Theatrical Review: Nunsense

NUNSENSE
Book, Music, and Lyrics by: Dan Goggin
Directed by: Kim Moore
Theatrical Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The Shawnee Playhouse* in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA presented their production of “Nunsense” by Dan Goggin. The play presents to its audience a problem several Nuns from a Convent in Hoboken, NY have found themselves in and seeks to remedy their situation by raising funds. What happened was, a member of their order wasn’t a very good cook and poisoned most of the sisters. The funds raised will help go toward burying the nuns they’re keeping in their convent’s freezer because they ran out of money provide a funeral for them.

This leads to a hilarious evening filled with song and dance as the nuns endeavor to entertain us while dealing with one another in plain sight of its audience. In reality, the audience may not see all the behind the scenes workings taking place in convent life, but the play wouldn’t be nearly as funny. We also wouldn’t be able to look at the deeper issues encompassing the individual nuns or the faith they represent without seeing them through our laughing eyes.

“Nunsense” by Dan Goggin is delight to watch. The only test for a any production claiming to be a comedy and its right to be considered one is by answering the simple question, “Did the audience have an honest laugh?” In other words, did people laugh when they’re suppose to? The excellent ensemble cast inspired their audience to laugh and they consisted of Katie Simon who portrayed Sister Mary Regina the mother superior of the order who does her best to maintain control over the sisters in her charge, Mychal Phillips who portrayed Sister Mary Hubert who serves the order as Mistress of Novices who trains new recruits, Kristen Gehling as Sister Mary Robert Anne whose experiences in the outside world prior to becoming a nun helps the order to remain part of the world around them, Evie Korovesis* who portrayed Sister Mary Amnesia who has lost her memory but learns who she is is more meaningful than who she was, and Ashley Summer who portrayed Sister Mary Leo the nun who left the world of professional dance to share her gift freely with others.

“Nunsense” by Dan Goggin was Directed by Kim Moore and Stage Managed by Rob Delcolle. The Musical Director was Keith Labar while the Choreographer was Christine O’ Brian-Mase. The Technical Director and The Lighting Designer was Jessica Sentack. The Assistant Technical Director was Tucker Haworth while the Set Designer was Sean Warner while the spotlight operator was Ashley Nieves. The production’s costumer was Edwina Voytko with props handled by Brian Krinsky and Jenavene Hester. The Executive Director of The Shawnee Playhouse* is Midge McClosky* while the producers are Ginny and Charlie Kirkwood. Group Sales of their productions are handled by Mary Horn while The Shawnee Playhouse publicity is handled by Amy Cramer*. The Box office staff includes Kasey Mesko, Lillian Gonzales, and Barbara Ross.

This production of “Nunsense” by Dan Goggin will continue its run at The Shawnee Playhouse* in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA until August 31st and is recommended for those who would like to experience an enjoyable night at the theatre bathed in a great deal of laughter. The next Shawnee Playhouse* in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA production will be Neil Simon’s “The Star Spangled Girl” to be performed August 8th - 31st while their productions of “The Dining Room” continues to be performed until August 3rd, “Fame: The Musical” continues to be performed until August 9th, and their Children Theatre production of “Peter Pan” continues to be performed until August 23rd Those who enjoy the Passionate Art Lover level of membership in The Forwardian Arts Society are offered a $2.00 discount off the admission fee of The Shawnee Playhouse* Productions (excluding Children Theatrical Production). Please contact The Shawnee Playhouse* at 570-421-5093 for more information and to reserve your ticket.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.