Seeking inspiration, guidance, and laughter at her jokes, Sister Mary Amnesia (Liza Smith) prays for audiences to flock to Nunsense II, opening at the Fredericksburg Theater Company this weekend. Photo by Matt Ward
Details:
Fredericksburg Theater Company’s Nunsense II runs October 9 - 25, 2009. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 2 p.m.
For tickets and information:
Online: www.fredericksburgtheater.org
Box Office: 306 E. Austin Street
Phone: 830-997-3588
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Nunsense, Too
by Phil Houseal
Oct 7, 2009
Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.
Now then, my boy, what is your sin this time? Greed, envy, gluttony, pride...
Well, I haven’t really committed it yet.
You know, son, sins of omission are as real as sins of commission. Now what are you thinking of doing?
Well, Father, I am not going to go see Nunsense II at the Fredericksburg Theater Company.
Ahhhh... sloth.
But I was taught it is not right to laugh at nuns. If the nuns caught us laughing they rapped our knuckles.
Oh, my child... times have changed. Laughter is the way and the light. It says right in the Bible that while listening to Paul preach, young Eutychus grew weary, leaned back and fell out of a third story window! Don’t you know the acolytes had a good time ribbing the boy about that little contretemps!
So it’s OK to have fun with religious material?
OK? It’s practically the 11th commandment. Tell me, can you keep a secret?
I guess so.
Well, I’ve been watching rehearsals, and this show is going to make you laugh so hard you will split your side. This play picks up right where the first show left off. Remember, the Little Sisters of Hoboken are all back after their first sold out show where they raised funds to help bury their Sisters who were accidentally poisoned by Sister Julia, the cook. There’s Reverend Mother Regina, a former circus performer; Sister Mary Hubert; Sister Robert Anne; Sister Mary Leo, a novice who wants to be a ballerina; and poor Sister Mary Amnesia, the nun who lost her memory when a crucifix plonked her head. In Nunsense II, the girls are putting on a “thank you” show for their fans. It has new music and more comedy. I can’t wait to watch The Padre Polka. I might jump on stage and join them for that one!
Oh my, oh my. Forgive me for prattling on. I need to confess to myself! Now be off and...
Pssst! Pssst! Don’t forget Sister Mary Annette.
Who is that? Who said that?
Sister Mary Annette is Sister Amnesia’s puppet. And it’s me, Sister Robert Ann. I was waiting in the next confessional and couldn’t help overhearing.
Sister Robert Ann - you are the naughty nun, aren’t you? We will talk later about the sin of eavesdropping. Please wait your turn. Now back to you, my boy. Where were we?
You were telling me it’s not a sin to laugh at religion.
Of course not! Why, I remember the time I was at a conference and I stepped into the bar with a rabbi and a minister. The bartender looked up and asked, “What is this - some kind of a joke?”
Um... Father. Am I finished?
Oh, bless me, son! And bless you. For your penance, buy two tickets to Nunsense II and take a friend, preferably a prodigal. Now go in peace and laughter.