Video Promo: Nunsense by Dan Grogan, Gaslight Baker Theatre, Lockhart, August 23 - September 14, 2013

Video promo for the

presentation of

 

A Musical Comedy

Written by Dan Goggin

Directed by Steve Lawson

Aug. 23 - Sept. 14, 2013

216 S. Main Street, Lockhart, TX - click for map

With wacky fun, uproarious horseplay, and side-splitting jokes, Nunsense is a madcap revue that satirizes convent life with a hysterical anything-goes sense of fun. Five nuns develop their song-and-dance routines, conduct an audience quiz, and indulge in other hilarious shenanigans. Jokes, songs and dancing nuns add up to one of the silliest musical celebrations ever! This “Sister Act” will convince you once and for all that nuns do have a serious funny bone!

Click Here to Purchase Tickets Online

(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)

NUNSENSE, a musical comedy by Dan Grogan, Gaslight Baker Theatre, Lockhart, August 23 - September 14, 2013

[216 S. Main Street, Lockhart, TX - click for map]

presents

NUNSENSE
A Musical Comedy
Written by Dan Goggin

Directed by Steve Lawson

Aug. 23 - Sept. 14, 2013

With wacky fun, uproarious horseplay, and side-splitting jokes, Nunsense is a madcap revue that satirizes convent life with a hysterical anything-goes sense of fun. Five nuns develop their song-and-dance routines, conduct an audience quiz, and indulge in other hilarious shenanigans. Jokes, songs and dancing nuns add up to one of the silliest musical celebrations ever! This “Sister Act” will convince you once and for all that nuns do have a serious funny bone! 

Click Here to Purchase Tickets Online

(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)

Upcoming: Nunsense by Dan Grogan, Circle Arts Theatre, New Braunfels, February 2 - 26

Found on-line:

presents

Nunsense

a musical by Dan Grogan

February 3 - 26, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.

preview performance February 2

Circle Arts Theatre, Landa Park at 124 Elizabeth Street, New Braunfels (click for map)

Tickets $18 general admission, $16 for seniors, military and students

click to reserve seats and purchase on-line

e-mail: circlearts@att.net Theatre office: (830) 620-4848 Box office: (830) 837-61722

Upcoming: Nunsense, Silver Spur Theatre, Salado, June 3 -

Found on-line:

Nunsense

Presented by Salado Silver Spur Theatre at Salado Silver Spur Theatre

Salado Silver Spur Theatre, 108 Royal Street, Salado, Full map and directions

June 3-June 25, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: Adults-$15 • Kids Under 12-$8 • Seniors & Military-$12
Group rates available. Call for info: 254-947-3456

An hilarious spoof about the misadventures of five nuns trying to manage a fundraiser. Sadly, the rest of the sisterhood died from botulism after eating vichyssoise prepared by Sister Julia, Child of God. Thus, the remaining nuns – ballet-loving Sister Leo, street-wise Sister Robert Anne, befuddled Sister Mary Amnesia, the Mother Superior Sister Regina, and mistress of the novices Sister Mary Hubert – stage a talent show in order to raise the money to bury their dearly departed.

Upcoming: Nunsense, faculty talent showcase at McCallum Fine Arts Academy, December 10

Found on-line:

McCallum Fine Arts Academy presents

NUNSENSE

by Dan Groggin

December 10 only, 7 p.m.

MacTheatre, 5600 Sunshine Dr. (click for map)

Tickets: general admission $12, seniors $10, students $6, available on-line

Five of the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, accidentally killed all but 19 of the convent with her tainted vichyssoise. With no money in the kitty to pay for all the burials, with the deceased nuns on ice in the deep freeze, they decide to stage a variety show in the Mount Saint Helen's School auditorium to raise the necessary amount.

This production will feature some of McCallum's talented and fearless faculty getting in the habit and bringing on the laughs. Faculty stars include Ms. Croom, Ms. Wright, Ms. Newchurch, Ms. Chase, and Ms. McDaniel. Don't miss this ONE NIGHT ONLY PRODUCTION!

Nunsense, Tex-Arts, Lakeway, September 25 - October 11

A third production of Nunsense within 13 months! The Georgetown Palace did it in August of last year; Austin's City Theatre put it on this past June; and now Tex-Arts in Lakeway has just finished a three-week run.

I almost didn't go, but Taylor T. posted comments on "upcoming" item on the ALT blog, not once but twice, and told me that there was something extraordinary going on out there. So I found the time and Tex-Arts kindly found a seat for me.

I'm really glad I got the chance to see Tex-Arts' version of Nunsense.

Of course, the script for this show is sure-fire. It's a 1985 phenomenon that Dan Groggin originated as a line of "funny nun" greeting cards, then crafted as a music-hall surprise success. Groggin's Nunsense website says that it has had more than 5000 productions and has played in 21 languages; Wikipedia reports more than 6,000, in 26 languages. Groggin has continued happily to mine that vein, too -- an 8th new show in the Nunsense series, "Sister Robert Ann's Cabaret Classroom," has just opened in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

Upcoming: Nunsense, Tex-Arts, Lakeway,

Found on-line:

Nunsense

Tex-Arts, Lakway
September 25 - October 11, 2009
Friday and Saturday 7:30 PM
Sundays 2:00 and 7:00 PM

Nunsense is about five of 19 surviving “Little Sisters of Hoboken,” a one-time missionary order that ran a leper colony on an island south of France who discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, accidentally killed the other fifty-two residents of the convent with her tainted vichyssoise while they were off playing bingo with a group of Maryknolls. Upon discovering the disaster, Mother Superior had a vision in which she was told to start a greeting card company to raise funds for the burials. From there, you can imagine just how funny it gets! Nunsense includes solo star turns, madcap dance routines, and an audience quiz. It’s positively “habit forming!”

Tickets at NowPlayingAustin
Info Phone: 512.474.8497

Kam and James Morris Theater
2300 Lohman's Spur Austin, TX 78734

Nunsense, City Theatre, June 11 - July 5

This saucy, sparkling production of a popular favorite plays merrily with its basic premise: even if you're very, very good, you can laugh and dance to the joy of life.

Dan Goggin's idea is so simple that it started out as a line of greeting cards. Their immediate popularity prompted him to put his mischievous nuns on stage. He reworked a warmly received trial run (of 38 weeks!) into a longer piece that opened off Broadway in 1984 and then moved uptown for a ten-year run and 3.672 performances. Nunsense is the second-longest running Broadway musical -- surpassed only by The Fantasticks, also playing currently in Austin. Nunsense has played in 26 languages and 6000 productions worldwide, with a combined cast of about 25,000 women.

The Georgetown Palace did the show last August. That production was perky, fun and well applauded. The City Theatre version now on stage has the same energy and good humor, in the up-close intimacy of a playing space seating only a quarter the size of the Palace. Andy Berkovsky's version borrows virtually nothing from the Palace, other than the most important feature of all: its leading Reverend Mother, Mary Regina, created by Melissa McAtee.

Click to read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

Upcoming: Nunsense, City Theatre, June 11 - July 5

UPDATE: Click for ALT review, June 16



From City Theatre Austin:

NUNS OF FUN!
Madcap Musical
Nunsense
Comes to Austin This Summer
June 11 - July 5

The early summer forecast for City Theatre calls for giggles, guffaws, chortles, and good old fashioned belly laughs…and it’s all thanks to the famed Little Sisters of Hoboken. The City Theatre Company is preparing to get thee to a nunnery with Nunsense, the hit musical comedy celebrating its 25th anniversary and filled with so much sisterly love and good cheer that it has had audiences around the world rolling in the aisles. The nuns strut their stuff June 11 - July 5.

Produced by The City Theatre Company, the musical comedy will be directed by Artistic Director Andy Berkovsky (The Boys Next Door, Alice in Wonderland, Glengarry Glen Ross) with choreography by Jessica Kelpsch.

It will feature the all-star cast of Melita McAtee (Reverend Mother), Michelle Cheney (Sister Mary Amnesia), Jen Coy (Sister Robert Anne), Glenna Bowman (Sister Mary Leo), and Dorothy Mays Clark (Sister Mary Hubert).

Thursday – Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Sunday 5:30 p.m.
*Last Weekend - No show July 3 & 4. July 5 – two shows 2:30 & 5:30. Added show Wed., July 1 8:00 p.m.
General Seating $20, Seniors $18, Guaranteed Reserved Seating $25, Students $15 Thursday all seats $15, Group discounts available.

Website: www.citytheatreaustin.org

The City Theatre
3823 Airport Blvd. – east between Manor Road and 38 ½ St.
Reservations 512-524-2870 or info@citytheatreaustin.org.

Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

Upcoming Auditions: Nunsense, City Theatre, March 16, 17, 21

Posted at City Theatre website:

Auditions:
NUNSENSE – the nuns from Hoboken are back! C

ity Theatre brings the nun-fun to Austin this summer!
What do you get when you combine“Greased Lighting” and the Catholic Church?? NUNSENSE, of course.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, NUNSENSE is the musical romp of the Little Sisters of Hoboken, who discover their cook, Sister Julia Child of God, has accidentally poisoned 52 of their sisters and they are in dire need of funds for their burials. So, on the 8th grade set of Grease, they decide to put on a variety show complete with tap dancing, star turns, vaudeville acts, and show stopping numbers that are sure to get them into heaven and the audience on its feet.

Auditions are: March 16, 17 and 21
Where: The City Theatre 3823 Airport Blvd. Suite D Austin, TX 78722
Time: March 16 and 17, 6:30 – 8:30, March 21, 10 – noon.
*ten minute slots by appointment. Show dates: June 11 – July 5 (no show July 4)
*If you are not able to make this audition time, please let us know.
*Bring headshot, resume, and a 1 min. prepared song. Will have taped accompaniment available.

Cast of characters:

Reverend Mother Regina - a model Mother Superior, even if she is overweight. An outrageous, quick-witted soul and Sophie Tucker-type who tries to be strict, but knows how to get a laugh. Sister Mary Hubert – Mistress of the Novices, dignified, second in command, always competing with Reverend Mother and ready to kick up her heels
Sister Robert Anne – Reverend Mother’s nemesis, street wise with a heart of gold, and aching for the spotlight
Sister Mary Leo – a novice and ballerina wannabe, always eager to display her talent, and easily let astray
Sister Mary Amnesia – picture of innocence, a country singer who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head

Email back at info@citytheatreaustin.org if you need more information.
Check out the Nunsense website at www.nunsense.com

Review by Austin Live Theatre of Nunsense, Georgetown Palace Theatre, August 2008

Nunsense, Georgetown Palace, August 1 - 31

“How do you make holy water?”

“I don’t know, how DO you make holy water?”

“You boil the hell out of it!”

Cornball, right? But funny, especially when the dialogue is between a couple of wisecracking nuns on either side of the audience.

Nunsense, a (very) musical (very goofy) comedy at the Georgetown Palace Theatre in Georgetown, Texas is playing to packed houses of very amused Georgetownians. And Austinites will have a helluva a good time if they join them.

I lived mostly outside the United States over the past 30 years, so when we relocated to Austin last year I had no idea either of Georgetown (Texas) or of the Nunsense phenomenon. I spotted an ad for the Palace’s Lend Me A Tenor, a play our son had done in high school. After studying some maps we took him and a buddy to see it. For a while, I thought we were going to be driving up I-35 all the way to Killeen (wherever that might be). But we found it, and we were impressed both by the play and by the restored movie palace just off courthouse square in Georgetown. Plus the restaurants and shops around the square.

By the way, arriving from Austin on I-35, take exit 259, 260 (Leander Road) or 261, go east for up to half a mile, then turn left (north) on Austin Avenue. The Palace will be on your left, half a block short of the Georgetown courthouse dome.

And be advised: out there near Sun City retirement community, the Palace raises its curtain at 7:30 p.m., getting them in early and home at a reasonable hour.

As for Nunsense, turns out that it debuted in New York City in 1985 and ran 3,672 performances. Translated to date into 26 languages, the show has been produced by 6,000 companies over that time. The original show -- this text -- gave rise to six more nun-themed musical comedies. An idea that originated as a series of funny greeting cards must have earned its creator Dan Goggin a pile of royalties.

Nuns as hoofers? Nuns as jokesters? Nuns as raucous story tellers? This company of five wonderfully cast actresses does it all, backed by keyboardist Kevin Oliver and friends thinly disguised as nuns, themselves (ever seen a nun with a beard?).

Playwright/composer Goggin has recreated vaudeville for us, that art form in which the multi-talented artists are happily complicit with the audience.

The over-the-top premise: a mistake by the cook for the Little Sisters of Hoboken (NJ) resulted in a poisoned vichyssoise that did away with 52 of the sisters, leaving only five, tonight’s crew of habit-wearing hoofers. The cook, by the way, had as her convent name Julia, Child of God (nudge, nudge – Julia Child, get it?).

So our doughty nuns are putting on a show to raise enough funds to plant the last of their sisters and to finance a big-screen TV.

You’d have to be very stuffy indeed not to be charmed by this extremely well chosen cast of performers (clockwise, from top left):

Cathie Sheridan as Sister Mary Hubert, gently scandalized by the goings-on but having the time of her life;

Melita McAtee as Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina, as friendly and brassy as you can be when dressed in black and white -- with a hilarious slapstick turn after curiosity prompts her to sniff (and sniff again) some curious powder found in the ladies’ room;

Samantha Ricker Watson as Sister Mary Amnesia, of simple mind and baby voice, who goes from giggles to a rip-roaring Loretta Lynn delivery when needed;

Sara Burke as Sister Mary Leo the aspiring ballerina, quivering with sweet ambition (in the Palace’s production of Cats last year she and her partner tore up the stage when she danced as Rumpleteazer); and

Arden Baxter as Sister Robert Anne, pugnacious funny Bronx girl longing to be a star, who does a side-splitting set of imitations simply by manipulating her wimple.

Imagine the sight of these sober-clad ladies grinning, wearing bright-colored tap shoes and stomping up a storm, and you’ll get an idea of the absurdly wonderful entertainment they provide.

The Georgetown Palace specializes in musicals and popular entertainment, and they shovel out this high quality stuff at a tremendous rate. For 2008-2009 they’ll be offering another 8 shows: The Producers; The Gifts of the Magi; Love, Sex and the IRS; God’s Man in Texas; Grease; The Little Shop of Horrors; The Odd Couple, and Big River.

Shows run from three to six weekends, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

The Palace is a serious rival to the Zach Scott Theatre in Austin in quality and variety, without Zach’s advantages or location.

Unlike the Zach, it is a real “community theatre,” depending on contributions of many volunteers, business support, and non-equity artists. They apparently don’t place commercial ads in either the Austin Statesman or the Austin Chronicle. Their glossy program carries no fewer than 54 ads from local businesses, 12 of these full-page.

Management of the ticketing function has progressed so much that next season, at no extra charge, you will be able to use an on-line seating chart to claim a specific seat when you purchase tickets by Internet. (I wish that they’d complete the website by loading it with the promised photo albums of recent productions.)

The Palace is a non-profit 503(c)(3) corporation, always eager to receive contributions. With grant funds and donated labor the group renovated the theatre in 1999-2001 and in 2007 acquired the “Tin Barn,” adjacent to it, to serve when fully renovated as shops, rehearsal spaces and dressing rooms. This year the City of Georgetown officially renamed the space between the two “Tin Barn Alley.”

And I didn't mention -- for what you get, the tickets are really, really inexpensive! Twenty bucks a seat general admission season ticket, but only eighteen for those over 55 years of age. Those are the per-ticket prices for this year’s Nunsense, and a student can get in for only $8. For a $5 premium this year you can pick your designated seat.

"So why did Moses wander around in the Sinai Desert for 40 years?"

"I don’t know, why DID Moses wander around in the Sinai Desert for 40 years?"

"It’s obvious! He was a man, and men don’t like to ask for directions! "

Click for an on-line review, August 10, from Ronni's Rants