“Catechism” extended; “Laramie” up next

Tom Titus

They’re lining up to take “Late Nite Catechism” at the Laguna

Playhouse every Monday night, so the hilarious exercise in religion

classes with a comic twist has been extended through early October.

It’s not difficult to see why. The one-woman show by Vicki Quade

and Marypat Donovan has filled the pews -- er, seats -- every Monday

night while the cast of the summer show “Harvey” takes a well-earned

respite.

The production, originally headlined by Donovan herself, but now

featuring other actresses alternating in the sister’s role, offers

the audience a chance to get into the act -- whether they want to or

not. “Sister” will aim her satirical barbs at underdressed women,

public displays of affection and anyone unfortunate enough to require

a bathroom break while “class” is in session.

Originally scheduled to run through August, “Late Nite Catechism”

will be held over through Oct. 6, with no performances planned for

Labor Day, Sept. 1, or Sept. 8. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. at

the playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, and tickets, at

$35, may be ordered by calling the playhouse at (949) 497-2787.

Meanwhile, rehearsals are under way for the playhouse’s next

production, “The Laramie Project,” which opens Sept. 13 under the

direction of Nick DeGruccio. Get all the laughs out of your system

during “Harvey” and “Catechism” because there are few, if any, to be

found in “Laramie.”

“The Laramie Project,” a joint venture by Moises Kaufman and the

Tectonic Theater Project, centers on the town of Laramie, Wyo., where

gay student Matthew Shepard was beaten to death in 1998 because of

his sexual orientation.

The play examines the residents of the mountain town and, the

reaction to and the circumstances that led up to Shepard’s murder. It

offers, according to its advance publicity, “a clear and honest

portrait of small-town America thrust onto the national stage that

leaves one with hope for humanity.”

The Laguna production will feature the cast and creative team of

last year’s production at the Colony Theater, which earned three 2002

Ovation awards -- for best play, best direction and best ensemble.

Shepard became a symbol of the damage caused by hatred and

homophobia when his brutal murder became a front-page headline across

the nation. Kaufman uses a documentary style, including interviews

with local residents both horrified by the murderers’ actions as well

as those who are more opposed to homosexuality.

A 2002 HBO movie based on the play starred Christina Ricci and

Steve Buscemi. The play uses multimedia effects, including video, to

dramatize the effect of worldwide media attention on a small town in

the rural West.

It’s not a pretty story. The two main defendants, Russell

Henderson and Aaron McKinney, pretending to be gay, lured Shepard

into their truck and drove him to a spot outside of town where they

beat him, tied him to a fence and robbed him. The young man was left

tied to the fence to die.

“The Laramie Project” will be presented through Oct. 12 at the

playhouse, with previews scheduled from Sept. 9 to 12. Call the

theater at (949) 497-2787 for ticket information.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot.