Theater Review: 'Agnes of God' at Westport Community Theatre

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

The Westport Community Theatre, which performs on the lower level of the Westport Town Hall, continues its 67th season with “Agnes of God,” a play by John Pielmeier. This production was originally presented in 2023 at the now shuttered Square One Theatre in Stratford and has been reimagined for the Westport Community Theatre stage.

“Agnes of God” is a drama about a court-appointed psychiatrist who is in the process of evaluating the sanity of a young nun who has been charged with the murder of her newborn child. This compelling story was inspired by a newspaper article about an event that occurred in a convent near Rochester, NY.

The work was originally produced in 1979 at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, CT and moved to Broadway in 1982 at the Music Box Theatre. The current production is set in 1982.

The play is expertly directed by Tom Holehan, husband of the late Richard Pheneger, with whom he co-founded Square One in 1990. Holehan is also a co-founder of the Connecticut Critics Circle and covers professional Connecticut theater.

The talented cast has retained the strong bonds that must have developed during the previous production. A second viewing made me realize that the story is just as much about the character arc of the doctor as it is about the two nuns. The tension is often palpable as the characters are required to interact.

The play is a stripped-down version of the 1985 film version, 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.

Dr. Martha Livingston is embodied by the always stellar Priscilla Squiers. The wonderful actress notes that she is grateful to reprise the role with her cast mates and “impeccable director.” Westport patrons may remember Squiers from her excellent portrayal of Florence Foster Jenkins in “Souvenir” or Maria Callas in “Master Class.”

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

Lucy Babbitt dons a full black habit to portray the second-career nun, Mother Miriam Ruth. Babbitt deftly switches between the dramatic elements of the staunch Mother Superior and the well-placed comedic touches. The actress recently played Mrs. Bennet in the WCT production of “Pride and Prejudice,” as well as Betty in “Chapatti” on this stage (which Holehan directed) and Perkins in “The Play that Goes Wrong” at Center Stage in Shelton. Babbitt is a retired teacher and writer, and notes that “for whatever reason, this is the fourth time (she) has played a nun.”

Céline Montaudy takes on the role of the young and emotionally fragile nun Sister Agnes. Mongaudy effectively brings to life the tortured young novice. The actress sings off-stage with a pleasant voice. The actress’ Shakespearean credits include “Romeo & Juliet” with Shakesperience Productions.

The set design of Al Kulcsar is stark and effectively sets the scene of Dr. Livingston’s office and areas of the convent. Lighting design by Jeff Klein is simple but on point, with sound design by David Rylander. Ruth Anne Baumgartner worked as the show’s producer and Mary Kulscar was in charge of the new costumes for the current production.

Westport First Selectwoman Jennifer S. Tooker calls the theater “a place where talent and creativity abound.” The devoted group has “produced and performed varied and diverse productions throughout the years–each providing a unique embodiment of the vast array of human emotions.” There are certainly many emotions on display in this latest work.

Up next at the venue will be Ken Ludwig’s “The Gods of Comedy,” scheduled to open on June 6.

The performance is presented in two acts, with a 15-minute intermission to catch your breath. Performances continue through Apr. 13. Tickets at westportcommunitytheatre.com/reserve-tickets/

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.