We’ve been inundated with bad news: Brexit; the shenanigans at the RNC and DNC; terrorism; international monetary instability; and many others. We need a comedy. Lo and behold! Just in time along comes Charles Busch’s 2010 off-Broadway hit, The Divine Sister, now onstage at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA, until August 13.

The Divine Sister is everything you might want in a comedy. Just about everything and everyone from the original New York cast is onstage in this recreation. Most of the cast, the director, and design team have reunited for this event. The scenic designer Brian T. Whitehall, Costume designer Fabio Toblini, and director Carl Andress are all part of Charles Busch’s world of theatrical magic. Even the Bucks County Playhouse’s producer Alexander Fraser was involved in the original production. Truly, this is a rare labor of love for all concerned.  

Alison Fraser, Julie Halston, Jonathan Walker, Jennifer Van Dyke, and Erin Maguire join Charles Bush in his loving send-up of all nun films of the 40s and 50s. Quotes from films by Rosalind Russell to references from Tennessee Williams abound. (At one point, Jennifer Van Dyke as Mrs. Levinson, the Jewish philanthropist, says she will shortly vacation in the Encantatas, a reference to where Williams’ Sebastian Venable vacationed in Suddenly Last Summer.) Busch even wrote the lyrics to the featured song, “Trinity of Harmony,” which he and Erin Maquire lipsync to.

Here is an episode of Theater Talk from the original New York production, with playwright/actor Charles Busch with costars Alison Fraser and Julie Halston. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUxq4BrzrrU

The Divine Sister revels in off-color humor (maybe not the best thing for your nine-year-old or 101- year-old conservative great aunt Heronyma to hear), fully exploits Jewish and Catholic jokes, and mocks the feisty gals of Hollywood’s heyday. Fresher than lemonade, this The Divine Sister will be a wonderful summer tonic of pleasure that will make you leave the theatre happy.

The Bucks County Playhouse is located in the center of New Hope, PA. Parking is available next to the theatre, as are many diversions and restaurants. For more information, visit their website: http://bcptheater.org/