Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre presents Nunsense, Dan Goggin’s popular and wacky musical comedy, directed by Hans Bachman. Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre itself is an intriguing establishment, with a rustic atmosphere that contains lots of character and unique pieces of art. Before the production, the cheerful staff (made up by cast and crew members) bring drinks as you enjoy a buffet-style dinner, containing an impressive variety of tasty food.
Back Row L to R: Kristen Jepperson (Sister Mary Amnesia), Betty Ann Maher (Sister Mary Regina), and Diane Pollock (Sister Mary Hubert). Front Row L to R: Julie Sowers (Sister Robert Anne) and Kyna Hollis (Sister Mary Leo). Photo courtesy of Lazy Susan Theatre.
The set, constructed by Eric Redmond and Philip Viar, resembles a middle-school theater stage, complete with the Grease logo splashed across the wall, which, the Sisters explain, is the work of the schoolchildren that they did not want to upset. Mismatched props such as a jukebox, loveseat, bar stools, and an exercise bike complete the set. Jeanne Forbes playfully designs the lighting with colorful spotlights that follow the characters. At times, the spotlights jump around the stage and have to be called back by the characters, who teasingly inform the audience that the light tech is also the school’s archery teacher. Jesse Forbes and Gregory Lee round out the mood as effective sound technicians. Seamstress Mildred Fritzinger is successful in dressing the women with proper nunnery attire.
The performance begins with the Sisters coming out into the audience and genially chatting with everyone. They then spot a scantily clad Marilyn Monroe cutout on the stage and rush to tack some proper clothes onto it, yelling, “There are children in the audience!” They are here to entertain us with the hopes of raising money, as most of the order of the Little Sisters of Triangle died of food poisoning, and some still need to be buried. Sister Mary Regina, skillfully played by Tricia Jarrell, unwisely spent the rest of their money on a Blu-Ray player, resulting with four remaining deceased sisters awaiting burial in the freezer while they collect funds.
The Sisters take us through a number of song and dance routines, telling us that they’d like to ‘prove that nuns are fun…perhaps a but risqué.’ Sister Mary Leo, performed by understudy Kim Pyle, dances a ballet number while stating, “You could’ve seen more, but Reverend Mother wouldn’t le me wear a tutu.” Sister Mary Amnesia, wonderfully played by understudy Katherine Lipovsky, is a clear crowd favorite. Not remembering who she truly is after being hit on the head with a crucifix, she meanders around the audience, telling jokes with an animated and sweet energy. The levelheaded Sister Mary Hubert, played by Diane Pollock, and ambitious Sister Robert Anne, played by Julie Sowers, are also very funny and add to the zaniness.
Their routines, however, are continually ‘plagued’ by technical difficulties, interruptions, and quibbling over certain acts and stage time among them. They tackle these obstacles with humor and prove to be very entertaining. I really wish that the Sisters were wearing microphones. At times, it was very difficult – and sometimes downright impossible – to hear and clearly understand as their voices were drowned out by the accompanying music.
Lively and outrageous, Nunsense proved to yield a night of good entertainment. Have some silly fun and treat yourself to a night at Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre for a performance of Nunsense!
Running time is approximately 120 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
Nunsense plays through September 25th at Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre – 10712 Richmond Hwy, in Lorton VA. Make your reservations by calling (703) 550-7384. Here is the remainder of the 2011 season schedule.
