Blessed Be the Stage

Say what you will about the quality of public education, but my friends and I never had to deal with militant nuns and their abusive rulers. Sure, I couldn’t tell you which saint I should pray to if I should get lost in a forest, but then again I’ve read enough Dan Brown to know as much as Tom Hanks, and never once have I had to say a Hail Mary or the Lord’s Prayer…until now. No, I’m not crashing a local cathedral (though I’d totally sign up for synagogue); I’ll get my tutelage from the stage. From the mind of playwright Tom Dudzick, who’s been dubbed the “Catholic Neil Simon,” comes Hail Mary!, a play in two acts. It turns out nuns, priests, confused kids and ex-boyfriends are comedy gold, especially under the direction of Henry Parker. Check out this Saturday’s performances at 3 or 8 p.m. (with additional performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday through June 13) at Circle Theatre, 230 W. Fourth St. in Fort Worth. Tickets are $20 to $30 with student and group discounts available. Call 817-877-3040 or visit circletheatre.com.

Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 3 & 8 p.m. Starts: May 14. Continues through June 13, 2009