The joke just may be on the audience come Friday, April 1 when the Reverend Mother takes to the stage at Lodge on the Green, 2888 Ridgeway Avenue, Greece, to entertain for the benefit of The Victory Road Association, a newly formed program that seeks to help area individuals live a better, more fulfilling life.
The evening of entertainment begins at 6 p.m. with a cash bar followed by a buffet dinner and show at 6:30 p.m.
Reverend Mother, aka Phyllis Contestable, has been entertaining local audiences with her special brand of humor since 1980 when she and a friend formed a cabaret duo. In 1986, she landed the role of Reverend Mother in the Downstairs Cabaret production of “Nunsense,” which she played for three years.
A former nun in real life, she attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary and Our Lady of Mercy High School. Upon graduation, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters’ of Mercy. She took her vows and for six years, served as a music teacher.
Today, Contestable teaches as a music specialist at Churchville-Chili Intermediate School. She has a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children and received the 2000 Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Music Teacher of the Year award for her outstanding contribution to the field of music education.
Contestable was also featured as a Fox TV Teacher of the Week. The Italian American Community Center honored her with the “2003 Women of the Year in the Arts” award.
Proceeds from the comedy event will help fund the work of Victory Road, an outgrowth of Petra Place Counseling Center of Greece. Since 2007, Petra Place counselors have provided a wealth of professional counseling and therapy to the community. The Victory Road Team expands the work of the Petra Place, a non profit organization, providing a continuum of care that focuses on total well-being.
Tickets for the event cost $29.95 per person. To purchase, call 730-7777 or visit www.petraplace.org.
Provided information
