Freshwater Theatre's Immaculate Heart offers insight into negotiating Catholicism and sexuality

Image courtesy Freshwater Theatre

No matter how long its been since you have been to mass, called a parish home, or gone to confession, you never shake being a Roman Catholic.

I haven't been a church goer since 1987, but at a funeral last week, I felt myself going through the old motions, finding comfort in the familiar rhythm of the mass, even feeling that spiritual thrill that comes with the miracle of the host.

I also knew, deep inside, that the issues that drove from the church all those years ago -- matters of sexuality, priestly abuse, and the musty Medieval smell that populates much of the Catholic Church's politics -- make a return to Mother's embrace impossible.

That evening, I headed out to see Immaculate Heart, a world premiere at Freshwater Theatre that embraced all of the conflicting emotions I had felt throughout the days. Ruth Virkus' excellent new work brings these issues into play, as a woman's awakening to her long-hidden sexuality brings her into sharp conflict with the parish she has called home her entire life.

Clare is interested in living a quiet life, devoting herself to a part-time job with the parish, assisting the harried priest, Father Paul, in the nitty gritty details of the church: tidying up the sanctuary, making sure the seasonal banners are in good repair, and in general serving far beyond the demands of her job.

Outside of this, Clare's main interest comes in knitting and other needlework. It is during a class she is teaching on knitting that she meets Marina. Marina is brash, friendly, and takes an immediate shine to Clare. As their friendship deepens, Marina wonders if there is something more between them. She has been open about her past girlfriends, but Clare doesn't seem to have much of a history with dating.

It turns out that she has been on exactly one date in her life. Some more probing -- some gentle, some not -- shows us that Clare is asexual; she has never had those kinds of thoughts about another person.

Their friendship also creates conflict with Father Paul, especially after Marina visits the church (and the confessional!) to the priest's chagrin. As Clare is tossed into conflict between her longtime home and her newfound friend, she finds it increasingly difficult to negotiate a path that includes both.

While Immaculate Heart has serious issues at its core, this isn't some dour trip. There is a lot of heart and humor throughout, from the early moments of Clare and Father Paul negotiating the non-religious parts of the parish to the initially halting friendship between Clare and Marina.

That's aided by the performers, who provide plenty of humanity to each role. Noe Tallen (Marina) and Rachel Flynn (Clare) have an easy chemistry that builds a bond between the characters from the beginning. The same goes for Flynn and Scot Froelich as the priest.

Froelich may have the toughest job, as his character becomes the antagonist for both women by the end of the show. The script could have used a few more touches to deepen the reverend. There is a sense of the intense loneliness he feels as the spiritual head of the parish, but a stronger sense of the personal connection he feels for Clare would make his eventual turn all the more agonizing.

That issue aside, Immaculate Heart is an engrossing show that easily moves between matters of the heart and matters of the spirit. As with other Freshwater shows, it is being produced in rep with an associated piece. Eventually, Epiphany is a collection of works by local artists and storytellers about the lessons they've learned in adulthood. For showtimes and tickets, visit online.