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Nunsense
Book, Music and Lyrics By Dan Goggin
Produced by Marriott Theatre
10 Marriott Dr.
Lincolnshire, IL
Tickets: 847-634-0200 or www.marriotttheatre.com, $45 (dinner packages also available, prices vary according to day and restaurant)
Wed-Sat at 8:00, Sun at 5:00 (Matinees Wed & Sun at 1:00, Sat at 2:30)
Running time is 2 hours 10 minutes with one intermission
Through July 13th
Still Crazy After All These Years
The hilarious and long-running 80’s off-Broadway musical smash, “Nunsense,” has received a thorough updating of its campy humor and has audiences rolling in the aisles at Marriott’s prestigious theatre in Lincolnshire. Director Rachel Rockwell has gathered a perfect equity cast that includes veteran Marriott performers along with a show-stopping newcomer, Melody A. Betts, as the irascible Sister Mary Hubert, Mistress of Novices. The irreverent send-up of convent life is yeoman’s work for these talented women; however, their combined energy is anything but common. In fact, it is a toss-up as to who has more fun, the cast or the audience. This particular group of nuns are rapturous and their condition is infectious.
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“Nunsense” takes place at a fundraiser for the unfortunate Little Sisters of Aptakisic, whose cook, Sister Julia (“child of God”), has recently poisoned 52 of the blessed order with a pot of putrid vichyssoise. The insurance didn’t quite stretch for 52 burials – at least not after the recent acquisition of a plasma TV – so four of the order are still laid out in the kitchen freezer, much to the consternation a health department that doesn’t believe in angelic assumption. Hence, the urgent need for the sisters’ outlandish benefit performance. And outlandish it is. The cast for the fundraiser consists of Mother Superior Mary Regina (Alene Robertson) who has a penchant for Jack Daniels-filled chocolates; Sister Mary Hubert, Mistress of Novices (Betts); Sister Robert-Anne (Debbie Laumand-Blanc), who just wants to be a star, but has been frustratingly named the fundraiser’s understudy; Sister Mary Amnesia (Abby Mueller), an unfortunate young nun who has forgotten her country singer life since a crucifix hit her on the head; and wannabe ballet dancer, Sister Mary Leo (Laura Taylor).
Unapologetically low-brow, the puns, one-liners, and sight gags just won’t stop. “Nunsense” is fast-paced and funny and it appeals to a wide range of theatergoers - though the opening night audience at Marriott mostly ranged between ancient and death. That notwithstanding, it was a lively audience that clapped along, shouted out answers, and enthusiastically engaged with the Sisters. “Nunsense” needs close contact with the audience to make the humor work. The success of the show relies on a present audience. In its off-Broadway beginnings, audiences were quite participative because of the up-close threat of having the nuns getting on them if they did not. In the 900-seat theatre round of the Marriott this tension could be easily lost, but the cast is up to the task of drawing the audience in and the result is that everyone has fun at this show. As noted, many of the contemporary culture references have been updated and it is refreshing to see a production of “Nunsense” that remains true to the show’s funny spirit rather than treating it as a period piece.
The snobbier of the musical set are no doubt appalled that the exalted Marriott panders to such plebian tastes in order to fill up some seats, but the voices and the talent of this cast are simply undeniable. Sister Robert Anne’s “Playing Second Fiddle” is a first act standout and Melody Betts’ Sister Hubert lets loose her thunderous gospel cords to lead the cast through a heavenly “Holier Than Thou” finale that rocks the house and brings the audience to its feet. For sheer mindless fun and laughter, Marriott’s “Nunsense” is hard to beat.
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Randy Hardwick
randyontheglobe@yahoo.com fro comments
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2008
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