A Chicago original and international hit, Late Nite Catechism turns 25 in the city where it all started.
A special anniversary performance of Late Nite Catechism will be held on Sunday, June 3, at 2 p.m. at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted, Chicago.
Chicago actress Rosie Newton will star as "Sister," a role she has performed since 1997, both in Chicago and on tour.
A limited number of 25 tickets will be available for purchase at the original 1993 ticket price: $8. Those tickets are available directly through the Royal George box office, or at Ticketmaster using the code 25TH. All other tickets are $30.
A pre-show celebration with food, drinks, and assorted sweets will begin an hour before performance time.
In addition, as part of its anniversary year, the show will also be performed at these venues around Chicago:
* July 14-15, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie
* October 6, Beverly Arts Center, Chicago
* October 21, Theatre at the Center, Munster, IN
The role of Sister, the wise-cracking, lovable character of Late Nite Catechism, was created by Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan, both products of the Catholic school system.
Since opening in 1993 at Live Bait Theatre in Chicago, Late Nite Catechism has seen three popes, three cardinals, four presidents, two Chicago mayors, at least a dozen Chicago area theaters, 20 local actresses, and provided laughter to more than 3.5 million audience members in more than 410 cities, playing in six countries on four continents. Worldwide, the show has grossed more than $100 million in box office receipts.
In addition, Late Nite Catechism has helped raise more than $3 million for the retirement funds of various orders of nuns.
So what else was happening in 1993 when LATE NITE CATECHISM opened?
* Donald Trump married Marla Maples.
* Hillary Clinton moved into the White House.
* Bill Clinton was sworn in as the 42nd President.
* It was the year Prince changed his name to a symbol.
* Michael Jackson performed at Super Bowl XXVII.
* Movies that year included Jurassic Park, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Schindler's List.
* David Letterman left NBC for CBS.
* 80.4 million people watched the series finale of Cheers.
* Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Christina Aguilera joined The New Mickey Mouse Club.
* John Paul II was just a Pope, not a Saint yet.
* Boris Yeltsin was president of Russia.
* The Dow-Jones hit a record 3793.49.
* A gallon of gas was $1.16.
Call it Carol Burnett meets Whoopi Goldberg. This interactive comedy is part catechism class, part stand-up routine. Ruling her classroom with an iron fist, Sister teaches her students — who happen to be the audience — everything she knows about saints, sin, heaven and hell…while dolling out rewards and reprimands with lightning speed.
The New York Times calls it "hilarious, well-written and inspired." The Chicago Reader calls it "a top-notch comedy." Jeffrey Lyons from TV's Sneak Previews called Late Nite Catechism "something to savor and enjoy....one of the most intimate, rewarding shows in town."
For more information, go to www.nuns4fun.com . For tickets at the Royal George, call the box office at 312-988-9000.
