Nunsense: A fun but unspectacular musical

Nunsense opens up with the cast singing "we're here tonight to share with you the humor of the nun." Although it seems to be a struggle at first, they ultimately reach their goal.

The story is a strange one. Fifty-two nuns from a Hoboken, N.J. convent were poisoned by the cook's attempt at vichyssoise and died, and the convent only had enough money to bury 48. The remaining four corpses are stored in the freezer until enough funds can be raised to send them to their heavenly destination. Five of the living nuns plan a variety show to raise the money. The first act opens with the nuns explaining their situation. The set design is simple; it takes place in a school gym where students are performing the musical Grease. At first, it is disconcerting to see a nun perched on an exercise bike, but once the situation is explained, it all falls into place.

The first solo goes to college first-year Levke Haas, who plays Sister Mary Amnesia. Her bubbly character is revealed to the audience as she quizzes them on the nuns' history. Haas' smile hides her surprising bark as she tries to get the audience's or the lighting crew's attention. But she is charming and cuddles right up to the audience. She plays a character who is written as stereotypically flighty and absent-minded, but she does a very good job of trying to move beyond the obvious path the character could take.

Her high point is during her solo, "I Could've Gone to Nashville," during which her voice takes on a lovely country twang.

College senior Meg Kontrabecki plays Sister Mary Leo, who is ironically named considering her quiet voice. She dreams of becoming the first famous nun ballerina, and dances to wake herself up every morning. She is a cheery but bland character, and being the youngest nun, she often appears with other nuns and never carries the stage alone.

Reverend Mother Mary Regina, played by college sophomore Kristen Schultz, fits the typical nun stereotype the play mocks. She carries a contrived Irish accent and speaks for all of the convent when they should speak for themselves. Her voice is not as strong as the other characters' and she is not as humorous, but neither is her character. She shines in the moments she loosens up, when she sings about her desire to be "in the spotlight" and when she imitates the Pope speaking Italian.

College junior Jenna Steinberg, who plays Sister Robert Anne, is kept in the background for much of the first act, being the understudy of the variety show. After Sister Mary Regina lets her have her own number, she takes center stage for much of the rest of the musical. She is the "street smart" nun, with a history that shocks the others. She brings a rougher humor to the stage, often ridiculing the convent and its members, but it works. Her strong voice is suited to her character, who often upstages the other nuns.

College senior Ché Gonzalez plays Sister Mary Hubert, Sister Mary Regina's right-hand woman. When they are both on stage they jest and vie for the audience's attention, but there is no contest.

Gonzalez has a beautiful voice which is made clear during the uplifting gospel tune at the end. Her humor is also dry and refreshing, but she isn't given enough time alone on stage.

The cast is at its strongest together, and although the first act is shaky, they pull together for numbers such as "Baking with the BVM" where they discover the crude nature of the recipes in the convent cookbook. The last song, "Holier Than Thou," is lovely and uplifting, and the whole audience was clapping along as Sister Hubert belted out the song.

The choreography, lighting and set are simple, and the first act is a little weak, but the second act is much livelier and funnier, and the actresses' voices are stronger, not getting drowned out by the music. The actresses keep up energy throughout the musical, and the audience can't help but like the characters. Their voices are clear and well matched, and the casting is well chosen. Nunsensee is a little clichéd, but it has its strong points and ends up being funny and uplifting.

Nunsense will be performed tonight at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in Wilder Main Lounge. Tickets are $12.

Good Habits: The cast of Nunsense performs in late February. The show is going up again this weekend. (file photo)