St. Johnsbury Players Present “Nunsense”

St. Johnsbury Players Present “Nunsense”

nunsense posterOutrageous comedy and snappy dancing will take the stage during the first two weekends in May when the St. Johnsbury Players present the musical, Nunsense.

What is Nunsense?

This delightful production written by Dan Goggin centers on a group of nuns, The Little Sisters of Hoboken, who are “puttin’ on a show”. The fundraiser is necessary because most of the sisters in the convent have been wiped out by a bad batch of vichyssoise soup, the worst of Chef Sister Julia’s many culinary disasters. All the dead sisters have been properly buried except for the four in the walk-in freezer. The hope is to raise enough money to bury the sisters before the New Jersey Board of Health makes a kitchen inspection.

Sounds like fun. Who’s in it?

The cast of Nunsense, from left: JoHanna Schillemat as Sister Robert Anne; Sandi Breen as Sister Mary Amnesia; Susan-Lynn Johns as the Reverend Mother; Lora Dean as Sister Hubert; and Heather Bowser as Sister Leo.
The cast of Nunsense, from left: JoHanna Schillemat as Sister Robert Anne; Sandi Breen as Sister Mary Amnesia; Susan-Lynn Johns as the Reverend Mother; Lora Dean as Sister Hubert; and Heather Bowser as Sister Leo.

Susan-Lynn Johns plays the Reverend Mother, Mary Regina, who is in charge of the convent. It was the Rev’s impetuous decision to buy a 4K TV which has led to the need for this fund-raiser. Her second-in-command, Sister Hubert, played by Lora Dean, aspires to the Reverend Mother’s job and doesn’t hesitate to point out Mary Regina’s lack of judgment with the television purchase. Sister Mary Amnesia, played by Sandi Breen, is a sweet nun who is constantly confused. She can’t remember who she was before a crucifix fell on her head years ago. Sister Robert Anne, played by LTS music teacher Johanna Schillemat, is a tough cookie who grew up on the streets of Brooklyn and is sure this benefit performance could be her road to stardom. Sister Leo, the novice, portrayed by Heather Bowser, desperately yearns to be the world’s first premiere ballerina nun.

Joanna Schillemat as Sister Robert Anne in "Nunsense"
Joanna Schillemat as Sister Robert Anne in “Nunsense”

The show is directed and choreographed by J. Michele Laberge and Patricia Webster. Musicians are William Brancaccio, band leader and keyboards; Johanna Kennedy, pianist; Barry Hayes, lead guitar; Sean Breen, bass guitar. Sound will be run by Zach Brown. Sue Montague is the prop mistress. Lighting will be provided by Josh Duncan and set design by Jan Clausing.

Nunsense will be performed at the St. Johnsbury School auditorium on May 4th, 5th, 11th, and 12th at 7:30. A 2:00 pm matinee will be held on May 13th.  The matinee performance will benefit the Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging, a non-profit organization that provides services, resources, and advocacy for older people in the NEK. The Council on Aging will receive half of the box office proceeds from the matinee performance, as well as any funds raised by refreshment sales.

Okay, I’m sold. How do I get tickets?

To purchase tickets online, click here to visit our presenting partner Catamount Arts.

Tickets will also be available at the door.

Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and $6 for St. Johnsbury Players members.