Good...but not new

Truth can be stranger than fiction at the Saskatoon Fringe, with one play called Jesus' Penis In My Heart featured in a church basement. Of course, it wasn't intentional, but just a logistical situation. Seeing it as a sign, this Door Magazine reader felt led to check it out (so to speak) on Wednesday.

Lest anyone possibly stumbles, let's be clear about the title. Jesus' Penis In My Heart is NOT a porno about Christian gals doing...right, but rather a play about a teenage Catholic school-girl who struggles to find her place within her faith. It tries to capture the ambivalence and doubt that coming-of-faith can be.

The play follows one particular day in the life of Lina, who's been struggling with typical teenage Catholic angst. From the straying mind at morning devotions to persistent questioning at chapel, Lina becomes rather frustrated with the easy answers of the faith. In Christian Ethics class, she's forced to read a note she tried to pass that expressed what part of the Body of Christ she wished to embrace. (It was...um, the "Sword of the Lord"?) Let's just say the class (and her) will never see Jesus quite the same.

Later, she starts realizing that being a righteous Catholic woman is harder than it seems. Even the most holiest (so it seems) women come across as not quite virtuous. So...in an epiphany, she leaves behind unquestioning faith and chooses to make space for herself, all the wiser. It seems that tempting choice is sexier than unquestionable faith.

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Summary: A teenage Catholic school-girl struggles to find a place in her faith, and seems to find enlightenment

Good: Authentic examples, Affectionate, Tone

Bad: Simple, Cliched

Conclusion: All in all, good, but nothing new.