Who Can Go Wrong With Singing and Dancing Nuns?

Singing and dancing nuns. Who can resist them? Dan Goggin took a lesson from the singing and dancing Chasids of Fiddler on the Roof back in 1986 and created “Nunsense“, That show featured the Little Sisters of Hoboken, who discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters, and they are in dire need of funds for the burials. The sisters decide that the best way to raise the money is to put on a variety show. The sisters consist of Reverend Mother Regina, a former circus performer; Sister Mary Hubert, the Mistress of Novices;a streetwise nun from Brooklyn named Sister Robert Anne; Sister Mary Leo, a novice who is a wannabe ballerina; and the delightfully wacky Sister Mary Amnesia, the nun wholost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head, and whose alter-ego is a puppet, Sister Mary Annette. This show was a success around the country due to its humor, its good music, and the fact that it could be put on relatively easily with a small cast. Goggin subsequently went back to the Convent for more shows: “Nunsense II: The Second Coming“, “Sister Amnesia’s Country Western Nunsense Jamboree“, “Nuncrackers”, and “Meshuggah-Nuns. The sixth show in the series, “Nunsensations” is the show we saw last night at the Lyric Theatre in Hollywood. [And you should be scared, because “Nunsensations” isn’t the last one. There is also “Nunsense A-Men (an all male version of the first show), “Nunset Boulevard”, and “Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class”]. I’ll note this was the Los Angeles premier of “Nunsensations”

The basic plot of “Nunsenstations” doesn’t matter (oops) is just an excuse for the sisters to do a variety show (oops) is that the Sisters have been told by a Hoboken parishioner that he will donate $10,000 to their school if the Sisters go to Las Vegas and perform in a friend’s showroom. Reverend Mother has serious doubts about appearing in “Sin City.” However, after convincing her that “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” the Sisters plan their program…. and this is their show, from the Pump Room Lounge of the Mystique Motor Lodge in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hmmm. Perhaps my first two answers were correct after all.

“Nunsensations” has the virtue that it is moderately entertaining, is quite humerous, and can tolerate quite a range of actresses (after all, the nuns are novices (rimshot)). Of course, it is better if the nuns are good singers and dancers, and astounding if they are great singers and dancers. The sets don’t have to be fancy, and a single piano accompaniment is fine. It has the problem in that the story and the music are essentially recycled from the previous Nunsense musicals—certain plot elements always show up. But you didn’t come for the plot. You came for the singing and dancing nuns, right?

Alas, the Lyric production didn’t fall into the great category, but it was pretty good. The singing quality could have been a bit stronger, but for the most part it was quite good. I was also impressed by comic abilities and facial expressions of a majority of the cast. My favorites were Tracy McBurnett as Sister Mary Leo, and Becky Birdsong as Sister Robert Anne. McBurnett just had fun with the role: her face was extremely expressive and her movement was great. Birdsong also had a wonderfully expressive face. Also strong was Doreen Calderon^æ as Sister Mary Amnesia—again, a very expressive face, although she could have been a bit stronger with Sister Mary Annette. Rounding out the cast were Bonnie Snyder as Reverend Mother and Dorrie Braun as Sister Mary Hubert. Music was provided by Lauren Buck Fraley.

This crew was directed by Amy Rowell, who did a reasonable job of creating the characters. Sister Robert Anne could have come across a bit more “Brooklyn Hood”, and Sister Mary Hubert a bit more stern. Choreography was by Josh Brodis. The set was designed by Allan Jensen, who did a good job of turning the black box of the Lyric into a low-budget facsimile of a Las Vegas Motor Hotel stage. Costumes and props were by Leslie Guardado. Lighting Design was by Irina Khodorkovsky. Sound was by Lucas Lilieholm. Allen Jensen was the production manager, and Stephaine Boltjes was the stage manager. The production was produced by Thomas Colby and Dorrie Braun.

“Nunsensations” continues at the Lyric Theatre until March 13. Tickets are available via BrownPaperTickets and Goldstar. Upcoming productions at the Lyric Theatre are the Los Angeles premier of “Lust n’ Rust: The Trailer Park Musical” (March 25-April 30, 2011) and the little-produced Jerry Herman musical, “Dear World” (May 13-June 13, 2011). I may get tickets to “Dear World”.

Upcoming Theatre, Concerts, and Dance: Saturday March 12 sees us back at Van Nuys High School to see “Evita”, at Van Nuys High School. Sunday, March 13 is “The Cradle Will Rock” at the Blank Theatre. March 19 brings “Having It All” at the NoHo Arts Center. Lastly, March 26 brings “The Diary of Anne Frank” at Repertory East. April will bring the Renaissance Faire on the weekend of April 9. April 16 brings “The Producers” at Cabrillo Music Theatre. April 23rd, which is during Pesach, brings the last show of the current Colony season, “The All Night Strut” at the Colony Theatre. The last weekend of April is being held open (i.e., pending ticketing) for Brian Stokes Mitchell at the new Valley Performing Arts Center. May is just starting to shape up, with the first weekend being held for “God of Carnage” at the Ahmanson Theatre (pending Hottix) and “Cabaret” at REP East on May 28.