Diversionary presents West Coast premiere of ‘The Divine Sister’

Diversionary Theatre’s production of The Divine Sister opened at San Diego’s Diversionary Theatre June 1.

The cast includes Maggie Carney as Mrs. Levinson, Yolanda Franklin as Sister Acacius, Lauren King as Agnes, Dangerfield G. Moore as Jeremy, Daren Scott as Mother Superior, and Jacque Wilke as Sister Walburga. Diversionary’s production is directed by the Craig Noel award-winning co-founder of ion Theatre, Glenn Paris.

The Divine Sister is an inspired homage to every Hollywood film ever centered on the convent. Written by Charles Busch (the comic genius behind such classics as The Tale of the Allergists Wife; Die, Mommie, Die!; Psycho Beach Party; and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom), this is the gleefully twisted tale of an indomitable Mother Superior trying to cope with a young postulant experiencing “visions,” a sensitive schoolboy in need of mentoring, a mysterious nun visiting from Berlin and a former suitor intent on luring her away from her vows. No nun, whether singing or flying, is spared and no Mary is left un-hailed in this loving parody that dares to take a look beneath the habit.

The Divine Sister opened for a successful and critically acclaimed run in September 2012 at the Soho Playhouse where Ben Brantley of The New York Times called it a “gleefully twisted tale … Mr. Busch’s freshest, funniest work in years, perhaps decades.” The New York Post calls Busch “as much of a beloved classic as the movie heroines he impersonates in performances that are half loving tribute, half wicked spoof.”

The production is scheduled to run through June 30. Tickets are available online at diversionary.org, by calling 619-220-0097 or in person by visiting 4545 Park Boulevard San Diego, 92116. Single ticket prices ranges from $29-51. (Prices are subject to change).