Is it only coincidence that both these plays with religious themes close on the last day of Lent? Well, some do think of theater as church, but these would be some of the most entertaining services around.

at SF Playhouse
We know we keep talking about how rockin' SF Playhouse is and everything, and you probably don't believe us anymore, but listen up. Because Our Lady of 121st Street is like their best production to date. Really. If you met us on the street and asked us what show we would recommend right now this minute, this is the show. (We saw it last Saturday.) Stephen Adly Guirgis is an up-and-coming New York playwright--of course, it helps if Philip Seymour Hoffman directs your work. (Don't get excited, Hoffman didn't direct this particular production.) Our Lady is a loose chain of about 10 scenes that revolve around the funeral of Sister Rose, but as her former students gather for the wake, they discover that her body has been stolen. It's a dark comedy, obviously. The ensemble cast is brilliant, with Gabe Marin leading the way as the burdened detective along with Hansford Prince as Rooftop, a player who's come back to the church, sort of (the confessional scenes are a riot). With deft direction by artistic director Bill English (OK, he's not PSH, but he still did a great job), the West Coast premiere of Our Lady of 121st Street is hilarious, a little sad, and a really great night at the theater.
Playing through April 8

Photo of Gabe Marin and Joe Madero by Mario Parnell.

Our Lady of 121st Street