Are You Priest Enough?: religulus to the end

I heard of someone who walked out of the same show as I did, wanting their money back….  Wow. Was it THAT bad? Did they not like the subject matter? Were they Catholic? Presbyterian, perhaps? I didn’t get a chance to ask them so I’ll never know….

For myself, I’m not too much from the Christian bent (though I know enough to not go down that path) so my take was a touch lighter. It was an hour of my life that was entertained and amused.  Perhaps it was not enriched, but it was definitely not wasted.

Bob Legare is the man responsible for this self-professed “zany musical romp through the seminary”. From the opening moments of the ‘original’ title track to the Trooper lyrics and beyond, Bob does his damnedest to lead us through his journey from a young man to almost priest. Conflicts and resolutions: addressed and discovered by self, with help from spiritual mentors AND from ‘on high’ dot the landscape of this poor soul’s journey. Some are huge, (how can one believe in a church that allows child molesters to roam free for years?) and some are small, (is When Harry Met Sally the right kind of date movie for a man in his first year of the seminary?). You be the judge.

This is a fun little show with a great premise and some interesting songs (the one dealing with the ‘general confession’ is very funny) however it does have its shortcomings. One of those, unfortunately, is that it requires an extremely skilled performer. Mr Legare, though willing, is not entirely able. I would love to see this piece in the hands of a man more fitting the age of the protagonist and with a stronger voice. Of course I’d also like to see that sexy nun realized, but I’m going to hell for my own reasons, not Bob’s.

All that said; I’d take Are You Priest Enough? over the Gospel of John for my religious education any day of the week.

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