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Portraits By William Dietrich
Aubrey Manning / Has made a habit of having fun
Every actress dreams of the role of a lifetime, but Aubrey Manning takes that goal literally. She's been "Sister," the ruler-rapping teacher of "Late Nite Catechism," for nine years, the longest-running show in Seattle history. The cheerfully strict nun is a brilliant comedic improviser, reinvigorating the play with quips on the current news. Her quick-witted, unrehearsed interactions with her "sweeties," the audience at ACT Theater, leaves 'em howling — and thinking — because she's a master at having fun by poking fun at the Roman Catholic Church she admires. Does she get signs from above? She and her family walked away from their earthquake-destroyed home in Los Angeles to come to Seattle in 1994. Then they put their home here up for sale on Sept. 11, 2001. Friends have since asked for warning of new real-estate moves. "I also say a prayer now every single night to the Holy Spirit, and then thoughts come out of my mouth during the play I was not expecting," the church-goer says. She even holds a collection basket at the end, and has brought in $300,000 over the years for elderly nuns who have no pension or social security. Manning, now 55, took on the Seattle role shortly after the play by Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan (Donovan originated the role) opened here. The show also runs in other cities. Raised Catholic in Richmond, Va., Manning trained as an actress in New York and Los Angeles. She's done film, TV and radio work, spent 11 years as a singing waitress, worked cruise ships and won awards. She's married to Rob Manning, who plays piano at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. On stage, Aubrey Manning inhabits her habit with authority. She studies the life of a saint each day, bringing her expertise into the show. On any given night, she will get to only part of "Catechism's" 35-page script. Her dream is to take "Catechism" to the troops — her father was a World War II and Korea veteran — but in the meantime she's happy to keep everyone from atheists to nuns laughing. Even when they're in lay clothing, "I can pick a nun out a mile away," she says with her infectious smile. "You still see the veil."
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