[NEohioPAL] "Nunsense" at Hudson Players Reviewed by Cleveland Jewish news

[Durbin, Mark H.]

Cleveland Jewish News       February 4, 2018
Hudson Players' 'Nunsense' is heavenly

  *   Gwendolyn Kochur | community theater critic
There are four dead nuns in the Mount Saint Helens' freezer.
Unlike their frozen sisters, the five nuns on stage in Hudson Players' hilarious "Nunsense" are just as lively as ever, crafting a fun and truly nonsensical show that lives up to its title.
Written by Dan Goggin, the show won four 1985 Outer Critic Circle Awards including one for best Off-Broadway musical. The congregation has now taken up residence at the Hudson Players.
After their cook, Sister Julia, accidentally poisoned 52 of her fellow sisters, the remaining nuns host a variety show to raise money for their burials.
If the plot sounds ridiculous, that's because it is - and wonderfully so. Director and choreographer Chanda Porter makes sure the show is never taken too seriously, allowing the actresses to playfully interact with the audience before the show and have as much fun as the audience during it.
The nuns are holding their variety show in a school auditorium, where they have promised not to disturb the eighth graders' current production of "Grease." Scenic designer Wesley Sigler provides a pink bed set on one end of the stage and a 50's era dining counter on the other, resulting in a very funny visual effect. Lighting designer Gary Maher creates a Vegas-like ambiance by illuminating the floor of the stage with a vibrant blue light and splashing a variety of colors against a plain backdrop.
While the staging is rather simple - as it should be; we're talking nuns here - Porter makes up for it by filling the stage with large personalities and entertaining choreography.
Throughout the 20 songs of the show, the dancing is fresh and buoyant. Watching the nuns bustle about to execute chorus lines and tap dances is terribly amusing. Even more impressive than the ambitious choreography are the voices and acting talent of the sisters.
Sharon Lloyd as Mother Superior is just what one would expect from the head nun: strict and commanding. But when the Mother Superior allows herself to live out her secret desire to be on stage, Lloyd follows it up with an incredible singing voice.
Superior's second-in-command is Sister Mary Hubert, played by Shelly Palumbo, whose voice is both rich and powerful, especially in her final song "Holier Than Thou." On the sweeter side is Macey Staninger as Sister Mary Leo, who is an aspiring ballerina. Though her voice is less commanding than the others on stage, it fits well with her character's gentle personality and status as a novice nun.
The tough Brooklynite, Sister Robert Anne, is played by the exceptional Cari Wagner. Although Robert Anne is cast as an understudy in the variety show, Wagner proves that her voice is worthy of a leading role.
Rounding out the nuns is Jessica DeFrange as Sister Amnesia. DeFrange is brilliantly animated as the dim-witted sister. In the moments when her voice becomes operatic, she is simply stunning.
Partially hidden at the back of the set is musical director Dave Stebbins on piano and his three-piece band, which includes Jim Wolf on percussion and, on keyboard, Ron and Norene Jones.
There is truth behind the name of this musical's first song, "Nunsense is Habit Forming." It's a good thing the playwright has penned eight sequels, no doubt coming soon to a community theater near you.
"Nunsense"
Where: Hudson Players, 41 S. Oviatt St., Hudson
When: Through Feb. 24
Tickets & Info: $14, call 330-655-8522 or visit hudsonplayers.org<http://hudsonplayers.org/>


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