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“Vatican II”
Civic Center, Des
Moines
ARTSCENE
January 11, 2005
Review: Des Moines
John Busbee
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Kathy Cogan’s highly anticipated return exceeded
expectations as the gifted comedian/playwright commanded the stage on
opening night of her “Vatican II: What the Hell Happened?” After two
triumphant runs as the stern nun in “Late Night Catechism,” Cogan lets her
flowing red hair down in this comedic tour-de-force. The Civic Center of
Greater Des Moines deserves praise for landing this world premiere,
destined for many great performances. Although the Catholic audience
members may have been eager for even more interaction, “Vatican II” easily
tickles everyone’s funny bone.
The tone is set as the audience is ushered into the
Dexterville Town Council chambers (aka Stoner Theatre) to determine the
fate of St. Nicholas Church. Campbell Baird’s set design provides an
appealingly flexible and well-defined arena for Cogan’s use. John
McKernon’s lighting design added some excellent complexities during the
show. The few technical missteps could be attributed to getting the show
into its groove, which should happen quickly.
Using a cleverly crafted sound design, Cogan’s
one-person show creates some interesting interplay with recorded,
beyond-the-fourth-wall characters. Under the team direction of Conwell S.
Worthington II and Michael Coleman, Cogan’s performance is skillfully
guided through both the physical set as well as the emotional and cerebral
appeal of the script.
As Margaret Mary O’Malley, Cogan captivates as the
skewed, knowledgeable choir director of the threatened church. She learns
the town council wants to raze St. Nicholas to make way for a SuperMart,
so she purposefully storms the town council’s meeting to present her case
for preserving the church. Margaret Mary proceeds to whisk the audience
through a whirlwind lesson on her version of Catholic history, especially
from when Catholicism was the biggest religion with 900 million Catholics
worldwide.
That all changed, she continues in a voice laced with
cynicism, when “Pope John XXIII took over.” Through a rapid-fire litany of
anecdotes, Margaret Mary describes the impact of the more liberal “Vatican
II.” Reminiscing about her childhood, she mugs and charms her way through
confusing changes from one week (when Mass was in Latin) to the next (when
it was in English). From “no meat on Fridays” to “it’s OK to have meat on
Fridays.” She cites research that traces that meatless-Friday thing back
to fishing Catholics led by a Pope who was a fisherman, painting the
between-the-line inferences in broad-brush strokes.
She guides everyone through the seven sacraments with
the skill of an orchestral conductor. She pulls audience responses as
deftly as a magician pulls a rabbit from the hat. Her comic timing shines
with an undeniable brilliance as she gleefully recounts the stories of her
often-confusing Catholic upbringing.
Margaret Mary has irresistible appeal, sweeping the
entire audience into her cause. When it appears she may not successfully
sway the town council, she resorts to recruiting her fellow citizens of
Dexterville (the audience) to vote in favor of saving the church.
Cogan’s true comic genius shines when Mary Margaret
goes toe-to-toe with the audience during improvised interactions, drawing
gales of laughter from the spontaneous exchanges with the hapless targets
of her good-natured banter. With the audience firmly tucked in her pocket,
Cogan joins the tidal wave of fun as she carries the show to its final
destination: will St. Nicholas Church be spared?
Kathy Cogan is not to be missed in this well-crafted
show that masterfully provides the means to feature this gifted woman’s
incredible talents. A long run is anticipated and appreciated — it is sure
to draw multiple attendees throughout its world premiere here!
— John Busbee
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