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Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You

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349:, and two halves of a camel. The four remind Sister that she had asked them to come in and perform the pageant they once performed in her class. After the pageant, it becomes apparent that the four have strayed from her teaching; Diane has had two abortions (the first one from a rape at age 18), Philomena is an unwed mother, Aloysius is an alcoholic who beats his wife and is thinking about suicide, and Gary is gay. They reveal that they were never asked to come in and merely wanted to embarrass Sister. They each have their own reason for hating her; Aloysius was refused bathroom privileges frequently and now has bladder problems, Philomena recalls being hit by Sister for being a poor student, Gary is there on behalf of his boyfriend Jeff, and Diane had believed Sister until her world came crashing down when her mother died of breast cancer and she was raped the same day. Diane reveals that she has brought a gun to kill Sister, something the other three were not aware of. Sister grabs a gun from behind her lectern and shoots Diane in self-defense. She also shoots Gary, proclaiming that she has sent him to heaven, as he went to confession earlier that day. She then points the gun at Aloysius, who needs to go to the bathroom, before handing it to Thomas to take a nap. The play ends with Thomas pointing the gun at Aloysius while explaining the perfections of God, Diane and Gary's dead bodies on the floor, and Sister asleep. 43: 386:, major protests against the play occurred. Attempts were made to keep the play from being produced, though they were unsuccessful in stopping it in St. Louis or Boston. In St. Louis, two state senators attempted to pass a law penalizing theatres that did not promise not to present plays people might find offensive, but after much publicity, the bill failed in committee. 458: 396:
to the controversy, focused on efforts to close the play in St. Louis. Video clips of the Los Angeles production were shown during the program, and box office increased greatly in New York and Los Angeles after the program.
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in New York City and was directed by Jerry Zaks. It was a critical success and moved to off-Broadway where it ran for two and a half years. As the run went on, other actresses took over the role of Sister:
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questions and gives him a cookie for every right answer. Half-way into her speech, four of her former students, Gary Sullivan, Diane Symonds, Philomena Rostovich, and Aloysius Benheim, enter dressed as
879: 544: 260:, as Diane. the emotionally wounded girl who threatens Sister's life, Mary Catherine Wright as Philomena, the unwed mother, Timothy Landfield as Gary, the polite gay one, and young 600: 648: 375:
production by the Off-Tryon Theatre Company that the lead's "too gentle demeanor failed to convince me she was the Sister Mary Ignatius who terrified children into obedience".
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wrote that "the script is brilliant in its grasp of the ironic inconsistencies between Catholic doctrine and practical reality" while noting in her review of the original
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The play's stark criticism of Catholicism eventually led to controversy. Some conservative Catholics were offended by the play's stereotyping, and in
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wrote, "only a writer of real talent can write an angry play that remains funny and controlled even in its most savage moments.
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In 1981, the play was presented again, this time on a double bill with a new Durang one-act,
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in New York City. It was performed on a bill with one-act plays that included works by
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and 10-year-old Shane Butterworth. In San Francisco, Sister Mary was played by
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This article is about the 1979 stage play. For the 2001 film adaptation, see
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confirms that Christopher Durang is just such a writer". Lynn Trenning of
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For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf
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named Sister Mary Ignatius explains to the audience the basic tenets of
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played Sister Mary. Thomas was played alternately by seven-year-old
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A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant
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The double bill—featuring 209:Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You 193:Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You 142:Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You 18:Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You 767: 753: 552: 538: 127:Learn how and when to remove this message 681:Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge 484: 14: 1125: 585:The Nature and Purpose of the Universe 235:for her role as Sister Mary Ignatius. 804:Six Characters in Search of an Author 776:Obie Award for Best New American Play 748: 533: 1012:The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity 456: 65:adding citations to reliable sources 36: 705:Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike 400: 24: 1163:Religious controversies in theatre 844:The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel 485:Tenning, Lynn (16 February 2001). 25: 1174: 1094:What the Constitution Means to Me 512: 1138:Criticism of the Catholic Church 864:When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? 593:The Vietnamization of New Jersey 405:The play was made into a movie, 41: 459:"THEATER: ONE-ACTERS BY DURANG" 457:Rich, Frank (22 October 1981). 52:needs additional citations for 601:A History of the American Film 525:Internet Off-Broadway Database 478: 450: 440: 203: 13: 1: 649:The Marriage of Bette and Boo 434: 998:Circle Mirror Transformation 352: 7: 1158:Plays by Christopher Durang 732:Sister Mary Explains It All 408:Sister Mary Explains It All 248:, she played the glamorous 160:December 14, 1979 32:Sister Mary Explains It All 10: 1179: 974:The Romance of Magno Rubio 828:The Indian Wants the Bronx 392:devoted a full episode of 328:At a Christmas lecture, a 29: 27:Play by Christopher Durang 1072:Underground Railroad Game 960:Hedwig and the Angry Inch 926:Love! 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Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You
Sister Mary Explains It All

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Christopher Durang
Ensemble Studio Theatre
Christopher Durang
Ensemble Studio Theatre
David Mamet
Marsha Norman
Tennessee Williams
Obie Award
Elizabeth Franz
The Actor's Nightmare
Sarah Siddons
Polly Draper
Mark Stefan
Playwrights Horizons
Nancy Marchand
Kathleen Chalfant
Mary Louise Wilson

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