For the week of March 26 - April 1, 2003

Women on a journey toward faith

Agnes of God staged at St. Thomas

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

The search for spirituality, the judgments bout it and the fights over it invade our daily life. Maybe invade is the wrong word here, though it’s much on all our minds.

Each year the valley seems to take on, without prior notice, similar themes.

Currently, two plays that revolve around religion are being staged on succeeding weekends. The comedy "The Bible: The Complete Word of God (Abridged)" continues this weekend at nexStage Theatre in Ketchum.

And next weekend, St. Thomas Playhouse presents "Agnes of God" by John Pielmeier, running April 11 through 15 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ketchum.

Directed by Anna Johnson, "Agnes of God" is not a comedy, though it has its share of quips, sarcastic digs and touches of humor. Rather, it’s a thought provoking three-woman drama that questions religion but supplies no easy answers. Instead, members of the audience are encouraged to use their own brains while pondering the mysterious subject.

The mystery involves a young nun, Agnes, played by Kathleen Craig, who gives birth in a convent. The baby is found dead, but Agnes remembers nothing about the conception, pregnancy, birth or murder. To investigate, the court has assigned a prickly, atheist psychiatrist, Dr. Livingstone, played by Helen Hudson. A battle explodes between the protective Mother Superior, played by Danielle Kennedy, and Livingstone over Agnes, their religious beliefs and their own pasts.

"The spiritual journey in the play is not about Agnes," said Brian Baker, the rector at St. Thomas. "The play is about the two women."

Kennedy concurred. "It’s a faith journey between two people."

Indeed if the chemistry of the cast is indicative of the interactions between Baker and Johnson, then the play has been perfectly cast. Craig smiles and keeps mostly silent, while Hudson and Kennedy hash out ideas. Johnson and Baker speak up with the firm voice of conviction, that is, when they can get a word in edge ways.

"I’m thrilled to be working with Kath and Helen and Anna," Kennedy said. "I’m giving up my board presidency of Company of Fools and getting back to acting."

"Agnes of God" is a bold and unsettling drama. Agnes can remember nothing of who the father may have been. Mother Miriam Ruth would prefer to believe in a miracle, while Livingstone wants to find the truth.

At a time when zealotry is playing out on the grand stage of life, the play has timely conundrums with which to deal.

"You can’t blame everything on religion," Kennedy, a devout Catholic, said. "Catholic, atheist or whatever. It’s a cop out. Religion is different from faith. It's faith that sees us through. Faith that Agnes possesses. There’s something divine, not human about her. This is the clash between the human and the divine."

One of Kennedy’s aunts was a nun, and she grew up around many of her aunt’s colleagues. "Every nun I ever knew was ahead of her time with strong convictions," she said. "It’s so easy to personalize this."

Hudson, on the other hand, said, "I came in with my Catholic prejudice."

"And I nail her for it," Kennedy laughed.

Mother Miriam Ruth and Livingstone, through Agnes, ultimately forge a relationship despite their differing opinions.

"The whole thing is about our humanity. Our ability to forgive each other is miraculous," Kennedy said.

The casting, therefore, was essential. In the 1982 Broadway play, Amanda Plummer was Agnes, Elizabeth Ashley played the doctor and the exceptional Geraldine Page was Mother Miriam Ruth.

Craig, who played Joan of Arc in a production of "The Lark" last year said, "Joan and Agnes are sort of the same. Both are possessed by God, I think. They both have a burden but don’t want it."

Johnson believes staging the show at the church gives it a sense of safety. "Our environment enables us to look at a show like ‘Agnes of God’ or others with spiritual themes."

This play is the first offering of St. Thomas Playhouse’s Lenten series, where once a year a dramatic work will be produced that "challenges the mind and soul with questions about the mystery of God’s presence in our lives," Johnson said. "It’s important to have venues where we can address different subjects of faith,"

Baker agreed. "I think it’s important it’s done in a church. The church is not a place for easy answers and platitudes, but a place to be vulnerable by confronting your fears and our world. It’s a place where you can ask questions."

There is a saying that God enters your soul through a wound. "In this piece you have to have a safe place to cut through the wounds," Kennedy said. "This team and this ensemble is the safe space. My dear friend Anna, my daughter, my new friend Helen, and my dear friend Brian’s church. I’m hoping that comes through."

In fact, Kennedy and Craig are mother and daughter, who’re acting together for the first time. Kennedy has been in several Company of Fools productions, including "The Dead" and "True West" with Bruce Willis.

Craig, a senior at The Community School in Sun Valley has just finished a run as the Queen in the musical "Once Upon a Mattress." Besides, Joan of Arc, she also played Anne Frank in the Company of Fool’s "And Then They Came For Me."

Hudson has been a working singer and actress for over two decades, in TV, film and off-Broadway She is also in the Guinness World Book of Records for singing the National Anthem in every major league stadium in the country.

"Agnes of God" features music direction by Dick Brown. A choir is present throughout, though not on stage.

"Agnes sings in order to communicate with God and to ground her spirit," Johnson said. "It’s a joyful experience for her. I hear music throughout this piece, not just when Agnes is singing."

Johnson musical insertions are unusual for this play but her director’s vision has resonance.

"I was inspired by my upbringing in the South listening to Southern Baptist singers. Hymns are incorporated into the piece. I believe these hymns can support the story in a really beautiful way."

There also is integration between the Buddhist and Christian sensibilities. Bob Dix, a practicing Buddhist, designed the set and Amy Clifford supplies chanting. Connor Wade, a student at The Community School, has created an original piece of music for the show that he will play on his electric violin.

"I believe sound is universal and that’s what I want to convey in this piece. There are universal sounds which I believe speak to all of us," Wade said.

A panel discussion will follow the show on April 12 with panelists Diane Crist, Amy Clifford, Sally Donart, Ed Siegel from The Walker Center, Rev. Baker, Susan Mann and members of the Department of Health and Welfare.

Tickets are available at Chapter One Bookstore in Ketchum after March 29 or by calling 726-5349 ext. 13. They are $15 for adults and $10 for youth 15-18 years old.

 

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