Theatre LaB Houston is certainly living up to the umbrella title of its special series of plays, "Fascinating Women." Opening Jan. 7 is the southwest premiere of Blair Fell's dark satire, The Tragic And Horrible Life Of The Singing Nun. The unfortunate (real-life) Jeanine Deckers became world-famous as Soeur Sourire ("Sister Smile") with her 1963 #1 hit, "Dominique." Her fame was short-lived, however, and her short life ended in suicide. Billed as "a romp with all your favorite nuns," Tragic And Horrible includes visits from Sister Bertril ("Flying Nun"), Mother Teresa, and the Mother Superior from Valley Of The Dolls.

Bill McDonald directs the production, which is "for adult audience only" and "continues TLH's mission to introduce Houston audiences to new and emerging playwrights."

The Tragic And Horrible Life Of The Singing Nun, running on weekends through Feb. 16, will feature Jessica Calvello, Therese Kotara, Christan DeVries, Jimmy Phillips, Bethany Daniels, Rebecca Tindel, Doris Davis, Joseph E. Hudson, Shane Kullberg and Janice Dickard. For tickets ($18) and information, call (713) 868-7516.

--By David Lefkowitz