Submitted photo Vicki Quade, left, is shown with Rose Guccione, a member of her Nuns4Fun Entertainment Chicago-based troupe and the contestant wheel for “Are You Smarter Than An Eighth Grade Nun?”
For those who are game for being a game-show contestant, meet Vicki Quade. As bubbly as any happy huckster on the tube helping possible prize winners cash in on some fabulous bounty.
And at least as funny as most.
She’ll be the host of the lighthearted, fast-paced “Are You As Smarter Than An Eighth-Grade Nun?” original game show fundraiser set at 7:15 p.m. Jan. 27 at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 1306 27th St. in Columbus.
With the help of an audience member who will don a sisterly veil of the traditional nun habit and pose as a semi-stern member of a religious group to keep, um, order. She’ll also quiz contestants on topics including arithmetic, geography, music, reading and more.
The new presentation is just another project of the Chicago-based Quade’s Nuns4Fun Entertainment venture that seamlessly blends faith and fun, and Catholicism and cackles. The event is one way for those traveling a path to reminisce about their Catholic education and raise money for the local church’s youth ministry and liturgy, according to organizers.
“I was watching the Game Show Network during the pandemic in 2020,” Quade said, speaking by phone from her home in the Windy City. “And I suddenly realized, ‘Hey — I can make a game show.’”
And the rest is history — and all those other aforementioned quiz categories. Some of her favorite game shows from her 1960s childhood were “Concentration” and “Jeopardy” with Art Fleming.
A cohort of Quade’s brought another Nuns4Fun show, “Bible Bingo,” to St. Bartholomew last year and attracted an audience of 200. Quade mentioned that, in the new presentation, she’s yet to see an audience volunteer struggle to pull off the sister act.
“They usually really get into it,” she said.
A careful disclaimer from her Republic interview last year bears repeating here: She makes it as clear as holy water that her productions are never mocking or disparaging the faith. In fact, she is upfront about the fact that she has long championed various nuns orders’ work with schools, hospitals, missions, you name it. At some shows, she even has taken a collection for a particular order’s cause.
So, with these shows, think the good-natured comedy of the film “Sister Act,” which Quade figures she has literally watched at least 25 times.
Plenty of nuns themselves have enjoyed the show. Sister Patricia Cielinski of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago was among those.
“This is one classroom where you can laugh and not be sent to the principal’s office,” Cielinski said. “And trust me, you WILL laugh at yourself and others as members of the audience compete on stage for the highest scores and fun prizes.”
On the last visit, those prizes included items such as glow-in-the-dark rosaries to help people see the light, if you will.
And the night is meant to be energetically interactive, though Quade regularly cautions audience members not to shout out answers to contestants.
“I’m always a little nervous beforehand,” Quade said, “because I don’t know the kind of audience I’m going to get.”
She hopes for a lively and boisterous one but, like any good Christian, willing to be led. She’s simply flattered to be invited back to St. Bartholomew.
“It must mean that they had a good time last year,” Quade said. “And it’s an honor.”
And who knows? Maybe she even could return in 2025 with her newest game show spin off “Are You Smarter Than An Eighth Grade Nun? Sports Edition: Sister Ain’t Playing.”
About the event
What: The comic game show presentation “Are You Smarter Than An Eighth Grade Nun?” presented by Vicki Quade of Nuns4Fun Entertainment.
When: Appetizers and cash bar at 6:15 p.m. Jan 27, show at 7:15 p.m.
Where: St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 1306 27th St. in Columbus.
Tickets: $30 at the church office or online at saintbarthomew.org under events.
