BWW Reviews: L.A. Theatre Works Presents Charles Busch's Hilarious Homage to Movie Nuns THE DIVINE SISTER

On July 11, 2013, I was sitting in the James Bridges Theater watching the taping of THE DIVINE SISTER starring Charles Busch (Mother Superior) and members of the original Off Broadway cast, Alison Fraser (Sister Walburga) and Julie Halston (Sister Acacius). Joining them on stage were Emily Bergl (Agnes), Maxwell Caulfield (Jeremy, Brother Venerius) and his wife Juliet Mills (MrS. Levinson). On November 7, 2013, I listened to the recorded broadcast and noticed quite a few differences from being in the audience watching the presentation to just listening to the play being read on the airwaves.

I first heard the phrase "theater of the mind" a long time ago, referring to radio programs in which only words and sounds created whatever the mind could imagine. Images, stories and theater came to life using only one of the senses, the sense of hearing, with the listener not being distracted by gestures and the physicality of the actors.

I must say I now better understand how the power of our imagination and our sense of hearing can inspire the mind to create a vision well beyond the written word or watching actors acting out the story. For without the distraction of watching the actors "act" the characters, while listening you can close your eyes and create the characters as your mind sees them, often not even realizing when an actor is playing more than one role if the voices are so distinct you cannot tell which actor is playing the role.

As I was listening, even though I know Charles Busch is playing Mother Superior, my mind was creating her as a woman as she embodied Maria Rainer (from The Sound of Music), Sister Aloysius from Doubt, and everyone in between. Drawing from (more or less) every nun movie ever made, he's created for himself a character of a spirited-yet-far-from-pure leader of St. Veronica's convent in Pittsburgh who proves beyond a doubt that funniness is next to holiness - at least as far as the theatre is concerned.

St. Veronica's, you see, is in danger of closing, but both Mother Superior and the Mistress of Novices, Sister Acacius (Julie Halston), want the convent to thrive and grow. The pair hopes they can make that happen with the help of a wealthy benefactor, Mrs. Levenson (Juliet Mills), though she's one of those atheists they find so troubling. But Mrs. Levenson's house guest, a Hollywood mogul named Jeremy (Maxwell Caulfield) may be able to help: He wants to make a movie about one fascinating young postulant, Agnes (Emily Bergl), who claims to have demonstrated the power to heal by laying on hands. Of course, he also has his own secrets - and hey, what's up with that stern Berlin nun, Sister Walburga (Alison Fraser), who's apparently inspecting the convent to report about its fitness, but is mostly intrigued by the catacombs below its floors? All of these characters are very fully realized by the cast and will blossom in your mind.

While all the actors are marvelous in their roles, Alison Fraser is a seismic force in her portrayal on Sister Walburga. She's a pillar of straight-laced aristocracy with a fire-breathing German sputter that ignites hilarity with every guttural syllable. Julie Halston, whose urban bark of a voice could not be more right for the blustery Sister Acacius.

But while listening to the radio broadcast, if I did not know the cast list, perhaps I would not have even known a man was playing Mother Superior had I not already seen him create her in person. The same is true for many of the smaller characters in the show, played by Caulfield and Mills. While watching the show, I could tell who was playing what role. While listening, I had no idea and therefore pictured each character being presented as a totally different person each time the voice changed. Perhaps the best compliment that can be paid them to the entire cast is that they stand up beautifully next to Busch, whose bravura turn would steamroll a lesser ensemble.

There were a few points during the radio broadcast when something was bleeped which of course I had heard in person. But it really made little difference as my mind could imagine what had been said since THE DIVINE SISTER is a very adult comedy, and of course you know to expect that kind of language in a Charles Busch show!

During the taping, the Foley operator was a lot of fun to watch as he created the sounds and music throughout the show. It all became symbiotic as I watched but became even more so when just listening. The music and sounds just became part of te story with out any thought given to who or how they were being created. They just enhanced my mind to picture what was going on between the characters.

THE DIVINE SISTER was written by Charles Busch and directed by Carl Andress. The two men have been working together for years and a short interview was included during the radio broadcast providing informative and funny antidotes about the production.

L.A. Theatre Works' Radio Theatre Series presents THE DIVINE SISTER. Written by Charles Busch, Directed by Carl Andress, produced by Sysan A. Loewenberg, Starring original cast members Charles Busch (Mother Superior), Alison Fraser (Sister Walburga) and Julie Halston (Sister Acacius) plus Emily Bergl (Agnes), Maxwell Caulfield (Jeremy, Brother Venerius) and Juliet Mills (MrS. Levinson).

The broadcast can be heard locally in Southern California on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 7-9 pm on KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles (98.7 FM in Santa Barbara, 99.5 FM in Ridgecrest/China Lake and 93.7 FM in Rancho Bernardo/North San Diego) and can also be streamed on demand at www.latw.org.

The show includes an interview with playwright Charles Busch and director Carl Andress. Radio broadcasts continue through November 10. L.A. Theatre Works' radio theater series can also be heard on the following stations (check local listings for broadcast times): 91.5 WBEZ, Chicago; 94.9 KUOW, Seattle; 91.1 KRCB, North Bay (San Francisco); and in over 75 markets nationwide.

L.A. Theatre Works records ten plays a year in front of a live audience for its weekly, syndicated radio theater series, with performances taking place at UCLA's James Bridges Theatre. Visit www.latw.org for a complete schedule and to purchase tickets. L.A. Theatre Works recordings are available on itunes, Amazon.com, audible.com and in many public libraries.

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