by Bob Hart
Special to The Leaven
LEAVENWORTH — They were separated by centuries. And united in faith.
St. Teresa of Ávila had such a profound effect on Edith Stein that reading Teresa’s autobiography prompted Stein, a Jewish woman living in Nazi Germany, to convert to Catholicism and become a Discalced Carmelite nun.
Stein was later canonized as a martyr and saint of the Catholic Church following her death in the Auschwitz concentration camp.
The two come together in a new one-woman play, “To Pray Marvelously Well: The Spiritual Friendship of St. Edith Stein and St. Teresa of Ávila,” which will have its world premiere Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. in the O’Shea Conference Center at the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth motherhouse. A second performance will be given the following day, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m. at the Precious Blood Renewal Center in Liberty, Missouri.
“One of the reasons I felt so strongly about doing this show is that both women were contemplatives,” said Lisa Wagner-Carollo, the actress who portrays both saints in the production, “and that’s something I’m focusing on in my own spiritual life.”
Wagner-Carollo, an Overland Park native and founder of Chicago-based Still Point Theatre Collective, has toured, both in the United States and internationally, in another one-woman show, “Haunted by God: The Life of Dorothy Day,” for more than 30 years. Her company has created and toured 10 other original productions as well.
She said it is particularly fitting that the new show will have its premiere with the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth.
“They have been such a huge part of our history,” she said, “with their support and sponsorship, and just their unwavering belief in our work. In many ways, this show has turned out to be a gift to women religious, with enormous gratitude.”
The new play, which runs one hour, was written by Chicago playwright Jenny Magnus and directed by Virginia Smith, who also directed “Haunted by God.” For more information about the Leavenworth performance, call the Marillac Retreat and Spirituality Center at (913) 758-6552.
Like its Still Point predecessors, “To Pray Marvelously Well” is intended to be an ongoing touring production. Those interested in learning more about hosting a future performance may contact Wagner-Carollo by calling (773) 868-1700 or by email: at stillpointc@aol.com.
