Review: 'Nunsense' at Playhouse on Park

Dedicated to Sister Mary Josephine and the dedicated nuns with whom she served

West Hartford, CT - Playhouse on Park has opened their 11th season with a cheery production of NUNSENSE, the original of the series of musical comedies with book, music and lyrics by Dan Goggin. The musical runs through Oct. 13 on the three-sided stage at the theater on the always busy Park Road in West Haven.

Choosing NUNSENSE for the first show of the season was an easy decision because I was ready to laugh. The musical has a ridiculous premise and yet it feels so real. These five sisters are on a mission to raise money and they’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen. Perhaps another reason we chose this show - Art Imitating Life!...You don’t have to be Catholic to enjoy the show; you just have to be a fan of FUN!” - Director Darlene Zoller

I came to the show believing that I had seen the original NUNSENSE, because I recognized the crazy premise of the need for the nuns to raise funds for the convent. Turns out that I was completely wrong, and that I clearly must have only attended productions of subsequent variations of the juggernaut NUNSENSE series. I did appreciate seeing the musical that started it all.

My mistake was confirmed when I began to see and hear the five women in the cast and the pit musicians perform the various musical numbers in the two acts. I recognized one of them, namely “Nunsense is Habit-Forming” in the first act, but otherwise there were plenty of fun numbers to enjoy upon first hearing. I also remembered to make the sign of the cross along with the sisters whenever the full name of “Sister Julia Child of God” was mentioned.

The talented members of the cast took turns with the leads for some of the musical numbers, mixing in solos and duets and everything came out nicely. Sr. Amnesia was able to shine when she actually recovered some memories during “I Could Have Gone to Nashville,” Sr. Anne sold it in “I Just Want To Be A Star,” and Sr. Hubert brought it home on “Holier Than Thou.” Although “Growing Up Catholic” opens the first act, one does not have to Catholic to enjoy the humor, the music and the dancing, although the large number of (self-reported) Catholics in the audience probably appreciated some of the jokes just a little bit more.

The Playhouse production is well-directed and charmingly choreographed by Darlene Zoller, with heavenly music direction by “Sister Melanie” Guerin seated at the keyboard in a modern habit.

Sister Mary Regina, the Reverend Mother who is “number one” in the convent, is played to the hilt by Amanda Forker. Ms. Forker is from Wethersfield, earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from WCSU and has appeared in many Playhouse on Park Productions that I wish I had seen. She gave a masterful performance as the nun in charge and had the audience in stitches toward the end of act one for a “high” number for which she was definitely required to perform significant penance during intermission. Kudos to this WCSU graduate on a most memorable performance.

The Mistress of Novices, Sister Mary Hubert, is brought to wonderful life by Equity member Brandi Porter (A BRONX TALE on Broadway.) She brought plenty of sass as the second in command of the convent and kept the audience smiling.

Equity actress Hillary Ekwall is elated to be back in her hometown at Playhouse on Park where she has been involved in over 20 productions. She consistently nailed the blank look of Sister Mary Amnesia in the role that was famously played by Seven Angels Theatre Artistic Director Semina DeLaurentis. Ms. Ekwall made use of her lilting soprano singing voice and was simply adorable as the ditzy nun; she also displayed her puppetry skills when needed.

Lily Dickinson (national tour of MAMMA MIA!) took on the big role of Sister Robert Anne in her Playhouse on Park debut and brought a Kathy Najimi quality to this nun who grew up in a tough neighborhood. Ms. Dickinson made me smile whenever she was on the stage.

It was such a treat to see Rachel Oremland on this stage in the role of Sister Mary Leo, the novice who dreams of being the world's first ballerina nun. Ms. Oremland, who played Sally Simpson in the magnificent THE WHO’S TOMMY at Seven Angels in Waterbury, danced beautifully (even without a tutu) and made the most of the role.

The band is composed of Ms. Guerin (MD for the marvelous PETER AND THE STARCATCHER and a two-time graduate of The Hartt School) on keyboard while she conducted, Elliot Wallace dressed as a priest on drums, with Mallory Kokus on reeds and Phoebe Suzuki on violin dressed in Catholic school uniforms. The musicians certainly earned an A+ from this critic/former Catholic school teacher.

So apparently in the script, the Mother Superior apologizes for their set constraints by mentioning that the middle school set for GREASE is still up. However, I am quite sure that at Playhouse on Park, the flashy set is explained as being the remnants of MAMA D’s OUTRAGEOUS ROMP. I am sure it is no coincidence that the director Ms. Zoller IS Mama D of this particular show, a grownups only music, dance and comedy event exclusive to the Playhouse.

The set was designed by Johann Fitzpatrick and the Mt. Saint Helen’s school auditorium fits the space perfectly with the small band seated on stage right, and lighting designer Shane Cassidy cast the nuns in the best light. Costume designer Lisa Ann Steier of West Hartford got the habits right and still allowed the actresses to execute the charming choreography. Eileen O’Connor assembled the ever-changing props and also dressed the set. The pre-show announcement is done with an Irish accent and warns that taking photos of the show is a sin.

NUNSENSE runs two hours with one 15 minute intermission. Be forewarned that there is some audience participation, so be on your best behavior...or not. Playhouse on Park is running a food drive and there are convenient envelopes in the program for donations. Don’t miss the magnificently detailed set dressing of the lobby and the ushers outfitted for Catholic School.

We haven't heard this much laughter come from the theatre in a very long time! We have seats this weekend: 2pm & 8pm Saturday; 2pm Sunday (good weekend for Lunch Time Special tickets). Once word gets out about how funny this show is - we WILL be selling out. Call 860-523-5900 x 10 or visit www.PlayhouseOnPark.org to learn more. #NunsenseOnPark #PoP11

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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