CATHOLIC GUILT
Photo by Glass Canary Photography
SEX, MORTAL SIN, THE HOT BODY OF CHRIST!
Did you also go to Catholic school from 1st through 12th grade? Do you also find Jesus’s naked body on the cross sexy? Me too. We dive into that and much more such as: losing our virginity in the most holy way, abortion, a cosmic bowling experience that leads to eternal damnation, and the list goes on…
In this daring and immersive production, McCaughan fearlessly challenges the deep-rooted sensibilities surrounding religion. Part clown, part theater, part standup, Catholic Guilt offers a poignant, subversive, and hilarious exploration of the impossible standards imposed by the Catholic Church from a female perspective.
This show is for anyone who wants to release shame and guilt in the most unholy way. We will laugh. We will sin. Will we make it to hell together?
The internationally critically acclaimed fringe hit Catholic Guilt was just in consideration for best show with the 2024 ISH Edinburgh Comedy awards and was nominated for best newcomer with the 2023 ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards. It had a sold out run and garnered rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Mumble Comedy “I suspect that to get an opportunity to experience what is one of the finest shows I have seen at The Fringe, or indeed anywhere, will require hasty action on your part. ‘Book now to avoid dissappointment.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -A Young(ish) Perspective. "In the end, Catholic Guilt is unconventionally enjoyable and conventionally challenging, a theatrical experience that pushes boundaries and provokes thought".
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ -Pow Showbiz "Catholic Guilt is 100% a guilty pleasure. Kelly McCaughan is explicit in all the right and wrong ways you never knew you wanted."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Fringe Mum "Superb."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ -Gig Gossip "McCaughan’s unwavering commitment to her craft shines through, providing the audience with a thought-provoking and unforgettable theatrical experience."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ -Chortle "Catholic Guilt is a raunchy, unhinged clapback at every sexual and social hang-up instilled into her by years of religious indoctrination, which makes for an outrageously entertaining hour."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -The List. "A hugely entertaining clash of overbearing faith with irresistible sin."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -The Wee. "Catholic Guilt" is brilliantly performed, genuinely shocking (not an easy feat at the Fringe), and a work of extraordinary boldness."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Scots Up. "Irreverent, shockingly brilliant one woman theatre to change your perspective on 'God'."
Catholic Guilt has toured nationally to The Elysian Theater (LA), Union Hall (NYC), The Rockwell (Boston), Caveat (NYC), Fringearts (Philly), Theatre Exile (Philly), Benson Theater (Omaha) and has been gaining momentum ever since.
Additionally, it was listed in Philly magazine as one of the picks for “Your best Fringe Festival” as well as The Philadelphia Inquirer for "Fringe Festers' guide to what you should be watching at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival."
Catholic Guilt was first performed and developed as part of the 2017 Philadelphia SoloFest. It was featured in The Wilma Theater’s Crush Series, and has had multiple sold out runs on the East Coast.
*TOUR PACKET AND FULL VIDEO OF SHOW AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST*
“I’ve been thinking and talking about Catholic Guilt so much since Friday night. I’ve never laughed that hard when at a show. Ever. I was laughing so hard I was screaming with tears coming down my face to the point where I was feeling out of control...and then there were moments with such profound weight and I was moved beyond belief.”- Audience member
”Thank you so much for squeezing me in. I can’t believe I almost missed this. I’m going to be thinking about this show for a while. I needed to see this. Break legs with your run in Edinburgh! Y’all, when she is back in the states, have HAVE to see it” - Audience member
”You were PHENOMENAL!!! Truly your show is so good! The writing is brilliant and hilarious. It’s so relatable and I think it makes each individual think about their own story. And your performance is just so wonderful!” - Audience member
”Your presence on stage is just unreal. It was such a GIFT seeing you perform on Friday night. You are beyond incredible, and I left feeling so inspired by you, Kelly!”
- Audience member
”It was f***ing amazing. So funny and so well thought out. I found all the mass stuff oddly comforting...I’m glad I got to witness it.” - Audience member
”Literally AMAZING work. The performance, the storytelling, costumes!! Everything was so passionate and playful and profound...” - Audience member
”If you are a recovering Catholic and need a cathartic, irreverent and yet honest look at what it can mean to grow up in the church, you would do well to see this tour de force performance by the wonderful Kelly McCaughan. Tragic, hilarious, brave, compelling, memorable.”
- Audience member
”I’m still wowed this morning. That was incredible. Smart, funny, cathartic. All the things.”
- Audience member
”Kelly McCaughan is something akin to a genius.”
- Audience member
”Iconic.”
- Audience member
”Catholic Guilt makes me wanna sin! This is an artist with a capital A!!! Eat your heart out Nathaniel Hawthorne!!!”
- Audience member
”THIS WAS SO GOOD.” - Audience member”
Click any image for larger view.
Top row left to right by Glass Canary Photography
The rest done by Bob Sweeney