“Nunsense II: The Second Coming” is a Big Hit with Jewel Box Audience!
In 1985 Dan Goggin came up with a cute greeting card featuring a nun. Everyone loved the line of cards and soon Goggin developed the idea of a musical comedy featuring cute nuns and called “Nunsense”. Since that time there have been several spin-offs, six sequels and a couple of television shows. The original production from 1985, “Nunsense” became the second longest running Off-Broadway show in history, second only to “The Fantastics”
“Nunsense II: The Second Coming” and the second sequel came along in 1992 taking place six weeks following “Nunsense” and continuing the story. From “Nunsense” The tale of many convent members who die as a result of food poisoning and how the surviving sisters must raise the money to get the last four nuns buried is poignant as well as amusing. In “Nunsense II: The Second Coming” the story moves forward as the sisters square off against the Franciscan order to retain one of their own. Sister Mary Paul is also known as Sister Amnesia and the winner of the Publishers Clearinghouse Prize. The Franciscan’s are trying to claim the forgetful sister so that they may also claim the prize money. Once again the sisters must raise funds through a variety show in order to defeat the devious Franciscan plot.
The magic of irresolute, irreverent and irrepressible nuns cavorting about the stage strikes a chord with the public, and for the past 30 years “Nunsense” and sequels have delighted audiences. “Nunsense II: The Second Coming” has all the magic and the spirited performances by actresses that are clearly a great deal of fun for each performer. This communicates to the audience powerfully, and because the show is unavoidably interactive, audiences never fail to adore these daring darling nuns. It is certainly true that “Nunsense II: The Second Coming” is not an example of great theatre, but it is also true that great fun results from the performance and the essence of theatre is great entertainment.
Director Shawna Linck has assembled a very talented cast for “Nunsense II: The Second Coming” and each actress is experienced in musical theatre. Linck also choreographs and by combining chorography and directing she creates a very seamless performance in movement. Chad Haney directs musically and he brings forth the humor as well as the music. Together, this team unites the actresses into a coordinated group of musical humorists. Paula Parkhurst is a most interesting Mother Superior and she brings the slightly unrealistic and somewhat wacky Sister Mary Regina to life as the Mother Superior who is a superlative mama! Janitta Swain is delightful as Sister Mary Hubert, the Mistress of Novices no novice should listen to, but every novice should enjoy. Joan Raney is Sister Robert Anne, also known as Sister Bob, the feisty gal with a need to be herself, as well as God’s bride. Catherine Etter is graceful and elegant with no trace of graciousness as the Sister Prima Ballerina in training, Sister Mary Leo. Tess Brenner is adorable as Sister Mary Paul, also known as Amnesia. Brenner nearly steals the show with her infectious enthusiasm. As an ensemble these five actresses bring fun and far-fetched fevers to the stage in a way that any Oklahoma audience is sure to appreciate.
“Nunsense II: The Second Coming” plays through February 11, 2018 at the Jewel Box Theatre located at 3700 N. Walker Avenue in Oklahoma City. Curtain is 8:00 pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a 2:30 Sunday Matinee. Visit www.jewelboxtheatre.org for information or simply call the box office, Tuesday through Saturday afternoons at 405-521-1786 for tickets and information.