Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF
’TIL DEATH DO US PART: LATE NIGHT CATECHISM 3
MARCH 31 – MAY 3, 2009Maripat Donovan returns to The Laguna Playhouse with her hysterical new show about love and marriage

LAGUNA BEACH, CA – March 11, 2009 – Class is back in session! Maripat Donovan returns to The Laguna Playhouse as everyone’s favorite “Sister” in the world premiere of ’Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3, running from March 31 – May 3, 2009. This “one-nun show” is written by Donovan with Marc Silvia, and is directed by Silvia.

The Laguna Playhouse has previously staged three of the shows in the Late Nite Catechism series: Late Nite Catechism, Late Nite Catechism 2 and Sister’s Christmas Catechism. Donovan portrayed Sister in all three productions.

’Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3 is the latest class to be unveiled in this sinfully funny series. After teaching countless students all about the saints, venial sins, guilt, limbo, and more, Sister is now offering up her hilarious lessons on the Sacraments of Marriage and Last Rites, including her own wacky version of The Newlywed Game. Classroom participation is a must, so bring along your sweetie and your sense of humor for some quality time with Sister, the feistiest new couples counselor in town. As always, each performance is unique and will appeal to people of all ages and faiths.

“Every performance is different, but that’s what makes it more interesting and more exciting—you never know what you’re going to get,” says Donovan. “By talking to people during the show, I get to know who is who, who we should pick on and who to leave alone. It’s a skill you develop over the years of doing interactive theater.”

Performance & Ticket Information:

Ticket Prices: $30 to $70

Previews:
March 31 – April 3, 2009

Opening Night Gala:
Saturday, April 4, 2009: 7:30 p.m.
(By invitation only and press night)

Regular Performances
April 5 – May 3, 2009

Tuesday – Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Thursday matinees April 2 & 16 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday evening April 26 at 7:00 p.m.

Special Student Ticket Pricing: $15 - $20
(All Performances except Friday/Saturday evenings)

Special Half Price Tickets for Teachers and Military with ID
(All Performances except Friday/Saturday evenings)
FOR INFORMATION & TO PURCHASE TICKETS:
CALL: 949.497.ARTS (2787)
GROUP SALES: 949.497.2787 ext. 229
VISIT: http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com/
MOULTON THEATRE: 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California

"Ella" Reviews Online

Ella
March 04, 2009
By Les Spindle
http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/other_news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003947911

In this 2007 bio-musical, making its West Coast debut, Tina Fabrique takes the role of Ella Fitzgerald (1917–96), a jazz singer whose stellar stage and television appearances and remarkable recording career (netting 13 Grammys) earned her the nickname "first lady of song." Although Jeffrey Hatcher's skeletal book provides interesting details about the entertainer's largely guarded personal life, culminating in a heart-rending finale, what makes this piece such a treasure is Fabrique's bravura delivery of 23 Fitzgerald hits, backed by a scintillating four-man onstage combo.

Looking elegant in gowns designed by Alejo Vietti, Fabrique bears a strong physical resemblance to Fitzgerald. Though Fabrique's vocal instrument sounds quite different from Fitzgerald's, it's powerful and technically accomplished. Fabrique expertly captures the 'scat' style Fitzgerald was known for. Fabrique's first-rate singing and formidable stage presence convincingly evoke the aura of a legendary performer. But above all, her renditions are simply a joy to hear -- from the playful exuberance of "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" (written by Fitzgerald and Van Alexander) to the myriad emotions of Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies" to the lilting grace of the Gershwin brothers' " 'S Wonderful."

The framing device is Fitzgerald's 1996 live appearance in Nice, France, a week after the death of her beloved half-sister. Fitzgerald's longtime producer, Norman Granz (Harold Dixon), urges her to let down her defenses a little -- drop one song in favor of adding more patter and open up about her personal grief. This prompts her to share tidbits about her life with the audience, leading into songs illuminating the various incidents. This is essentially a solo play: Dixon's appearance is fleeting, and the musicians (pianist-conductor George Caldwell, drummer Rodney Harper, bassist Clifton Kellem, and trumpeter Thad Wilson) deliver scattered lines of dialogue. In one delightful sequence, Wilson joins Fitzgerald in duet, pulling off a knockout imitation of Louis Armstrong. Rob Ruggiero's direction is taut and seamless, design elements are classy, and Danny Holgate's music supervision and arrangements soar. As for Fabrique, another Gershwin brothers song that she croons sums it up best: "Oh, Lady Be Good."