Florida Rep’s “Late Nite Catechism” shows have been a bit hit, with the theatre now bringing the third in the series. FLORIDA REPERTORY THEATRE / COURTESY PHOTOS
Everyone’s favorite nun returns to Florida Repertory Theatre this month for “’Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3.”
The interactive show, written by Maripat Donovan and Marc Silvia, is the latest installment of the wildly popular “Late Nite Catechism” series and features Denise Fennell as the lovable and quick-witted “Sister” who charmed audiences last season.
The classroom-style, interactive theatrical experience combines standup comedy and improvisation that will have audiences in stitches as Sister, portrayed by Fennell, offers her unique perspectives on the sacraments of marriage and last rites. Just like in any classroom, Sister has her own set of rules and structure.
“She is a religious nun, so don’t show up in your bikini, don’t talk to your neighbor when Sister’s trying to give you a lesson. You wouldn’t do that in regular school, so don’t do it in my classroom. I’m not big on gum chewing unless I like you or you brought enough for the whole class,” Fennell said. “I think people like rules and structure, and I’m very clear about it right from the get-go. And if you break them, well, then we’re going to have a conversation about it. Nobody’s going to get hurt. We’re not allowed to hit anybody anymore. You know, if it was 20 years ago, I’d beat the hell out of Florida with my ruler, but we can’t do that anymore. But it’s fun. This is a classroom, so we are going to learn something. Everybody wants to get into the VIP section of Heaven, and I can help you.”
The “Sister” stands outside the Florida Rep Theatre in Fort Myers.
The family-friendly show will appeal to wide audiences, and Fennell emphasized that although the “Late Nite Catechism” shows are a series, they do not have to be seen in order to be fully appreciated.
“Well, here’s the thing,” said Fennell. “Don’t let the fact that it’s a full-habit nun deter anybody from any other religion from attending this performance. Everybody is welcome. It’s a safe place. I work clean. Sometimes children show up. I’m open to everything and anything, and it’s just a super fun night out.”
Denise Fennell reprises her role in “Late Nite Catechism 3.”
“Each show has a different theme,” she continued. “This one is based on the sacrament of marriage and the blessing of the sick — two very important things, right? I’m going to educate you on that a little bit. Also, there’s all these dating apps now. Everybody is looking for love — and no judgment — some find it earlier in life, some find it later in life. Some are just dating. And I’ve come up with a way to get the Catholic church involved. I’ve created something called the Compatibility Game. I haven’t really tested it out with real-life contestants yet, but I’m bringing all of my game pieces to Florida, and I’m going to try it out down there. I’ve really worked hard on it, and I think I could go straight from Florida Rep to ‘Shark Tank.’ I really believe that I’ve got something here.”
Fennell began playing Sister over 10 years ago in Chicago after meeting Donovan following a performance in a shared venue.
The “Sister” interacts with an audience member in one of the previous “Late Nite Catechism” shows.
“It’s very interesting because our paths crossed when I was working off Broadway in New York City in ‘Tony and Tina’s Wedding,’ and she was doing ‘Late Nite.’ She was playing the nun,” Fennell said. “We would use the same church, so she would be using the church after us. Maripat and I had a couple of exchanges as we passed each other in the hallway — her dressed in the full habit as ‘Sister’ and me dressed in a wedding dress as a real wise-cracking, bad-attitude bride. And somehow within those few interactions that we had, she was like, ‘You could play this role.’”
As her portrayal of Sister gained popularity, Fennell had the opportunity to reprise the role in regional theatres across the country and gained the attention of Florida Repertory Theatre’s producing artistic director, Greg Longenhagen.
“Greg has been a huge champion for me and my career and giving me the confidence as an artist to feel like I can continue to create,” Fennell said. “He has encouraged that. That’s all we need in life — for some people to just believe in us and give us the support and encouragement to continue to do what we do. He’s not somebody that’s looking at just a one-shot thing. He is curating incredible shows for his audiences for years to come. He’s thinking forward, and I appreciate that. He’s given me a home. It was almost instantaneous after I left that Greg was like, ‘This is a sequel of plays. Which one should we bring next?’ So, the one that I’m coming back with now is even more interactive with the audience. I’m actually going to invite them on stage with me now.”
FENNELL
Fennell explained that she realized early in her career that if she was going to be successful, she would likely need to write her own work. As her success with the “Late Nite Catechism” series unfolded, Fennell and her husband Rick Pasqualone also began writing plays together.
LONGENHAGEN
“The next piece that I’ll be bringing into Fort Myers, which I’m so excited about, is a play called ‘The Bride: Does this Dress Make me Look Married?’ It’s loosely based on my life. It was written by my husband and myself, and it’s about a woman of a certain age getting married and the differences of life at that point, what becomes important, the traditions that she might not want to participate in because of her age, but how important they are to your family legacy. And it’s absolutely hysterical but also extremely heartfelt in that sense,” she said.
Fennell and Pasqualone were commissioned by Stages in Houston to write a new piece called “Lessons Learned” that Fennell hopes to bring to Florida audiences in the future.
“Everybody at Florida Repertory is amazing. I’m grateful to get to do what I do. I really am. I love people, and I love getting to know people and I love being an actor. And this is all I ever wanted, really. I’m truly blessed,” said Fennell.
“’Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism.”
Classroom participation is encouraged, and audiences are in for a learning experience unlike any other as they step inside Sister’s classroom at the Florida Rep to experience “’Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism.” ¦
In the KNOW
“’Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism.”
· When: Now through July 3
· Where: Florida Repertory Theatre, Artstage Studio Theatre, 2268 Bay Street, Fort Myers
· Tickets: $67
· Info: Floridarep.org or (239) 332- 4488