By Willow Becker
The Draper Historic Theatre is alive with laughter, music, and the punniest jokes you can imagine during its run of Nunsense, presented by the Salt State Theatre Company. The musical, written and composed by Dan Goggin, is an interactive crowd-pleaser since its initial performances as a cabaret-turned-musical in 1985, is a solid stand-by that offers lots of laughs and some talented performances by the members of SCP (who also moonlight as the production team).
The premise is this: The Little Sisters of Hoboken greet the audience even as they come through the front doors of the Draper Historic Theatre, an instant signpost that what you’re about to see is interactive theater at its finest. Once the performance begins, we learn that the Little Sisters have had one terrible misfortune after another (including a failed convent and a leper colony mission that leads to an armful of missing nun limbs). The final straw, however, is Sister Julia Child (of God) making a batch of botulism-laden soup that kills all but 19 of them.
Unable to pay to bury all of the dead nuns, the remaining sisters hold auditions and present the winners to the audience in form of a charity performance. Each of the sisters has a story, and the audience is pulled along as each of them undergo a transformation full of props, wisecracks, and even an audience quiz with real-life prizes.
The show sports some exceptional performances. Sister Amnesia (played by Director Liz Edmiston) is a spot-on Sister Amnesia, with bright, strident vocals and all the energy and physicality necessary to bring in the best and biggest laughs. In addition, her improv with the crowd and fellow novice Sister Leo (played by Stage Manager Jeff Bigelow) is hilarious and never out of character.
Another standout performance is from Heather McComber as Sister Hubert, whose full voice and big acting choices bring depth to an often-overlooked character. This is most apparent in the final number, “Holier Than Thou,” where her brassy vocal runs and gospel-influenced growl leave the audience wanting more.
Finally, in some of the most brilliant cross-gender casting in recollection, Brett Davis manages to be feminine, honest, and endearing as Mother Superior. Especially notable is the group dynamic between McComber, Edmiston, and Davis as they peruse the deadly cookbook which includes dishes such as “Leg of Lamb of God,” and “How to Make Holy Water.” The physical bit when Edmiston produces the handmade cookbook stand she’s made (about 100 yards of tape and a handful of rulers) is a tribute to her physical comedy, the timing of her co-stars, and the sense of humor of set designer Jac Madsen.
Madsen also has an onstage role as Sister Robert Anne, a hard-talking reformed criminal from The Bronx who not only drives the convent station wagon, but “can strip it down faster than any chop-shop in town.”
The beauty of Nunsense is its simplicity, especially as it relates to costumes, set, and props. Still, the production team manages to make an engaging visual area (with just a few subtle hints about upcoming productions in the props scattered around the stage) that lets the audience focus on the talented cast. The sheer volume of props and costume pieces used during the first act finale is so impressive, that it gets laughs just for how ingenious the direction and prop design is.
This is a wonderful show that is highly recommended for audiences down to elementary school. While there are some references to drug use (Mother Superior accidently imbibes a confiscated package from some ill-meaning students), it is relatively tame, even for younger theater-goers.
The Salt State Theatre Company’s rendition of Nunsense is definitely worth the money. And, in case you are ever in need of some Christian-centered puns, interactive comedy, or jokes about the Bible, this cast may Noah guy.
Salt State Theatre Company presents Nunsense by Dan Goggin. Book, music, and lyrics by Dan Goggin.
Draper Historic Theatre, 12366 900 E, Draper, UT 84020
February 1-February 11, 2019, 7:00 PM; February 9, 2019, 2:00 PM
Tickets: $8-$12
Contact: 801-572-4144
Draper Historic Theatre Facebook Page
Salt State Theatre Company Nunsense Facebook Event
0 Comments