My overall impression
Tony Frankel, theatre critic for Stage and Cinema here.
It is a testament to playwright Kate Fodor that 100 SAINTS YOU SHOULD KNOW is such a triumph. Her tale of a de-frocked priest who comes home to roost with his mother thoroughly examines the need and the disappointment of religious faith. There is a veracity to her characters that makes us empathize with them.
Although some of the performances lack depth, the actors never force themselves to heighten the conflict in the story. As the priest, Matthew, Brendan Farrell may lack any internal struggle, but he has a genuineness that is satisfying. As Collen, the uptight, passive-aggressive mother of Matthew, Pamela Roylance is well cast, but her Irish lilt lacks authenticity.
Theresa (Cheryl Huggins) is a cleaning lady from the rectory who drives two hours to visit the priest, as her faith is being sorely tested by the troubled relationship with her teenage daughter, Abby (played with remarkable clarity by Kate Huffman). The character that will ultimately heighten the stakes is a local delivery boy named Garrett, and it’s a pleasure to announce actor Marco Naggar as the best performance of the year in this, his Los Angeles debut. Every nuance of this fine, young actor is fresh, organic and wholly heart-breaking. Truly, Mr. Naggar gives a superlative performance.
Besides the script and Mr. Naggar’s performance, director Lindsay Allbaugh does a remarkable job: she proves that a low-cost set and some actors who may lack a spark can not hinder the loving attention that she has clearly given this production.
This is a moving and thoughtful piece that should be seen by everyone.
