Theater Review: Powerful 'Agnes of God' at Square One Theatre

by Nancy Sasso Janis

Square One Theatre Company is finally able to present “Agnes of God.” Planned since 2019, Square One is thrilled to finally have the production rights to present this thrilling Broadway classic as part of their 30th season.

The play written by John Pielmeier is a compelling drama that was inspired by a newspaper article about an event that occurred in a convent near Rochester, NY. When a young nun has no memory of giving birth and then murdering her child, she is court-ordered to be examined by a therapist.

Summoned to a convent, Dr. Martha Livingstone is charged with assessing the sanity of the novice, Sister Agnes, accused of murdering her newborn.

The Mother Superior determinedly keeps young Agnes from the doctor, further arousing Livingstone’s suspicions. Who killed the infant, and who fathered the tiny victim?

The psychiatrist’s questions force all three women to re-examine the meaning of faith and the power of love, leading to a dramatic, compelling climax.

A hit play on Broadway and later on film, John Pielmeier’s riveting suspense drama began at Connecticut’s Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights’ Conference.The play is a stripped-down version of the story, with only the three women that drive the narrative. Therefore, the three actresses must master a crushing amount of (sometimes overlapping) dialogue for the two acts.

Set in 1982, questions about the clergy, religion, abuse and mental illness are raised. The script is a taut, forceful and ultimately thought-provoking drama that raises more questions than answers.

After their long wait, the company is thrilled to finally be able to present this highly theatrical Broadway classic, and under the thoughtful direction of Square One Artistic Director Tom Holehan, it shows. Holehan opened the Square One Theatre in 1990 and has impressively directed all 91 of the productions there.

Priscilla Squiers of Danbury (“The Dining Room” at Square One, “The Exonerated” at Ridgefield Theatre Barn) writes that she is “over the moon” to be part of this production. Her performance is a “wow” in all of its aspects. The character narrates the action with some personal revelations and then steps into the scene, and Squiers accomplishes this masterfully. She remains onstage for the few breaks during her performance

“What did we do to hurt you? I can smell an ex-Catholic a mile away.” —Mother Miriam to atheist Dr. Livingston.

Lucy Babbitt of Stratford (“Admissions” at Square One) gives an outstanding performance as Mother Miriam Ruth, a second career nun. Babbitt masters the character, who is overprotective of her young novice, conniving as she spars with the probing psychiatrist, and wickedly comedic at times.

Céline Montaudy of Stamford takes on the demanding role of Agnes, the young and emotionally fragile nun. The actress sings off-stage with a pleasant voice. Montaudy, who appeared in “Romeo and Juliet” and more with Shakesperience in Waterbury, understands the fragility and naivete of her character and gives a strong performance overall.

The scenery by Robert Mastoni is sparse but works for the setting of the convent, with lighting by Clifford Fava. Gaetana Grinder served as Costume Coordinator of the two distinct nun habits and a trim pantsuit of the era for the psychiatrist. Richard P. Pheneger is the general manager of Square One.

Patrons holding subscriptions or tickets from the 2019 – 2020 season should know that they will be honored for this production. On March 28 at noon, there will be a “Play It Again, Square One!” when patrons may join Square One in the Lovell Room of the Stratford Library for further discussion of “Agnes of God.” Also in the works is the Stratford Library Reader’s Theatre Summer Showcase scheduled for June-July.

“Agnes of God” is performed with one ten-minute intermission; the first act runs approximately one hour and the second about 35 minutes. It plays through March 26 at Stratford Academy, 719 Birdseye St., in Stratford, CT. The audience sits in chairs set up on the stage in front of a short platform for the actors. Performances are Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets/info: visit squareonetheatre.com or call 203-375-8778.

The Friends of Square One Theatre will hold their annual Spring Scholarship Luncheon on Apr. 25 at the Blue Goose Restaurant in Stratford at noon. There will be entertainment from The Select Choir from Stratford High School and proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the William A. Barry Scholarship Fund awarded to graduates of Stratford and Bunnell High School.

Connecticut Critics Circle membership chair Nancy Sasso Janis was raised in Stratford.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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