Trustus Presents SISTER MARY In The Black Box, Opens 6/3

Trustus Theatre first produced Christopher Durang's Obie winning comedy Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You in 1990, and followed that highly successful production with two more in their tenth and sixteenth seasons. Now in 2010, while celebrating their 25th Anniversary, Trustus is bringing the hilarious antics of Sister Mary Ignatius to the intimate Trustus Black Box on Thursday June 3rd, at 7:30pm.

Christopher Durang's Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You revolves around a nun, Sister Mary Ignatius, explaining to the audience the basic tenets of Catholicism. She is assisted by her favorite student, seven-year-old Thomas. From time to time, she asks him catechism questions and gives him a cookie for every right answer. Half-way into her "lecture", some of her former students, now grown up, enter to perform a mock Christmas pageant from their childhood days and reveal to Sister Mary the deep psychological trauma her teachings left on them. Sister Mary's unwavering dogma, combined with the absurdist nature of the play, add elements of raucous comedy.

"This show is just a lot of fun," said Jim Thigpen, Artistic Director of Trustus Theatre. "We get so many calls inquiring if we're producing a comedy, so we're glad to bring this hilarious show back to Columbia to give our audiences lots of laughs while still engaging their intelligence." This is the fourth production of this Trustus comedy classic.

Popular Columbia theatre artist Robin Gottlieb, whom audiences will remember as Maureen in Rent and as Eva Peron in Evita; is helming the project as the director. "Robin has a great understanding of comedic timing," said Thigpen. "She did a wonderful job directing our successful production of Nunsense Amen, so we wanted to get her back on this side of the table to bring Sister Mary to life in the Black Box."

With Gottlieb at the helm, an exciting cast was assembled. "This cast is finding all the hilarity in this script," said Gottlieb. "I couldn't ask for a funnier group to work with." Cindy Durrett (Evita, Hair) who has played Sister Mary before will be returning to portray the hilarious nun/lecturer of the evening. Trustus Company members Clint Poston (Love! Valour! Compassion!) and Toby Taylor (The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told) will be portraying some of Sister Mary's returning students along with Becca Cromer and Chelsea Crook making their Trustus debuts. Also appearing on the Trustus stage for the first time is young talent Caleb Emerson portraying Thomas, Sister Mary's cookie-rewarded assistant.

The cast and crew of the show are also enthralled to be welcoming "Baby Julie" back to the Trustus stage to play baby Jesus. "‘Baby Julie' is a doll that belongs to Jim Thigpen's daughter," laughed Gottlieb. "She has appeared in so many shows here at Trustus in the past 25 years, and she's been lent to us from Chicago on a very strict contract...her pre-show tea has to be at precisely 132 degrees."

Needless to say, the production team of Sister Mary Explains It All for You is having a great time preparing for their opening in the Trustus Black Box at 7:30pm on Thursday, June 3rd. The show will run through Saturday June 12th, and the doors open thirty minutes prior to curtain. With tickets competitively priced at $12, Columbia audiences won't want to miss this unique evening of laughs and Catholicism.

Trustus Theatre is located at 520 Lady Street, behind the Gervais St. Publix. Parking is available on Lady St. The Trustus Black Box Theatre is located on the Huger St. side of the building, through the glass doors.

To make reservations, patrons can call the box office Tuesdays through Saturdays 1-6 pm at 803-254-9732. They can also visit www.trustus.org for all show information and season info.

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