Review: 'Fun with Valley 'Nuns'

Posted: September 11, 2007 - 5:18 pm
By Shane Mitchell
Anchorage Daily News

As I took the forty minute drive to the Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla, over rain soaked roads, to see the Valley Performing Arts production of “Nunsense” on Saturday night one question kept going through my mind, “Is this going to be worth it?” The answer? You bet!

The play, written in the mid 80’s by Dan Goggin, is exactly the show the title promises, a silly music and gag filled romp with only gentle fun being poked at the reverend ladies in black and white. The show opens with the Little Sisters of Hoboken discovering that their cook, Sister Julia Child of God, has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters, and they need money for the burials before the New Jersey Department of Health discovers the bodies in their freezer. The sisters decide that the best way to raise the money is to put on a variety show, so they take over the Mt. Saint Helens school auditorium, which is currently set up for the eighth grade production of “Grease.” Here we meet Reverend Mother Regina, a former circus performer; Sister Mary Hubert, the upwardly mobile Mistress of Novices; a wise cracking nun from Brooklyn named Sister Robert Anne; Sister Mary Leo, a novice who is a wannabe ballerina; and the wide eyed and befuddled Sister Mary Amnesia, the nun who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head.

Does the show have its problems? Of course. Are there occasional missed notes? Sure. Does it sometimes feel like the cast is trying a bit too hard? You bet. But the script is so wonderfully whacky, the songs so catchy, the performances so unselfconscious, that the packed house on Saturday was willing to forgive the cast any of its minor flaws. From it’s tongue in cheek beginning with “Nonsense is Habit Forming” to it’s rollicking bring down the house finale of “Holier than Thou” the audience was tapping their toes and laughing out loud at this only slightly irreverent cabaret.

In an ensemble this tight it’s tough to single anyone out. Jennifer Rausa, as sister Mary Leo, struggles a bit more than the others, but has such fresh faced charm that her mishaps are quickly forgotten. Tammy McCallion plays Sister Robert Ann with just the right amount of earthy bite and delivers her Brooklyn dialect to perfection. Patty Taylor is a delight as Reverend Mother Sister Mary Regina, with a strong Irish brogue that hints her no nonsense exterior hides a bit of mischief. Robyn Harris, as Sister Hubert owns the audience every time she breaks into song. And, finally, Sarah Hendricks as sister Mary Amnesia was the audience favorite with both her guileless innocence and strong operatic vocal stylings.

The production crew also deserves a healthy dose of the applause. Director, John Harris, keeps the audience interactive performance flowing beautifully, and ads fun filed touches such as a band and crew decked out as priests and nuns including a saucy and very un-nun like pair of heels. Miranda Harris provides fun and fluid choreography. Sherri Hamming’s set is just right for a school production of “Grease” (You only wish your eighth grade had this budget). Mary Mueller’s costumes seem to come right out of the convent, that is if the convent has Carmen Miranda fruit filled headpieces. And Steve Cuthbert’s lighting is straightforward and functional. A huge grin and nod also goes to Musical Director Janet Stotts and the three piece Mount St Helen’s band.

“Nunsense” continues through October 7th. Tickets are $18-$20 and are available by calling 
(907) 373-0195. Based on Saturday’s standing room only crowd I advise you to get tickets well in advance.