Miraculous Mystery

Many people remember “Agnes of God” from its 1985 movie version, which starred Jane Fonda, Anne Bancroft and Meg Tilly. It scooped up three Oscar nominations.

Yet before that, “Agnes of God” won the 1979 Great American Play Contest and then became a 1982 Broadway hit starring Elizabeth Ashley, Geraldine Page and Amanda Plummer. Now, the Actor’s Repertory Theatre, Spokane’s resident professional theater, will tackle John Pielmeier’s drama-thriller.

This is the story of a newborn discovered in the wastebasket of a young nun’s room. The plot revolves around a psychiatrist’s attempts to find out the truth about the baby’s conception and death, while being thwarted most of the way by the convent’s Mother Superior. Among other complications, the young nun claims to have no knowledge of sex or childbirth.

“Mr. Pielmeier has loftier aims here than merely solving the mystery,” wrote Naomi Siegel of the New York Times about a recent revival. “A rousing theological debate on the nature of miracles, virgin birth and sainthood runs through this two-hour mental wrestling match.”

Yet director Michael Weaver, the artistic director of ARt, said that if done correctly, “Agnes of God” also contains elements of humor. It makes the psychodrama that much more powerful.

“He is too good of a playwright not to find the laughter in some of these situations,” said Weaver.

The ARt cast features Jane Fellows as Mother Miriam Ruth. Fellows is a veteran actress familiar from many appearances at both ARt and the Interplayers, including “How the Other Half Loves,” and “Collected Stories.” Fellows grew up in Spokane and now lives in Portland.

Sister Agnes will be played by Caryn Hoaglund, who has appeared in a number of plays at ARt, including “Mrs. Warren’s Profession.” She also serves as ARt’s box office manager.

Dr. Martha Livingstone will be played by Kate Vita, who played the title role in the Spokane Civic Theatre’s production of “Lysistrata.” She is also a designer and animator. She is currently the color supervisor for characters and props for the Cartoon Network series “Squirrel Boy.”

“It’s a really great cast of women,” said Weaver. “They’ve been wonderful to work with.”