"SACRILEGE" - A CONTROVERSIAL NEW PLAY

"SACRILEGE", a play by Diane Shaffer, eloquently and powerfully mixes the personal and the political in such a way that makes for compelling theatre. It deals with a controversial and timely subject - women in the priesthood.

Sister Grace is a smart, energetic nun who runs a crisis center. She has been raising awareness and gathering support on the issue of the church allowing women into the priesthood, and in the process, infuriates her old mentor, Cardinal King - the parish priest who originally inspired her to devote her life to God. She also infuriates the pope himself, to the point where she is threatened with expulsion from the order. Sister Grace is a deeply spiritual woman who loves the Church and wants it to be as perfect as Christ was.

Woven into her fight to change church policy is her relationship with a street thug named Ramon, whom she first meets when he pilfers her purse from the park. Grace recognizes Ramon's spirituality (just as Cardinal King recognized hers while as a child serving as an altar girl) and grooms and guides him into the priest she knows he can be.

The play takes on a timely subject and deals with challenges to the old order, and the ways in which institutionalized religion is responding to the changing needs of the people. It is about finding one's identity and place in this world, as well as it is about the subjects of faith and spirituality.

"SACRILEGE" will move touch, provoke, incite and stir people - as good theatre can do - and its compelling truths give us an opportunity to look at women in the church in ways we've never done before.

Cast:
	Rito Asilo Lara De Jesus Rabbi Gannaban Paul Holme Jenny Jamora Tami Monsod Leo Rialp Michael Williams Jamie Wilson

Direction: Rito Asilo
Artistic Director: Monique Wilson
Executive Producer: Rossana Abueva
Light Design: Martin Esteva

Venue: Republic of Malate Theatre

1769 A. Mabini St. Malate Manila

Dates: September 3, 4, 10 and 11, 2004 (Friday and Saturday evenings: 9pm)

September 4 and 11, 2004 (Saturday matinees: 4pm)