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Mariette in Ecstasy at Lifeline Theatre
Yesterday I went with a couple friends to Lifeline Theatre to see Mariette in Ecstasy, a performance based on the novel by Ron Hansen. Before the performance even began, I was in love with the theatre and the set — small, warm, artistic and welcoming. The theatre’s tagline says it well:
“Big Stories, Up Close”.
Mariette in Ecstasy is about a cloistered community of nuns, the Sisters of the Crucifixion, who “live quiet lives of prayer and devotion until the intriguing Mariette is initiated into their cloister.” The postulant Mariette experiences what she (and some of the sisters) believe to be divine encounter, but other sisters are not so sure about the authenticity of the experience. The faith of the sisters, their trust in one another, and their community life is all put into question as the sisters try to deal with Mariette and their own conflicting feelings.
Overall, the story and the performance were amazing. I felt like I was a part of the performance because of the wonderful choreography and the intensity of the actors. Because it was a story about nuns, I was particularly attentive to how the nuns were portrayed, how their community life and spirituality were expressed.
My favorite nun was the prioress, Reverend Mother Céline, played by Patrice Egleston. She was probably the nun shown with the most depth. I particularly liked how she was showed the dynamic of being a nun who was responsible for the common good and the community, but also a nun who had a family, who struggled, who prayed, who cared deeply. I also loved how graceful Mother Céline was — her every movement was effortless and when she walked it was as if she were floating just above the floor!
Brenda Barrie was very good as Mariette Baptiste, the new postulant and sibling of the prioress. She kind of freaked me out a bit when she was in ecstasy which meant she was doing an excellent job acting!
In the end, the question that begs to be answered is whether Mariette was having authentic experiences of God (stigmata, trances, visions) or if she was making it up to get attention or because she was sick.
A deeper question, however, and one that is pertinent for all of us, is whether or not we are open to being surprised by God. Are we open to the sometimes strange and totally unreasonable ways that God is present to us in our lives?
If you live in the Chicago area, go see this performance of Mariette in Ecstasy at Lifeline Theatre. I highly recommend it. Hurry! You only have until April 5.
Also, check out the book by Ron Hansen
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Sister Julie, I think you nailed it right on the head when you said that the fundamental message was whether or not we are truly open to the unfathomable ways God communicates with us. Startling events such as stigmata are rare, but other, more common winks from God are no less sacred in their own unique synchronicity when they yank at our inner selves. Having felt the staggering jolt of an astounding personal synchronicity not two days ago, I have to say that that keeping our hearts sincerely open to the Divine in following our call, whatever that call may be, has the potential to completely overhaul a soul, if the soul but lets itself be seized.
Amen, Nathalie!
Sister Julie –
I didn’t know about the book, so thanks for that. I wish I were in Chicago.
My favorite theater in the world – now film, rather than stage – is Cinemagic, in Portland, Oregon. The walls are aubergine, white fairy lights dance across the high ceilings and the curtains are gold lame! Never mind that it is always cold and hot tea is a necessity; or that aubergine is nothing more than fancy – French – for eggplant but, when speaking of such a romantic place, one cannot say, “the walls are eggplant colored”. The ambience longs for “aubergine”. They would run a film like this (if it were a film) for weeks.
And, Nathalie, I love what you say. I find myself wholly uninterested in “signs”, in stories of apparitions, etc., unless told to me in conversation with the person whose love of God brought forth the experience. It is their love to which I am drawn. Their experience is theirs. Love belongs to all who are near it.
Jean
Dear Sister Julie,
I saw a play today at St. Joesephs School in Millbrook NY. It was called ” Catherine of Siena , A Woman of out Time ” . Adrian Dominican Sister Nancy Murray,OP was the sole performer. She was fantastic ! By the time she was finished , I felt I knew St. Catherine Of Siena. Behind me sat a row of Sisters which surprised my grandson as they were dressed in plain cloths . They were mentioned at the end by Sister Nancy .( Sister Nancy Murray was wearing white with black Habit ) . I am glad my grandson was well behaved ! It was a lovely experience . God Bless, Sharon
I saw the Catherine of Siena play last summer. She is Bill Murray’s sister. Acting talent runs in the family. I wish I could see the Chicago one too. I am still waiting to rent Doubt…
Will “Mariette in Ecstasy” be performed anywhere else, such in the NY Metro area? I’d love to see it. Every time I hear of ecstasies and the like, I think of St. Teresa of Avila. Her ecstasies were wonderfully portrayed in the 10-part documentary of her life produced by the Spanish government.
Honestly, I do feel that a good number of people do experience some sort of ecstasy or consolation from God. This type of event is often the trigger that brings common, everyday pewsitters into the realm of the devout and committed Christian life. I do believe, however, most of these experiences are not as dramatic as those seen in the stories about the saints, films, etc. But their affects can be just as powerful.
dee
I read this book over the summer and found it fascinating! I was particularly struck by the end… though I don’t want to talk about that hear in case people want to read/see it… but I wonder how the play ended, all the same. I should read it again, too, since I’m remembering lots of bits of it but not necessarily the entire story arc. I’m excited it’s a play, though!
Becky (Rebecca F from From the Pews in the Back)
Thanks for the book link, Sister. I’ll have to see if I can find it.
Have you read Lying Awake? It’s another really good book that looks at this same issue. What is real communication with God and what is not. I found it gave me a great deal to think about.
Jodith — Yes! Lying Awake is one of my favorite books! I love how it suggested that even if her experience had an other-than-divine origin, it could still be a way that God connected with her.
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