'Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold' at Long Wharf - My Review

Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven has brought back Entertainment Events’ production of Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold, by Maripat Donovan with Jane Morris and Marc Silvia to their Stage II. Better still is that Nonie Newton-Breen, who has delighted Long Wharf Theatre audiences in the past, returns in her role of Sister. This talented actress with impeccable improvisational skills that she honed at Chicago's famed Second City Theatre writes that she  is thrilled to be back again at LWT "where they treat you like family-only better." 

Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein notes that the theater is "thrilled to welcome our favorite nun back to Long Wharf Theatre for this holiday treat.” I had a complimentary ticket to attend the opening night performance, or as Sister would say, class held in the intimate black box next to the Mainstage, where August Wilson's Fences directed by Phylicia Rashad is currently running. With two shows running at the same time, the parking lot was packed to capacity; I recommend arriving very early.

I have enjoyed one other show in the series at Long Wharf. (Click here to read my review of Sister Strikes Again: Late Nite Catechsim 2.) I thought I pretty much knew what to expect, but I quickly realized that Sister had a few tricks up the sleeve of her habit for this Christmas edition.  The familiar set of the nun's classroom was decorated to the hilt for the holiday, complete with a light up lawn Nativity scene.

The show opened with a small choir made up of local talent. "The Betty Ford Rehab Choir," performed several traditional Christmas carols and invited the audience to join in. They were led by Music Director Jeremy Hutchins of New Haven and I recognized local theatre actor Don Leona as one of the singers. At the end of their set, Sister herself entered to scold them for singing secular songs.

The first act was a quick review of Catholic Christmas traditions, as only Sister can teach them. There were prizes and some regifted items for correct answers, if one was brave enough to attempt to answer a question. God help the woman whose cell phone rang early on; her adult son got an earful from Sister.

In the "holiday mystery extravaganza" that is the second act, Sister tried to answer the question of what happened to the gold brought by the Magi. A fan of CSI and the like, she used her own scientific tools, as well as a gaggle of audience members, to create a unique living nativity. Choosing the cast members from the audience and dressing them in the costumes provided by the "Ladies Guild" was a laugh riot.  They were a motley crew at best, but the audience could not stop laughing.  The biggest laughs from me were at the audience member that Sister chose to play the donkey, after playfully picking on her during the entire performance.

No two performances will be exactly alike, but rest assured that they will all be extremely funny and most enjoyable. The actress literally forgot nothing that happened and recycled bits at exactly the right time. She performs all seven shows in the highly successful Catechism series and I admire how she is able to keep them all straight in her mind. The guys in the audience seemed to be having the best time and thanked Sister on the way out of the theater. Many patrons donated to a collection for local retired nuns and everyone was given a small token at the door in the spirit of the season.

Long Wharf is very easy to get to via Rt. 63 and I counted three large menorahs lit up along the journey during Hanukkah. Christmas Catechism runs through Dec. 15 and many performance remain. Click here for more information.