Navan's 'Nunsense' promises song, dance and comedy
St Mary's Musical Society's production of 'Nunsense' begins its run at the Solstice Arts Centre Navan, tomorrow (Thursday) night. 'Nunsense' is a musical comedy with book lyrics and music by Dan Goggins. Originating as a line of greeting cards, Goggins expanded the concept into a caberet that ran for 38 weeks and eventually into a full length musical. The original off Broadway production opened on 12th December 1985, running for 3,672 performances becoming the second longest running off Broadway show. 'Nunsence' is the story of five of the 19 surviving Little Sisters of Hoboken, a one-time missionary order that ran a leper colony in the south of France. They discover that their cook, Sister Julia Child accidentally killed the other fifty-two residents of the convent, while they were off playing bingo. Upon discovering the disaster, Mother Superior had a vision in which she was told to start a greeting card company to raise funds for the burials. The greeting cards were an enormous success and, thinking there was plenty of money, the Reverend Mother bought a vcr and camcorder for the convent, leaving her with no money in the kitty to pay for the last four burials. With the deceased nuns on ice in the deep freeze, they decide to stage a variety show in the Mount Saint Helen's School auditorium to raise the necessary amount. Participating in the hilariously madcap adventure are Mother Superior Mary Regina (Rhona Walsh), her competitive but dignified rival, second-in-command Sister Mary Hubert (Cathriona Mongey); Sister Robert Anne (Jane Wardick), Sister Mary Leo (Janet McElroy), Sister Mary Amnesia (Carol O'Toole), Sister Wilhem (Mairead Murray), Sister Julia (Rosie Meegan), Sister Brendan (Wilma Nicolls), Sister Luke (Kathleen Callan), Sister Mathew (Stephanie Finney) Father Virgil (David Monaghan). Chorus members are Leia De Lucia, Carolyn Clinton, Tracy Fitzsimons, Fiona Slevin, Leonie Masterson, Tom Walsh, Aoife Kiernan, Alex Hill, Adele Crawford, Hugh Hennelly, Caithriona McCabe, Nicola Sheils and Laerke Laerdford. Supporting this cast behind the scenes is a talented production team, director Ray O'Hare, musical director, Jacqui McGowan, and choreographer, Deirdre O'Luanaigh. The musical always leaves its audiences laughing and happy, with great songs, delightful dance, and tons of jokes. Classic musical highlights include, 'Nunsense Is Habit-Forming', 'The Biggest Ain't The Best', 'Playing Second Fiddle', 'I Just Want To Be A Star', and 'I Could've Gone To Nashville'. Running on the 7th, 8th, 9th and 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th of April, tickets for this laugh a minute family musical are available from the Solstice Arts Centre on (046) 909 2300. Exeptional value of €12 per person on opening night, 7th April, and all other performances, €15.