A HOLY DISRUPTION: “MARIOLOGY” AT BOSTON COURT THEATRE

REVIEW: MARIOLOGY

BY BIANCA FOSCHT & RYAN M. LUEVANO

In a bold and imaginative exploration of faith and power dynamics, Boston Court Pasadena presents the West Coast Premiere of Mariology, a captivating play written and directed by Nancy Keystone in collaboration with the Critical Mass Performance Group. This innovative production transports audiences to a mythical fifth-grade classroom where the boundaries of indoctrination blur into realms of fantasy and rebellion. With its exuberant theatricality, Mariology delves into the complex figure of the Virgin Mary, examining her dual role as both a source of faith and a tool of control, while illuminating the intricate interplay of gender, power, and personal agency. Known for their boundary-pushing works, Critical Mass Performance Group, recognized as the Best Theatre Company by LA Weekly in 2013, invites viewers to engage with profound themes that resonate deeply in today’s society.

From the moment the lights dim, Mariology plunges you into a kaleidoscope of visuals and sounds, projections that morph like apparitions, costumes that blend schoolyard innocence with ecclesiastical grandeur, and a score that pulses with both reverence and irreverence. The ensemble cast is a revelation, embodying archetypes with such fluidity that they shift from devout schoolchildren to ethereal visions of Mary herself. Their physicality is mesmerizing: bodies contort in dances of devotion and defiance, capturing the tension between submission and empowerment. Keystone’s direction masterfully weaves these elements into a “form-busting theatrical experience,” as the program aptly describes, where humor crashes against heartache, and the sacred collides with the profane.

The ensemble cast operates with remarkable cohesion, each actor’s movements and lines harmoniously aligned. Amidst this strong collective, Amir Levi’s portrayal of Mary Amir shines brightly. Levi has crafted a rich backstory for the character, making every scene a mesmerizing exploration of Mary’s journey. With each line delivered and every gesture made, Levi imbues the role with intention, leaving the audience eager to uncover more about Mary Amir’s aspirations, her favorite color, and her home life. Equally impressive is Gabriela Bonet as Mary Gabriela, who skillfully weaves her Puerto Rican heritage into the fabric of this Latinx character. Bonet’s performance is both powerful and gritty, adding depth and authenticity that resonates throughout the play.

At its core, MARIOLOGY peels back the significant layers of motherhood and femininity with unflinching creativity. Mary, the ultimate maternal figure, is dissected not as a monolithic saint but as a multifaceted symbol, nurturer, intercessor, and enforcer of patriarchal norms. Keystone illuminates how motherhood is idealized yet weaponized, turning the Virgin’s immaculate conception into a mirror for society’s expectations of women: pure, selfless, eternally giving. Yet, the play boldly challenges this, revealing the undercurrents of rebellion within femininity itself. Through surreal vignettes and poignant monologues, we see how the female gaze, often stereotyped as passive or ornamental, is reframed as a radical act of seeing and being seen. Society’s stereotypes, those insidious veils of “shoulds” and “musts,” are stripped away: the Madonna-whore dichotomy, the pressure to embody unattainable virtue, the erasure of women’s agency in religious narratives. It’s a feminist liturgy that doesn’t preach but invites you to question: how have these archetypes shaped our views of women, from the playground to the pulpit?

Mariology is a thought play that refuses to provide easy answers; instead, it sparks a dialogue that lingers long after the applause fades. In a world still grappling with gender dynamics and cultural control, this play feels urgently timely, a beacon of artistic courage. Visit Boston Court in Pasadena to experience this holy disruption: a production that honors the complexity of the feminine divine while daring us to rewrite our own stories.

MORE INFORMATION:

WHEN:

Performances: November 9-December 7 Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and a few Mondays at 7:30PM and Sundays at 2PM Additional performance Saturday, November 22 at 2PM There are no performances the week of Thanksgiving (Nov 27 – Dec 4)

WHERE:

Boston Court Pasadena 70 N Mentor Ave. Pasadena, CA 91106 Free parking is available directly behind the building. TICKET PRICES: $32 – $72 including fees Limited number of $10 Community Access Tickets available to select performances.

HOW:

https://bostoncourtpasadena.org/events/mariology/

(626) 683-6801

boxoffice@bostoncourtpasadena.org