AGNES OF GOD–WORTH THE TRIP

11. October 2009 by admin.

AGNES OF GOD—WORTH THE TRIP!

Once again, Off The Wall Theatre in Washington PA creates a performance that is worth the trip from Pittsburgh!

This time it’s John Pielmeier’s drama AGNES OF GOD.

A dead baby has been found in the wastebasket of young, pious Sister Agnes (Erica Cuenca).  A court appointed psychiatrist Dr. Martha Livingston (Virginia Wall Gruenert) has been assigned to judge her competency.  As the doctor tries to uncover what really happened during the night in question, she encounters a brick wall in the form of the Mother Superior (Ingrid Sonnichsen).

The beauty of AGNES OF GOD is that—not only does it offer three strong roles for women—it raises all sorts of questions about religion, faith and  psychiatry without ever taking sides.  And in the end, it is up to the audience to ponder the answers.  Like Doubt, another play about religion and faith, Agnes of God will keep you thinking (and talking) about the play long after the curtain has rung down.

Sonnichsen gives a delightful performance.  Her Mother Superior is feisty and tough-as-nails, but also has compassion and a sense of humor.

As Dr. Livingston, Gruenert, too, has a strong edge—yet shows her soft side when she deals with Sister Agnes.  There’s an old saying about “scratch a cynic and find a romantic,” and Gruenert manages to embody that old adage to perfection.

At the center of this play is, of course, Sister Agnes.  Cuenca gives a remarkable performance.  It is a complex role, and this young actress manages to find all the layers.  One never knows if she is an innocent child, a mad woman who hears voices and has visions, a murderer or a saint.  Cuenca embodies all of it—and gets the chance to display a beautiful singing voice as well!

Director Maggie Balsley has kept the pace of the play moving swiftly—eliminating the intermission and no blackouts for set changes.  It pays off as we are rewarded with a powerful ninety minutes of drama and three star-turn performances.

Paul A. Shaw’s set is beautiful and manages to make the tiny stage at Off The Wall look much, much bigger than it truly is.  With its beautiful hard wood floor to the rough hewn beams framing the stucco walls, is magnificently detailed and—best of all— assists in the flow of the performance.  Lighting by Brant Garda has a warm, candle-lit glow and (like the play itself) gives us a world of light and shadow.

The only disappointment in the evening was the poor attendance. 

Off The Wall has established a strong track record of strong professional productions with powerful performances.  AGNES OF GOD is no exception.  Their beautiful and intimate theatre space deserves to be filled. The productions there rival anything at any other professional theatre in Pittsburgh.

So take a drive to Washington, enjoy the beautiful fall foliage as well as a spectacular show.  You’ll be glad you did.

See AGNES OF GOD.

AGNES OF GOD runs through October 17.  Call PROArts for tickets

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