By Cari Lynn Pace
Five zany nuns concoct an urgent plan to hold a fundraiser in Nunsense, the latest production of the Novato Theater Company. Dan Goggin’s musical comedy began as a line of greeting cards featuring nuns with a wicked slant. It grew into an off-Broadway production that ran for ten years, the second-longest-running show to date.
“ … Whether or not you enjoyed a Catholic school experience, these nuns will make you laugh out loud …”
Do you have any experience with Catholic school nuns? It matters not for this laugh-out-loud comedy. The Little Sisters of Hoboken are indeed a motley crew. The cadre of Nunsense actors is talented and well-cast, though somewhat difficult to recognize beneath their full black-and-white habits.
L-R: Lauren Sutton-Beattie, Tina Smith, Nicole Thordsen, Kristine Ann Lowry.
Reverend Mother (Jane Harrington) is in charge, ever vigilant to keep order in the order. Sister Mary Hubert (Kristine Ann Lowry) awaits her chance to take over while supervising the fundraiser’s progress. Sister Leo (Lauren Sutton-Beattie) practices her long-lost ballet skills. Sister Mary Amnesia (Nicole Thordsen) brings her operatic voice and a faulty memory to the stage. Sister Robert Anne (Tina Smith) is quick with the jokes as she seeks more of the limelight.
These nuns are praying toraise money, and soon, despite a conflict with the school’s current stage set of Grease. What they lack in skills they make up for in heaven-sent enthusiasm, and the show must go on.
Director Lisa Morse brings the laughter out of this cast of characters, while Marilyn Izdebski crafted choreography to match Nick Brown’s musical direction. That said, this reviewer felt that the band at times overpowered the humorous lyrics and voices onstage. Two dozen songs range from serene (“Veni Creator Spiritus,”) to witty (“The Biggest Ain’t the Best”,) to silly (“Clean Out the Freezer”) all in great fun.
Nunsense offers a collection plate full of high jinks, something you don’t usually see in a habit. Don’t miss it!
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ASR Writer & Editor Cari Lynn Pace is a voting member of SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle and writes theatre and lifestyle reviews for the Marinscope Community Newspapers throughout Marin County. Contact: pace-koch@comcast.net
| Production | Nunsense |
|---|---|
| Written by | Dan Goggin |
| Directed by | Lisa Morse |
| Producing Company | Novato Theater Company |
| Production Dates | Thru Oct 6th, 2024 |
| Production Address | Novato Theater Company 5420 Nave Drive, Novato 94949 |
| Website | NovatoTheaterCompany.org |
| Telephone | (415) 883-4498 |
| Tickets | $25 – $35 |
| Reviewer Score | Max in each category is 5/5 |
| Overall | 4./5.0 |
| Performance | 4./5.0 |
| Script | 4./5.0 |
| Stagecraft | 4./5.0 |
| Aisle Seat Review PICK? | YES |