Charles Busch never disappoints. His over-the-top comedies are pure A+ Camp with nothing but the best in visuals and color palettes. With classics like “Die, Mommie, Die!” and “Psycho Beach Party” being two such amazing examples of his work, it’s almost hard to believe that he’s still able to top himself. Stageworks Theatre’s production of the playwright’s 2010 play “The Divine Sister” proves that not only has Busch not lost one bit of his crass, yet clever humor, but that their cast was more than able to take on his…interesting sensibilities.

“The Divine Sister” tells the story of a struggling convent school, St. Veronica’s, on the verge of closure in 1960s Pittsburgh. It follows a small group of nuns as they try to come up with ways of saving their home. Their lives are complicated, and their pasts perhaps moreso, if not altogether seedy. The story has it all. Spies, conspiracy, secret societies, clairvoyants, and of course, lesbians…and feces consumption.

The Mother Superior (Matthew McGee) jovially rides up on her bicycle, giant eyelashes aflutter, wide smile framed in magenta lipstick, and the show officially kicks off. Now, it’s a general rule of thumb that McGee will take over any stage he graces. His charisma and wit are always a showstopper. That being said, his costars are just as on the level, never missing a beat, or punch line.

Photos by Caroline Jett

Agnes (Nicole Jeannine Smith) is the newest, and youngest St. Veronicas sister. She can really only be described as a psychotic Disney princess. She has visions, bites animals heads off, and even totes around a pair of urine-stained boys’ underwear that she claims to see Jesus in. So, you know, pretty standard nun malarkey.

Another new recruit, sent over from a German sister convent, is Sister Walburga (Jonelle Meyer). Whether she’s sneaking through dank dungeons on sketchy business, or ranting with eyes twitched, the always hysterical Meyer is a true master of the hyperbolic comedy.

In true Busch fashion, almost everything in the show is satire, mostly in relation to Hollywood representations of religion, but some also rooted in 1960s prejudices. The full story has so much intrigue and drama, that it only adds to the show’s comedy. If you’re as demented as I am, then you’ll immediately be in on the joke. If you’re not, then well, I guess you might not like this show…or life. Or much of anything. And for that, I feel sorry for you.

The Divine Sister runs though August 21-24 at Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., West Bldg., #151.
Tickets: $30. www.stageworkstheatre.org, or (813)374-2416 for more info.