Nunsense
Release Date: 7/27/2001. Expired: 9/14/2001
If a good time to you consists of wacky fun, uproarious horseplay and side-splitting jokes, then the musical comedy Nunsense will be heaven-sent. This new Renaissance Center Gaslight Dinner Theatre production opens Friday, August 3 and tickets are $25. A catered dinner is provided buffet style at 6:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The story centers around the Little Sisters of Hoboken who operate Mount Saint Helen’s School in Hoboken, New Jersey. They lived a quiet existence until one fateful day their cook, Sister Julia -- Child of God, unknowingly served some tainted vichyssoise soup and 52 sisters died of botulism. Fortunately, a few of the sisters were off playing bingo and were spared.
Upon discovering the disaster, Reverend Mother had a vision in which she was told to start a greeting card company to raise funds for the burials of the 52. The greeting cards were an enormous success and thinking there was plenty of money, Reverend Mother buys a VCR for the convent. When, to her dismay, she realizes there is only enough money left to bury 48 of the stiff sisters, she decides to stage a talent show to raise the money needed to bury the last four sisters who were put in the convent deep freeze.
However, raising the money before the health inspector catches on to the fact that the sisters are on ice makes for an evening of unforgettable comedy.
Adapted for the Gaslight Dinner Theatre stage by Pacer Harp, actor and director of the Gaslight Dinner Theatre for the center, he brings a wealth of comedic talent and experience to the production. Harp’s first bid as director was with the February-March Dinner Theatre production of Last of the Red Hot Lovers, which was a huge success.
“This is my second directing job so I’m trying my hand at comedy again,” stated Harp whose directing experience previous to the Renaissance Center includes choreographing and being assistant director in several productions. “I am interested in doing more directing but I prefer to stay with comedies at this time because I feel that’s what I do best as an actor. As the director of a comedy, it is easier for me to translate what I want to another actor.”
Directing, while fun and challenging, is no easy feat according to Harp. He is responsible for casting, staging and choreographing the rehearsals and obtaining costumes and props.
“In a musical comedy, a director has a responsibility to his cast to make sure they feel confident and secure in their character; but, also a responsibility to the audience that they will be fully entertained,” continued Harp.
The cast includes Jan Dial, director of drama and theatre, as Reverend Mother. As the play unfolds and the talent show gets underway, Reverend Mother decides that she really likes being in the spotlight. And coming from a family of entertainers, she and the audience discover that she is a natural.
Sister Robert Anne, played by Kim Leavitt, director of drama education, is disappointed not to have been chosen by Reverend Mother to be in the talent show. Not content to be just an understudy, she spends her time coming up with gimmicks to prove that she’s good enough to be in the show.
Alix Jones of the center’s Rep Company portrays Sister Mary Leo, the novice. Already frustrated with life as a ‘beginning nun,’ she dreams of becoming a famous ballerina and practices in her room every morning while doing her morning prayers.
Sister Mary Amnesia, played by Amy Arrington also of the Rep Company, brings delight to this off-the-wall character so named when a crucifix fell on her head. A character of innocence, she looks to each day with a child-like joy. She is a would-be country singer whose irresistibly goofy grin is as wide as her memory is short.
Sister Mary Hubert, Mistress of the Novices, is portrayed by Sarah Earls. She is the wife of Harvey Earls, director of piano at the center and accompanist for this production. Sister Mary Hubert, while ‘second in command,’ keeps everyone in line, including Reverend Mother and does her toe-tapping part in the talent show.
“The Dinner Theatre has enjoyed much success in its first few months,” adds Harp. “We have made improvements in the theatre by adding tiered seating. Not only does the audience have a better view of the performance but the actors have the benefit of a better view of their audience. Forever Plaid, which just ended, enjoyed four sell-outs and several near sell-outs. And we hope to continue this success by offering the same caliber of intimate entertainment which is what dinner theatre is all about.
“I feel so strongly that this show will be another success because we are lucky to have the talent of five very strong female singers and dancers. Each of these actresses comes into the show with experience, lengthy resumes and their own brand of individual humor and charm. The audience will love the unexpected, but very happy ending.”
Written by playwright Don Goggin and hailed by critics as a ‘habit-forming’ musical, Nunsense is now the second longest running off-Broadway show in history. It has been translated into ten different languages and is currently playing in over 300 theatres around the world. The author spent a great deal of his life around nuns and wanted to share some of his wonderful memories. The characters of the show are based on “real life” nuns.
Nunsense opens August 3 and plays each Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Gaslight Dinner Theatre through September 14. Dinner and the show are $25. For reservations, call (615)740-5600. For private bookings, contact LeAnn Polk, director of events, at (615)740-5503.
Visit the Gaslight Dinner Theatre page for more about dinner theatre.
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