Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help

by Katie Forgette

The play tells the story of the O'Sheas, a cash-challenged, Irish-Catholic family just trying to get through 1973. Linda O'Shea, our 19-year old narrator, is attempting to re-enact for the audience the most turbulent day of her life, her own, very personal Saturday Night Massacre...but her family keeps interrupting, insisting on telling their side of the story. The 1970s was a time of old school living. No...

The play tells the story of the O'Sheas, a cash-challenged, Irish-Catholic family just trying to get through 1973. Linda O'Shea, our 19-year old narrator, is attempting to re-enact for the audience the most turbulent day of her life, her own, very personal Saturday Night Massacre...but her family keeps interrupting, insisting on telling their side of the story. The 1970s was a time of old school living. No Facebook, no tweets, no texting. A time when public ridicule in a close-knit, hermetically sealed Catholic parish was the ultimate nightmare. When Linda’s mother leaves it to Linda to tell her younger sister about the birds and the bees, the bawdy conversation is somehow overheard by the parish priest...and Father Lovett is not amused. He sets out to confront the family about "the corruption of their eldest daughter's soul."

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Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Recommended by

  • Cherielyn Ferguson: Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help by Katie Forgette
    “

    I laughed out loud more times than I can count as I read this funny and touching play. And as I think back on a few of the best lines, I'm laughing again. Wonderful parts for four women and a terrific role for a man who can serially embody a working-class father, a priest, and a troublesome female parishioner/neighbor. It's no wonder Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help continues to rack up productions. I wish there was going to be one near me! Or that I could be in it . . .

    I laughed out loud more times than I can count as I read this funny and touching play. And as I think back on a few of the best lines, I'm laughing again. Wonderful parts for four women and a terrific role for a man who can serially embody a working-class father, a priest, and a troublesome female parishioner/neighbor. It's no wonder Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help continues to rack up productions. I wish there was going to be one near me! Or that I could be in it . . .

    ”
  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend: Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help by Katie Forgette
    “

    This memory play is terrific! College-age Linda introduces us to her Irish Catholic family and together - with lots of asides, comedic interruptions, and requests for monologues - they tell the story of one week in 1973 that almost destroyed Linda's reputation forever. The characters are all so distinct, and I loved watching them interact with each other. I would love to see this one live!

    This memory play is terrific! College-age Linda introduces us to her Irish Catholic family and together - with lots of asides, comedic interruptions, and requests for monologues - they tell the story of one week in 1973 that almost destroyed Linda's reputation forever. The characters are all so distinct, and I loved watching them interact with each other. I would love to see this one live!

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help by Katie Forgette
    “

    An incredibly funny and relatable comedy to anyone who grew up in a religious household. Well done.

    An incredibly funny and relatable comedy to anyone who grew up in a religious household. Well done.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Production History

  • Professional, Majestic Theater, 2025
  • Professional, North Coast Rep, 2024
  • Professional, Public Theatre (Maine), 2024
  • Professional, Asolo Repertory Theatre, 2023
  • Professional, Penguin Rep, 2023
  • Professional, Theatre 40, 2023
  • Professional, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 2022
  • Professional, Greater Boston Stage Company, 2022
  • Professional, The Human Race Theatre Company, 2022
  • Professional, Chenango River Theatre, 2019