As a bonus show this summer, the Glendale Centre Theatre is presenting
Dan Goggin's hilarious musical comedy "Nunsense."
Directed by
George Strattan - himself a master of laughter - and starring five talented women vocalists as the Little Sisters of Hoboken, "Nunsense" guarantees a night of fun you won't soon forget.
As explained in song and dialogue, the Sisters are putting on a benefit "talent show" to raise money so they can to bury the remaining four (out of 52) nuns who were accidentally poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia, and who are temporarily "on ice" in the freezer.
Sister Mary Regina, as Mother Superior (played by
Dynell Leigh), tries to keep control of the gang, but loses it completely at the end of Act One with an incredible performance that has the audience roaring with laughter.
Sister Mary Hubert (played by
Katsy Chappell) is second-in-command as the Mistress of Novices. She fumes over her "given" name, aspires to the top position, and takes every opportunity to "tattle" on Mother Superior.
Robert Anne (played by
Ashley Martinez) is the wise-cracking sister with the Jersey accent who chafes at being "the under-study." When Mother Superior becomes temporarily indisposed, she gets her chance to shine and captivates the audience with a series of clever impersonations (using the long ends of her wimple), and with a jubilant "I Just Want to Be a Star" number.
The young novice Sister Mary Leo (played by
Lyndie Renee) amazes the audience by her dancing ability in the whimsical "Dying Nun Ballet."
Jennifer Strattan plays the hysterically funny Sister Mary Amnesia, who has forgotten who she is. She embarrasses the other nuns with her simple-minded statements, but she captivates the audience with her innocent, wide-eyed smiles and has them in stitches with her "Quiz," complete with "appropriate" prizes. Her "I Could Have Gone to Nashville" number is poignant, but ultimately ushers in the climax.
Unusual to the theater is the live three-piece band (
Steven Applegate, Phillip Moore, and
Tom Zygmont) that accompanies the singing. A word of caution: the sound is a bit overpowering on the east side of the theater.
"Nunsense" plays on select Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 8 through Aug. 15.
The theater is located at 324 N. Orange Street in Glendale. Admission is $22 ($10 for season ticket holders)
Call early for reservations because this show will fill quickly, (818) 244-8481. (And be sure to arrive a few minutes early so you can peruse the Playbill - a tongue-in-cheek spoof guaranteed to get you into the laughing mood.)