christmas spirit.  And along the way she's taken it upon herself to solve a long standing mystery of what happened to the gold the Magi brought for the baby Jesus?  As she says, "We know what happened to the myrrh and frankincense - Mary used them as a sort of potpourri.  They were in a barn after all.  But who was the culprit who made off with the gold coins and left Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus in that lousy stable without any chance to upgrade to a suite?"  And she does this with tools she has learned from her favorite TV show, "Forensic Files" as well as a little help from the audience.  Yes, this is an audience interactive show so if that's not your thing then don't sit up front and don't draw any attention to yourself.  Or else you may be part of the show. 

And what a show it is.  Aubrey Manning plays Sister (as she has done for ACT for over a decade now) and the part does not seem stale or old for her at all.  She inhabits the habit and takes off from the moment she steps on stage.  And Manning really knows her religious trivia.  As she's calling on people in the audience she is right there with bits of trivia about the saintly connections of their names or even the orders who taught them when they were in Catholic School.  She was a joy to watch and very funny.  

Joining the Sister on stage for this holiday outing are various choirs from the area to lend a musical hand in fleshing out the season and more importantly who made off with the gold.  I don't want to say too much more as I don't want to give anything away.  Let me just say that this is a delightful departure from the ordinary holiday shows and musicals around town.  So if you're looking for something a little different this holiday season, head on down to ACT and take your seats in Sister's class.  And don't be late or you will be in trouble with the Sister (as some ladies in front of me found out as they came back late from intermission).  Oh and if you're worried about not getting the jokes if you're not Catholic, don't.  That's what Sister is there for, to teach us everything we need to know.  And she does it with enthusiasm, heart and a ton of laughs.  Now settle down class.  Sister is speaking and this is not public school! 

"Sister's Christmas Catechism" plays at Seattle's ACT through January 3^rd, 2010.  For tickets or information contact the ACT box office at 206-292-7676 or visit them online at www.acttheatre.org.