Review: DIET OF WORMS Breaks Taboos as Well as Religious Relics in Historic Landmark Church

Chalk Repertory Theatre presents the World Premiere and Immersive Production of Diet of Worms, a Reformation Comedy by Tom Jacobson, set in St. John's Episcopal Church near USC, the group's performance home for the next 3 years. The Historic Landmark was built in 1925 with a Romanesque Revival architectural style and includes lovely stained glass windows which deserve to been seen during daylight hours.

Set in Germany in 1523 when women had few lifestyle choices open to them, the play offers a very modern reimagining of key events in the life of historic figure Katharina von Bora, a nun who became the wife of Martin Luther, German leader of the Protestant Reformation. Beyond what is found in the writings of Luther and some of his contemporaries, little is known about Katharina. Despite this, she is often considered one of the most important participants of the Reformation because of her role in helping to define Protestant family life and setting the tone for clergy marriages.

The audience is led around to many different settings in the large cathedral by five medieval German nuns who speak in very modern English (including much cursing) as they go about their duties while rehearsing a religious play to combat the rising defiance of the strict religious training offered by their church as opposed to the more lenient teachings of the rising Lutheran Church. As it has throughout history, the presentation of the play leads to each of the nuns exploring their own beliefs, coming to decisions which lead them in different directions.

Director Jennifer Chang has assembled a very talented and multicultural cast of women including Lorene Chesley, Elizabeth Ho, Rebecca Kaasa, Morgan Pavey, Keiana Richard, Kenia Romero and Inger Tudor, each of whom present very their characters effectively in the large and echoing space. Chang puts the women through their paces, often having them run around the cathedral, pushing large fish barrels, or acting out horses as they travel to other places to present their play.

Rececca Kaasa portrays Eva Grosse, a married and pregnant Jewish woman sent to hide with the nuns until her child is born due to the anti-Semitism prevailing in her home town. Eva challenges the nuns' beliefs, lacking their reverence for the Christian relics they worship. Her questioning leads to the nuns presenting the play based on stories not included in the Bible for being too controversial, and Kaasa skillfully presents a very modern woman forced into a life which she does not understand or wish to live. Her transformation into a believer is a joy to behold.

Inger Tudor wonderfully portrays the strict but illiterate Mother Abbess as the mother hen leading and protecting her chicks until they no longer wish to follow her rules thanks to Eva' interference in her teachings. Keiana Richard's energetic performance as Sister Katherina, the young nun who is the niece of the Mother Abbess who eventually leaves the church and marries Marin Luther, shares the many emotional and heartfelt moments so thoroughly you will certainly walk away feeling her sense of freedom once she moves forward with her life. Elizabeth Ho as the playwriting nun Sister Fronika and Lorene Chesley as Sister Lanita, round out the cast of nuns, each adding clever bits of modern rebellion to their characters.

Diet of Worms is a part of Chalk Rep's seventh season of presenting classical and contemporary plays in unconventional spaces around Los Angeles County. Performance continue on Thursdays and Fridays at 7pm, and Saturdays at 2pm and 7pm through June 27 at St. John's Cathedral, located at 514 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007. There is free onsite parking.

Tickets are $20 June 4-6, $25 June 11-13, $30 June 18-20, $35 June 25-27. For more information about Chalk Repertory Theatre, its 2015 season, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.chalkrep.com.

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