I Almost Felt My Knuckles Bleed
Written: Dec 11 '02 (Updated Dec 11 '02)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Transported me to 3rd grade again.
Cons: Repressed knuckle pain resurfaced.
The Bottom Line: A great venue with above average food for a dinner theater. This show was a rollicking good time. It has something to tickle everyone’s funny bone.
|
|
|
| gungian's Full Review: West End Dinner Theater |
Mrs. G and I are always looking for good entertainment. We often like to take her 89 year-old Mother along and that can sometimes limit our choices. A few weeks ago we went to the West End Dinner Theater for a matinee performance of Late Nite Catechism. We laughed till our tear-streaked cheeks glowed!
At its most basic, Late Nite Catechism depicts the interaction of a Catholic nun with her adult religious education class. On that level alone, those of us who experienced Catholic education in the 50s and 60s will easily identify. Many of the questions that “Sister” posed would be familiar to anyone who ever leafed through [dare I say memorized] the Baltimore Catechism. [I was a somewhat lackluster student in my early days. I guess that is why I still found myself looking around this theatrical "classroom" for help with the answers!]
Late Nite Catechism, however, was much more than a pleasant drift down the river eddies of memory for a survivor of Catholic elementary education. This was an adult education class at the hands of a bold caricature of a third grade teaching nun. This production was a one-woman tour de force. “Sister” brought front and center all of those fears and misgivings that most of us labored under in our early school years. Many of us will quickly remember that deer-in-the-headlights feeling of the first day of third grade. [My Mother-in-Law was an adult convert to Catholicism. Though she never went to parochial school, none of the humor escaped her.]
There were many common elements to elementary education in the 50s and 60s. It mattered little whether we attended parochial, private, or public schools. Those of us of “a certain age” will feel right at home with the pull down maps and Palmer Method lettering along the blackboard. That’s right – not a white board with dry erase markers but a good old fashioned slate blackboard complete with chalk and dust-filled erasers. [“Sister”, by way of warning, is not averse to launching one of those erasers at inattentive students!] Our American flag was also prominently displayed and the Pledge of Allegiance was proudly recited.
Late Nite Catechism depends on, and is energized by, audience participation. At our well subscribed performance there was no shortage of volunteers. [Though “Sister” was also quick to zero in on those reluctant students who averted their eyes or turned their heads to avoid her notice!]
Our audience included a few elementary-age children, scores of folks in their 50’s and 60’s, as well as a few seniors on an age par with my Mother-in-Law. We even had two contingents of real life nuns. Every one seemed to get in the spirit!
While rooted in the American Catholic educational experience of the mid 20th century, Late Nite Catechism appeals to a much broader audience. To those who fear that you have to be “a Catholic insider” to appreciate the humor, I offer the following observations:
You don’t have to fish to enjoy a “one that got away” story.
You don’t have to be in litigation to appreciate a “lawyer" joke.
You don’t have to be a product of Catholic education to revel in Late Nite Catechism.
Specifics about the current tour can be found at http://www.latenitecatechism.com/lnc-skip.html.
The West End Dinner Theater [WEDT] sits in the midst of a strip mall near Old Town Alexandria. There is plenty of parking. WEDT is also handicap accessible and family friendly. This is a fun venue that has been entertaining [and feeding] audiences since 1984.
Depending on the performance, WEDT can accommodate about 350 patrons. Tables are arranged in tiers so that even the most rearmost seats have a good view. Mrs. G and I have been to a number of productions there. Our performance of Late Nite Catechism was a matinee and offered drinks and snacks but not the usual meal service.
You can learn more about WEDT’s offerings, schedule, and pricing at
West End Dinner Theater
4615 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22304
http://www.wedt.com/default.asp
Note: If you are a product of that 50s system, then I need not explain my review title.
:-)
© 2002 Gungian
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
gungian
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Location: Falls Church, Virginia
Reviews written: 222
Trusted by: 441 members
About Me:
10/16/06 - Life is hectic - but good! Write On!
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.