The hit show Late Nite Catechism comes to Providence for a limited run in the Dowling Theater at Trinity Repertory Company. Sure to be a hilarious evening, Late Nite Catechism strikes a resonant chord with everyone who survived the ups and downs of going to school with an omniscient authoritarian at the helm.

Late Nite Catechism, written by Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan, is an uproarious piece of theater that takes audience members back – sometimes nostalgically, sometimes fearfully– to the children they once were.  The irrepressible Sister teaches an adult catechism class to a roomful of “students” (the audience).  Over the course of the play, Sister goes from benevolent instructor, rewarding the “students” for correct answers with glow-in-the-dark rosaries and laminated saint cards, to authoritative drill sergeant.  Spit out your gum and get ready for Sister’s hilarious mix of comedy, nostalgia, and Catholic dogma in an adult remedial class just for you.

The Catholic Register (Toronto) said, “The show appeals to Catholics and non-Catholics alike since ‘Sister’ clearly explains religious references in lighthearted ways while maintaining a serious tone that isn’t too preachy and far from being saccharine.” The New York Times in 1996 declared “Late Nite Catechism speaks to an audience much broader than the membership of any one church.”

Late Nite Catechism was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award in New York and Maripat Donovan  won the L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Lead Performance. It is the longest running one woman show in Off-Broadway history and is such in the cities of Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, St. Louis, Scottsdale, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.

Late Nite Catechism made its debut May 28, 1993 at the Live Bait Theatre in Chicago, Illinois and since then has grossed over $100 million in box office receipts. It has been presented in over 410 cities around the world, has played six countries with over 3.5 million people in attendance. The show has raised over $4 million for retired Sisters and Catholic Organizations.