The Monk is a riveting gothic masterpiece that explores sexual desire, abuse of power and violent erotic impulses. Adapted by Nirmala Nataraj from Matthew Lewis's horror novel of the same name, the story pivots around a 17th century Spanish friar, Ambrosio (played by long-time NNM member, Ryan Hayes), whose life is crossed by a pair of young women: the tragic nun Agnes (Lisa Swanson) and the impoverished aristocrat Antonia (Margery Fairchild), both of whom contribute to the arrogant cleric's fall from grace. As Ambrosio is guided down a path of dissolution by a mysterious beauty named Matilda (Cassie Powell), the story weaves in and out of the quest for Antonia's hand by the handsome cavalier Don Lorenzo (James Tinsley) and the desperate search by Don Raymond (Paul Rodrigues) for the missing mother of his child. Along the way, ghosts, demons and malicious Mother Superiors intervene; bandits attempt murder on hapless travelers; and nothing short of the Spanish Inquisition turns up for the harrowing finale.