St. Mary’s Parish Hall is full of ‘Nunsense’
By Peg Reynolds
Pontiac Daily Leader
Thu May 28, 2009, 12:25 PM CDT
Pontiac, Ill. - The Vermillion Players
musical comedy “Nunsense” brings
to the stage a former circus-performing nun, a streetwise
nun from Brooklyn, a ballet-dancing nun, and a nun who
lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head.
Mix that with songs and dance that feature tap, ballet and
rap in the gestured-style of Julia Child, the Flying
Nun and the Andrew Sisters and you get a hilarious menu of 21 songs in the two-act
musical.
Also featured is a nun doing a puppet show and portraying
a game-show host, a Reverend Mother who dances with feathers,
a nun with a feathered boa and a nun who professes to be a wannabe country singer.
The Vermillion Players group performed its dress rehearsal
Wednesday night before residents of area nursing homes at St. Mary’s
Parish Hall. The musical will open to the public tonight at 7:30 with additional
evening performances Friday and Saturday, and a matinee Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
The doors will open one hour prior to each performance for a dessert bar, which
is served by St. Mary’s Women’s Guild.
The story, by Dan Goggin, begins as the Little Sisters of
Hoboken discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, played by Rita
Rich, has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters. The remaining 19 nuns run
short of funds and decide to put on a variety show to cover the expenses for
four unburied nuns that have been put on “cold storage” in
their refrigerator.
Cheryl Krueger, a Prairie Central Junior High School teacher,
as Rev. Mother Mary Regina, said this was her first time
back on stage since she was 17. She said she was encouraged to try out for the
part, as veteran VP actor Barbara Drummet will be leaving the group because she
is moving out of state. Drummet gave a couple of appearances in the play as Sister
Mary Myopia.
Always adding a saucy comment to Reverend Mother’s
instructions is Sister Mary Hubert, played by Roxie Gregory.
Robin Buchenau as Sister Robert Anne and Krista Chmiel as
Sister Mary Amnesia both displayed their vocal talents
and ability to bring many chuckles from the audience. Buchenau and Chmiel also
are the co-directors. Chmiel also doubles choreographer.
Liz Vincent, as Sister Mary Leo, also brought back memories
of Sally Field’s portrayal of “The Flying Nun” and
showed off some ballerina talents.
Sister Mary Wilhelm, played by Paula Trainor Rosenbaum,
showed her psychologist ways by always lending a helping
hand.
Adding to the cast are chorus members Carrie Balota, Marilyn
Broerman, Elaine Kuntz, Betsy Nolan and Jo Whitman.
Producers are Michele Barnett and Pam Teske.
In the pit is pianist Jerry Keck and percussionist the Rev.
Gabe Baumgardner. Lighting was operated by Diana DeVault
and sound by Jimmie Ramsey.
The Sister Mary Annette puppet was created by joanE Lipinski.
This show is not part of Vermillion Players regular Theatre-In-The-Park
series and season tickets will not be accepted for entry.
Ticket prices are
$12 in advance or $15 at the door. Tickets are available for purchase at Bank
of Pontiac (main branch), Freestar Bank (main branch), Square West, State Bank
of Graymont (Pontiac branch), Odell State Bank and Busey Bank (Fairbury), or
by calling Vermillion Players at 815-844-3221 or St. Mary’s
Rectory at 815-844-7683.
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