A chorus line of nuns, dressed in full clerical garb, kick off the Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT) musical for Season 51. “Nunsense,” one of off-Broadway’s biggest successes, ran for 3,672 performances from 1982 to 1993. By the time it closed it had been translated into 21 languages with more than 5,000 productions worldwide. Writer/composer Dan Goggin followed it with six sequels featuring the zany antics of “The Little Sisters of Hoboken.”
Originally a missionary order operating a leper colony on an island off the south of France, the sisters lost control of it, literally by a nose, to Protestant rivals. The nuns then hightailed it back to Hoboken, New Jersey to operate Mount Saint Helen’s School. The Reverend Mother and four others of the order skipped dinner, and were out for the evening playing bingo with a cut-throat group from the Maryknoll convent. They arrived back home to find 52 sisters face down in their vichyssoise, dead from botulism. The Reverend Mother had a vision telling her to start a greeting card company to raise money to bury the 52 sisters. The company was very successful and, thinking there was more than ample money in the account, Mother splurged on a 60-inch, flat-screen color T.V. Belatedly, an error was discovered and having only enough money to bury 48 of the nuns, the remaining 4 were kept on ice in the basement freezer. The sisters needed to find a way to make some fast money as the yearly Health Department inspection had been postponed too many times. Having had another vision, Mother declared that having a talent show would be their only salvation.
I happened to see the off-Broadway show of “Nunsense” in 1993. It was hysterical then and more so now. Due to a few deliberate changes and some “accidental” ones, the LLT production – directed and choreographed by Barbara Clippinger, with Judy Hendrick as musical director – puts a unique spin on this raucous comedy. Originally written for five nuns, due to so many talented gals auditioning, the cast was expanded to ten. Instead of the austere backdrop of an old convent, the lights go up on a colorful set of the musical “Grease.” The Reverend Mother explains that this is because the 8th-grade class is preparing to do this musical show and the nuns promised not to disturb their set. Also, the song “Would Jesus Wear A Rolex” a spoof about T.V. evangelists, was added.
The real show begins with a prayer and introduction of all the sisters. They explain the history and transition of their order and what the usual daily routine of convent life is like. The audience is invited to take part in a Q&A about what they have just learned and prizes are awarded for correct answers. Wendy Peterson (Sister Hubert) is in charge of training the novices and trying to instill humility in them in preparation for a life of religious service. Wendy has appeared in several previous musicals at LLT and does a great job as a soloist and also in the chorus. Cindy Paul (Sister Robert Anne) is frustrated at always having to defer to Mother and makes no bones about just wanting to be a star. Cindy is back with LLT after a long sabbatical and she lends her considerable acting and musical talents to the show. Judy Hendrick (Sister Mary Amnesia) is so named because a crucifix fell on her head and she has no memory of who she is. Judy rose to the challenge of singing, dancing and puppeteering with a natural flair. Heather Hunter (Sister Mary Leo) plays a novice, who is hoping to discover a way to combine her talent for ballet with being a nun. She performs a comedic rendition of Swan Lake with the swan dying after being shot with an arrow.
Peggy Lord Chilton (Rev. Mother Sister Mary Regina) is a feisty, no nonsense administrator who thinks up some creative solutions to the sisters’ current problem. During the show she reveals that she gave up a promising career as a high-wire walker to enter the convent in a deal with God if he saved her family after the wire broke while they were walking over the River Thames. Later in the show the good Mother gets totally stoned after huffing a can of Rush and her ensuing performance had the audience rolling in the aisles. The show ends with Sister Amnesia regaining her memory and discovering she is the big winner in the Publishers’ Clearing House Sweepstakes.
Supporting cast members Amaranta Santos, Allyson De Jong, Lila Wells, Amy Friend and Kristine Moily did a great job adding to the chorus. Rob Stupple created the puppet Sister Annett and Mac Morison gave her a voice.
There is an interesting back story to this production of “Nunsense.” About two weeks before rehearsals started Peggy Lord Chilton broke her leg. The consummate actor, she insisted “The Show Must Go On.” The director and choreographer, along with the musical director, began rewriting and blocking the show to accommodate the Rev. Mother in a wheelchair. The end product was brilliant and gave Peggy’s character some really outrageous moments. A standing ovation to Peggy for being a real trouper! Also working on this production are Stage Manager Win McIntosh and her assistants; Heather Hunter, assistant choreographer; Holly Haas, set designer, and Johanna Clark for costumes. Numerous others, too many to mention, worked tirelessly to make “Nunsense” such a success.
The show continues through Tuesday, March 1. Tickets for the remaining evening 7:30 p.m. shows and Sunday’s 3 p.m. matinee can be purchased one hour before show time at the LLT box office.