Nunsense on stage at Cultural Park Theater

By Michael Moran
Billed as a wacky musical, Nunsense comes to the Cultural Park Theater Company stage on Jan. 10 and runs through Jan. 19.
This musical comedy with music and lyrics by Dan Goggin captures, with all due respect, the essence of nun humor. The musical originally opened in December 1985, becoming the second-longest-running off-Broadway show in history.
CPTC director Tony Saracino brings out the best of talent in the cast of five sisters of the Little Sisters of Hoboken. He is assisted by music director Cassy Huff, choreographer Bridey Kearns, wardrobe Laurie Strum and set designers Michael Moran and Deanna Enslin.
This musical has an ad lib feel to it that is a lot of fun. A lot of the action takes place out in the audience when the nuns come out and interact with people. They have a little quiz thing that they do. They talk to the audience and interact with them.
Nunsense opens on five sisters holding a talent show at the Mount Saint Helen’s school to raise funds and put deceased nuns to rest. Five of the 19 Little Sisters of Hoboken, a one-time missionary order, discover that due to a cooking accident, most of the convent sisters have died of botulism. The remaining sisters were off playing bingo.
Before all the deceased could be buried, Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina (Cassy Huff) bought electronic equipment, leaving no money to bury the last four sisters who lie waiting in the convent freezer.
What follows are hilarious planned and unexpected acts performed by the remaining nuns: Sister Hubert (Margie Bowman), Sister Robert Anne (Cassie Sampson), Sister Mary Amnesia (Aimie Naughton) and Sister Mary Leo (Katie Freeman). All of the sisters have secret aspirations to be on stage.
The nuns have more problems when they learn the Jersey Board of Health has sent an inspector to the convent that afternoon. They receive a summons that they have to clean out the freezer. Only time will tell if the sisters solve all of their problems.
This two-act comedy has an abundance of appealing songs such as “So You Want to be a Star,” “Turn Up the Spotlight,” “Holier Than Thou” and “So You Want to be a Nun.”
Single show tickets are $22 for adults, $19 for seniors and $16 for youth.
Next up is Lou Villano who performs the hits of Paul Anka in a tribute show Jan. 24, 25 and 26.
Lou Villano grew up in Brooklyn singing the songs of some of the most popular singers from the ‘50s & ‘60s – Paul Anka was one of his favorites. While Lou was arranging his shows he remembered how many of his audiences would comment that his resemblance and vocal styling is very similar to Paul Anka. They asked “Why don’t you do more songs by Paul Anka?” That’s when Lou acted upon their advice. Lou becomes Paul Anka performing his hits – “Diana,” “Lonely Boy,” “The Longest Day,” “My Hometown,” “Puppy Love,” “Destiny” and so much more. Within the show are songs Paul Anka wrote for singers like Buddy Holly, Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones plus hit songs from some of his fellow songwriters and friends Frankie Avalon & Bobby Rydell. Lou is receiving rave reviews and standing ovations from his audiences performing this show. It’s a show that you are going to remember as you walk out singing the songs that you loved so much by such a talented songwriter and singer. All tickets are $21. Performances will be Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Cultural Park is located at 528 Cultural Park Blvd. in Cape Coral. For information and ticket orders, call 239-772-5862 or go to www.culturalparktheater.com.
Michael Moran is executive director of Cultural Park Theater