CENTERblog

Late Nite Catechism
by Terra Laughton - West Anchorage High School

Late Nite Catechism, running through Sunday February 21st at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, is an engaging satirical performance worth attending. Diana Carl, playing Sister, single-handedly brings her tightly-run classroom to the Discovery Theatre. In her tenth year playing Sister, Carl portrays the perfect raised eyebrows, lilting tone and boring glare of a feisty nun. In a uniquely interactive performance, audience members are forced to give their first, middle and Confirmation names before answering a vocabulary question or after (heaven forbid) disrupting class. Their reward? A holographic Saint card, a small statue of Joseph or a sheet of Adam and Eve stickers, delivered by Sister herself. Although Sister’s class curriculum guided the performance, Carl brilliantly weaved well-executed improvised jokes and plenty of public punishments into the script. Not Catholic? Not a problem. The humor is very accessible although most appreciated by those whose “parents cared about them enough” to send them to Catholic school. Originally conceived and produced at the Live Bait Theatre in Chicago, Late Nite Catechism was well received here in Anchorage. “Students” were on their feet as Sister exited the classroom, not onstage but through the aisles. Late Nite Catechism is spontaneous but not nerve wracking, biting but not offensive, and best of all, true to life! It’s great entertainment and Sister will be thrilled to see you there.

Late Nite Catechism
Anchorage Concert Association
Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 7:30pm
Atwood Concert Hall