Lifeline Theatre is presenting Christina Calvit's adaptation of Ron Hansen's best selling novel "Mariette in Ecstasy," a story that deals with mystery and miracle in the cloister of The Sisters of the Crucifixion. These sisters live quiet lives filled with prayer and devotion with very little change from day to day until a new Postulant comes to them. Mariette comes to the Cloister because she believes that Jesus has asked her to join him there. Her sister, Reverend Mother Celine (played by Patrice Egleston) some 20 years her senior has concerns as to the true motives of her sister leaving her father behind to join them, but makes her feel at home.
The other Novices are intrigued by her, feeling that she is someone special and then a strange event takes place, a truly divine encounter that changes the lives of all of the residents of the Cloister. No longer are they a "family", united as one. They now experience the same feelings that we all do (envy, hate, fear), challenges that cause them to think about their faith and the desire to find deeper meaning in their own souls and choices.
This is a powerful production with a solid cast of players. Mariette is played by Brenda Barrie, who is strikingly beautiful and radiates the aura that supposedly has been cast upon her. Director Elise Kauzlaric uses the stage at Lifeline to the best advantage on a marvelous set by Alan Donahue. This is a small and intimate theater but they are able to make the scene change from one area to another with just moving one piece that serves as a bed, a bench, a hospital bed and by the movement of the actors. This keeps the flow of the action moving which is important to the pace of the action. Too many pauses could break the mood. Well done!
The three novices (Elizabeth Olson, Sarah Goeden and Sadie Rogers) are young and adorable and do some heavenly chanting. There are several spots where the entire cast does chants and the harmony is wonderful and very spiritual.; Joseph Burt's music adds to the flavor and the lighting by Sarah Hughey creates the mood. Brian Parry handles the role of the Priest with the same expertise as you find in any role he plays. He is a master technician at character creation.
Shole Milos plays Dr. Baptise, Mariette's father and the ensemble of Nuns (Melinda Polus, Janice O'Neill, Allison Cain and Morgan McCabe) are just perfect. This is an intense story with some thought-provoking action. Not being a Catholic myself, I wasn't sure if this type of event could be thought to be true, but in speaking with some audience members, they tell me that there are people who truly believe in miracles of this nature. No matter your religion, this is a stirring story and a sterling production.
