Weiser Little Theater’s hilarious ‘Nunsense’ opens Feb. 14

Weiser Little Theater continues its popular string of musical comedies with the opening of “Nunsense” on Feb. 14.

 Written by Dan Goggin, “Nunsense” is a high-energy, hilarious show full of laughter and songs with an outrageous premise. 

 Audience members will find it difficult, if not impossible, to keep a straight face with the antics of the nuns on stage.

 Five of the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook, Sister Julia, inadvertently poisoned the other 52 sisters of the convent with her tainted vichyssoise while they were off playing bingo. 

 The sisters put on a benefit variety show to raise money to bury the last four of 52 nuns who died from the accidental food poisoning. 

 The setting for the sisters’ revue fundraiser is a high school gym where a production of “Grease” has been staged by the students. The five nuns do song and dance routines, conduct an audience quiz (pay attention) and indulge in other wacky antics.

 Mother Superior opens the show by greeting the audience and apologizing their set constraints. The five nuns introduce themselves in the opening number, “Nunsense is Habit-Forming.” What follows is two hours of over-the-top fun with an intermission.

 “Featuring singing, twirling, tap-dancing nuns, this show will restore your faith in the power of comedy,” one reviewer said about the award-winning musical comedy.

 The WLT production of “Nunsense” is directed by acting and directing veteran Sterling Blackwell. He previously directed “Spitfire Grill” for WLT and is confidient audiences will appreciate and enjoy “Nunsense.”

 “It’s been a long time since I’ve directed a comedy of this nature, and it has been a lot of fun,” Blackwell said.

 Blackwell has assembled a talented all-women cast of experienced stage actors for the two-act play. Most are new to WLT but have acted in TVCC productions and elsewhere. The small cast of “Nunsense” made the auditions much easier and the rehearsals much faster.

 The cast of six nuns includes Joni Ball (Sister Mary Regina, Mother Superior), Alexa Burris (Sister Mary Hubert), Alex Burley (Sister Robert Anne), Susie Haynes (Sister Mary Amnesia), Chloe Macklin (Sister Mary Leo) and at the spotlight is Mirra Grow (Sister Mary Myopea).

 Blackwell said he enjoys transforming the stage and theater space into something that  feels new and different from what audiences have seen before. 

 In addition to directing “Nunsense,” Blackwell is also handling the sound and lighting for the production. 

 The wonderful set was created by Perry Kelley, Jim Gulu, Dick Garrett and Blackwell. Susie Haynes and Blackwell also are in charge of the props for the production.

 “I’ve had some amazing help for this show and I can’t wait for the community to see how it has come together,” Blackwell said.

 The show dates are dessert only nights on Feb. 14, 19, 21, 28. The cost on the dessert night is $15 for the dessert and play.

 The dinner and show nights are Feb. 15, 16, 22, 23 and March 1, 2. The dinner and show tickets are $25. Dinner is salad, herb-crusted roast beef, cheesy potatoes with marsala gravy and California blend vegetables. Dessert is double chocolate brownies.

 Tickets are available from the Weiser Chamber of Commerce, which is located in the Vendome. The Chamber can be reached at 208-414-0452. Tickets also can be purchased online at www.weiserlittletheater.org.