Porthouse Theatre’s ‘Nunsense’ is an outrageously funny look at the cloistered life

You do not need to be Catholic to appreciate the humor of Porthouse Theatre’s production of “Nunsense” on stage through July 13, 2024 but it helps. For those of us who suffered through the corporal years of “catholic education” (an oxymoron if there ever was one) this show will bring back a flood of memories...good and bad...but mostly good.

The show is a 1985 musical comedy by Dan Goggin who wrote the book, music and lyrics after being inspired by a line of greeting cards that featured nuns offering funny quips of a clerical type (or what really happens after school in the teacher’s lounge).

Goggin took this idea and expanded it into a cabaret show that after a 38 week run was transformed into a full-length musical for Off-Broadway. It opened on December 12, 1985 running for 3,672 performances becoming the second longest running Off-Broadway show in history (“The Fantasticks” is number one). It soon became an international phenomenon being translated into at least 26 languages with more than 80,000 performances worldwide grossing over $500 million. In told, over 25,000 women have played the roles in “Nunsense” productions including some of Broadway’s and Hollywood’s leading actresses. The show has gone on to include two television productions, six sequels and two spin-offs.

Five nuns from the Little Sisters of Hoboken return from a night of bingo with a group of Maryknolls (who are suspected of cheating) only to find fifty-two members at their convent dead from food poisoning. It seems that their head cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, accidentally poisoned them with tainted vichyssoise. Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina (Sandra Ross) quickly takes matters into hand with the surviving 19 by starting a highly successful greeting card company. Soon there is money enough to inter all but four of the deceased nuns.

With matters seemingly in hand, Reverend Mother purchases a plasma television for the convent only to learn that her errant purchase has emptied the coffers for the last four burials. To overcome the shortfall the talented survivors stage a variety show in the Mount Saint Helen’s School auditorium (where the school is in the process of staging their production of “Grease”) to raise the needed funds. Hilarity ensues as past lives peak out from the nun’s current prim and proper demeanor.

Right off the bat there is conflict. Sister Mary Regina is a former circus performer who still loves the spotlight. Her competition is second in command Sister Mary Hubert, Mistress of Novices (Colleen Longshaw) who longs for her solo. They are joined by Sister Mary Leo (Becca Bailey), a novice who dreams of being the first ballerina nun, Sister Mary Amnesia (Lara Troyer) who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head, and Sister Robert Anne (Theresa Hall) a sassy street-wise nun from Brooklyn. Together, they put on a show of mad-cap comedy skits, dances, songs, monologues and even an audience participation quiz.

This show is a wonderful example of farcical comedy as the nuns kick the habit and their true former occupations and natures show through. It is a non-stop laugh riot throughout that the sold out audience thoroughly enjoyed. The cast is exceptional delving into stage craft that includes ballet, moving mouth ventriloquism, Broadway style dance, comedy and lots of Catholic themed double entendre. The comic timing is top notch, the singing over the top and the dance routines lively and fun.

Musical director Jonathan Swoboda (dressed as a priest) joins his priestly attired onstage band of Craig Wohlschlager (Reeds), Don T. Day (Bass) and Mell Csicsilla (Drums/Percussion) for rousing renditions of the 22 different songs. Joe Burke handles the lighting design that perfectly matches the various moods of the production. While for the most part the sound design of Jeff Polunas seemed adequate, there seemed to be a problem with the ceiling speakers in the far left upper section of the pavilion. The costumes by Victoria Mearini were perfectly matched and appropriate. Lastly, the stage design by Gennie Neuman Lambert while sparse was enough to convey a school gym/assembly hall. Note also that this is outdoor theater and the weather can be a big factor concerning your comfort factor. Our evening was misting and cool while some performances have been excessively hot. Prepare ahead of time to ensure your comfort and bring lots of water.

This is silly theater just for the fun of it. It is a hilarious behind the habit look of what to many is a mysterious way of life as the nuns let their hair down (metaphorically speaking) and cut loose. All denominations welcome but tickets are going fast!

The Porthouse production of “Nunsense” will be on stage on the grounds of Blossom Music Center through July 13, 2024. For tickets and information go to www.porthousetheatre.com or call (330) 672-3884. Porthouse’s final show of the season will be “Annie” that will be on stage from July 19th through August 4th, 2024.