Dramatic Workshop presents ‘Agnes of God’

SOUTH FALLSBURG, NY — The Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop continues its 2009 season with John Pielmeier’s powerful drama, “Agnes of God,” premiering on Friday, September 11. The play will continue on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13 and continue on Friday through Sunday, September 25 to 27. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:00 p.m. on Sundays.

The play was written in 1978, based upon a true story that happened outside of Rochester. It opened on Broadway in 1982 and was later adapted for film. At the opening of the drama, Sister Agnes (Marissa Cohen of Ellenville) is brought to court psychiatrist Dr. Martha Livingstone (Evelyn Albino of New Hampton), who will determine whether she is sane.

Startlingly naïve, so innocent as to seem angelic, the 21-year-old nun stands accused of bearing a child in the convent and strangling it with its umbilical cord—none of which she can remember. Dr. Livingstone, shrewdly rational and an atheist, is convinced that the innocence of this beautiful young woman hides the scars of her childhood. But the convent’s worldly Mother Superior, Mother Miriam Ruth (Annie Hat of Hortonville) believes that Agnes is “blessed,” in some mysterious way that science cannot explain.

The question of whether Agnes is guilty of the crime is enmeshed in that or whether she is mad—or sainted. The battle between Ruth, who wishes to protect Agnes’ fragile spirit, and Livingstone, who wants to heal her shattered mind, becomes a fierce examination of man’s conflicting needs for rational certainty and for mystery and faith, conducted in a play of striking lyric beauty and dramatic force.

The play is directed by Lori Schneider-Wendt of Hurleyville. The technical director is Jim Schmidt and stage management duties are shared by Myron “Mike” Gastwirth of Liberty and Jackie Doerr of South Fallsburg.

Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens (60-plus) and $7 for students with a valid student ID. On Friday nights at SCDW performances, you can set your own price and pay what you can afford.

For more information call 845/436-5336 or 434-7232 or visit scdw.net .