Dysfunctional Nuns Make Show Happen

What do four dead nuns in a freezer, a “Tin” of Commandments, and dancing and singing have in common? New London Theatre’s production of “Nunsense,” of course!

Snellville’s inventive theatre does it again with the new show playing now through the Feb. 27. The cast of characters include six nuns who are like members of a dysfunctional family that only works when something is wrong.

The show “Nunsense” itself centers around another “show,” meant to be a fundraiser that the Little Sisters of Hoboken have sketchily planned at best. It seems that the convent cook, Sister Julia, played by Sandi Schein of Decatur, poisoned the nuns that were present one evening with her vichyssoise that felled 52 nuns, of which only 48 were buried.

The convent ran out of money because after burying the four dozen women of the cloth, the Rev. Mother Mary Regina, played by Elinor Hasty of Winder,  bought a plasma television, so there were four left to bury. So that they wouldn’t interfere with the order at the convent, the surviving nuns placed their sisters in the freezer.

As the show progresses, we get insight into the dysfunction of this holy family, with each sister getting her time on stage, to talk and sing and dance about her spot on the team and how she feels about it.

Mother Superior Mary Regina craves the spotlight and is in constant competition for “who’s in charge” with second-in-command, Sister Mary Hubert, played by Lisa Gordon of Lawrenceville. They continue to battle for every last second of attention and power from the minute the play starts, bickering like real sisters.

Sister Mary Amnesia, played by Nancy Powell of Snellville, who’s lost her memory because a crucifix falling on her head, holds a quiz with the audience, asking questions that have to do with the opening number.

Powell said that she loves playing the part. “It’s so much fun,” she said. “Because she’s sort of dim-witted, I get by with saying what I want.”

She also says that working with Scott Rousseau, the artistic director at New London, and the “Nunsense” director was a great experience. “He is a genius,” Powell said.

And, by all accounts, he very well may be. Rousseau said that this team of actors was dedicated to making the show work. They all brought something to the table, making work for the show not only pleasant, but productive, he added.

“This cast was incredibly hardworking,” Rousseau said. “Even with the delays of the snow storm, they made sure they were ready to open on time.”

Sister Robert Anne, played by Jennifer Smith of Lawrenceville, comes from Brooklyn and is streetwise, which Reverend Mother assumed meant that she knew the area and could drive. Her tough New York accent wouldn’t lead you to believe she has a beautiful singing voice, but she does. Sister Mary Leo, played by Amanda Hunter of Atlanta, aspires to be a ballerina and takes every opportunity to dance, even while praying.

A priest and a monk play in the two-piece band that accompanies the singing and dancing. Like a Broadway show, the themed music keeps the show moving and grooving. The singing and dancing is done flawlessly, and with expert timing that rivals shows with much bigger budgets and names.

All in good fun, the show takes shots at the Catholic faith with a wink and a nudge, and even if you aren’t of the faith, you’ll find yourself laughing at the human condition.