Theatre on a Shoestring


ovalnun.gif Nunsense ovalnun.gif


Logo
Poster art by Mark Lakowske


ovalnun.gif The Story ovalnun.gif


The Little Sisters of Hoboken operate Mount Saint Helen's School in Hoboken, new Jersey. Originally founded as a missionary order, they started out running a leper colony on an island south of France. Forced to leave the island when they lost control to a group of Protestant competitors, they returned to Hoboken. They went unnoticed until one day their cook, Sister Julia -- Child of God -- unwittingly served some tainted vichyssoise soup and 52 sisters died of botulism. Fortunately a few of the sisters were off playing bingo with some Maryknolls and so were spared. Upon discovering the disaster, Mother Superior had a vision -- it was either Saint Catherine of Siena or Saint Thomas Aquinas in drag (she's not sure) -- in which she was told to start a greeting card company to raise funds for the burials of the 52. The greeting cards were an enormous success and thinking there was plenty of money, Reverend other bought a big screen TV for the convent. When she realized there was only enough money left to bury 48 of the dead sisters, she decided to stage a talent show to raise the money to bury the last four dearly departed who were put on ice in the convent deep freeze.

The program begins with a prayer an opening song, followed by a brief history describing their difficult transition from the leper colony to Hoboken. Sister Mary Leo then describes a typical morning at the convent after which she is admonished by Sister Mary Hubert, the Mistress of Novices, to be humble. Reverend Mother is confronted by Sister Robert Anne with the fact that she is unhappy playing second fiddle as the understudy and wants a solo of her own. Reverend Mother insists that her decisions are final and brings out Sister Mary Amnesia to tell the audience what it's like to be a nun. To everyone's surprise, Sister Amnesia has brought her puppet, Sister Mary Annette, to help out. Reverend Mother is shocked at their behavior and asks that the spotlight be turned up as she takes center stage herself. Unexpectedly, flowers arrive from the Ladies' Altar Society. The fragrance of the lilacs brings back memories and Sister Leo has an idea could help Sister Amnesia. When it doesn't work, Sister Mary Hubert leads everyone in a rousing tap number. Reverend Mother gets a little carried away, and they decide to take a break. Finally, Reverend Mother allows Sister Robert Anne to sing a solo explaining that she just wants to be a star. This is followed by an appearance by the Saint Andrews Sisters of Hoboken. Sister Amnesia is then left alone on stage to tell a story. When she is telling the audience that she could've gone to Nashville and become a country singer, she suddenly remembers who she is -- Sister Mary Paul! Reverend Mother recalls that Sister Mary Paul was the name of the nun who won the Publishers' Clearing House Sweepstakes, and no one could ever find her. There is much joy as the sisters realize they have all the money they need to finish burying the dead sisters and maybe even buy a DVD player to go with the big screen TV! Sister Hubert gives some last minute advice on becoming a saint, and then the finale is sung leaving no doubt that everyone will live happily ever after!



ovalnun.gif The Castovalnun.gif




Reverend Mother - Kori Kowitz
Sister Mary Hubert - Liz Lefevre
Sister Robert Anne - Sarah McCauley
Sister Mary Leo - Caitlin Hemmerich
Sister Mary Amnesia - Julia MacCallum
Sister Mary Richard (Stage Manager) - Robyn Schubert
Sister Mary Andrew - Heidi Andrew
Sister Mary Adam - Kim Wood
Sister Mary William - Karlie Armour
Sister Mary Franklin - Jackie Schubert
Father Drobney - Mark Lakowske


ovalnun.gif The Orchestraovalnun.gif


Piano - Phil Stiemke
Synthesizer - Luana Stiemke
Drums - AJ Knight
Woodwinds - Jon Marin
Pageturner - Jillian Stiemke


ovalnun.gif The Production Teamovalnun.gif


Director - Laurie Swigart
Stage Manager - Robyn Schubert
Set Design - Laurie Swigart
Choreography - Laurie Swigart
Publicity Diane Hanson
Poster Artwork - Mark Lakowske
Costume Mistress - Patty Elsen
Costume Assistant - Mark Lakowske
Makeup Design - Mark Lakowske
Properties Mistress - Sheila Jeffery
Lobby Display - Liz Lefevre
Box Office Manager - Roger Swigart
Technical Director - Tony Olson
Sound Technicians - Frank Dloniak, Rick Schubert
Light Technician - Kristin Mull
Follow-spot - Leanne Koller
Scenic Construction - Todd Brooks, Roger Swigart
Scenic Painting -- Russ Tock, Lindsey McNown


ovalnun.gif The Showovalnun.gif


(Photos taken during dress rehearsal)

Whoo!
Whoo!
The Great Race
The Great Race
Lost by a nose
Lost by a nose
A-mennnn!
A-mennnnn!
Question #1
The Question #1
Morning at the convent
Morning at the convent
Nun ballerina
Nun Ballerina
Convent Miranda
Convent Miranda
The Understudy
The Understudy
But Sister Mary Annette...
But Sister Mary Annette...
We love Rev Mom!
We love Rev Mom!
Lilacs bring back memories...
Lilacs bring back memories...
...but not this time
...but not this time
Happy tappers!
Happy tappers!
Peek-a-boo!
Peek-a-boo!
Growing up Catholic
Growing up Catholic
Meet Lake Superior!
Meet Lake Superior!
Tainted soup
Tainted soup
The dying nun
The dying nun
Amnesia's bookstand
Amnesia's bookstand
The St. Andrew's Sisters of Hoboken
The St. Andrew's Sister of Hoboken
Nunsmoke
Nunsmoke
Don't take my ducky!
Don't take my ducky!
Amnesia remembers
Amnesia remembers
Holier Than Thou
Holier Than Thou
Family portrait
Family portrait
BINGO!
BINGO!


RETURN TO THEATRE ON A SHOESTRING