Nunsense the musical?

Question

Can anyone tell me about Nunsense? My school is going to be doing it. I'm an alto, are there any alto parts? It will be double cast, so that improves my chances of getting in. I know that there is one character that is a ballerina. I am practicing really hard to show off my dancing and how fast I learn in the current musical. Do you have any advice for me? Auditions will be in November.

Answer 1

Nunsense was one of THE funniest plays I have EVER seen!
You will have a BLAST!
The one I saw live had all sorts of women in it.
Black, White, Asian, Latino.
Some who COULD sing.
Some who COULDN'T sing.
It does not matter in this play at all.
Nuns come from all kinds of backgrounds, as do the women in this play.
As in all things, you take your background with you.
That is what made this play so delightful.
Every time I have seen this play it has been just a little different because the different women bring a part of themselves into it.
As an Alto.....try dropping that voice down even lower than usual in some parts...make it funny.
It is, after all, a comedy.
Good luck and have fun!

Answer 2

Go for it, have fun! This is a great musical for showcasing women. Yes, there are alto parts. Not every role is a soprano. Be willing to listen to what the director asks, have a comic monologue ready just in case. Nunsense, it's habit forming.

Answer 3

Winner of the Outer Critics' Circle awards for the best off Broadway musical and for the best book and best music and seen at London's Fortune Theatre in 1987. Nunsense is a hilarious talent show staged by five survivors at the Little Sisters of Hoboken nunnery, the rest of the sisterhood having succumbed to botulism after eating vichyssoise prepared by Sister Julia, Child of God. The remaining "Little Hobos" parade their talents at a variety show staged to raise funds so that the last four of the dearly departed can be buried. The score pulses with merriment and an unabashed desire to make you laugh, with songs and spontaneous comic interludes paced at break-neck speed. Amid the merriment is a riotous audience participation quiz that has everyone rolling in the aisles, Nunsense offers a cornucopia of hilarity for the whole family, proving conclusively that nun rhymes with fun!


Synopsis
The Little Sisters of Hoboken operate Mount Saint Helen's School in Hoboken, NewJersey. 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 vichysoisse 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 Sienna 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 Mother bought a VCR for the convent. When she realised there was only enough money left to bury 48, she decided to stage a talent show to raise the money to bury the last four sisters who were put on ice in the convent deep freeze. The show reflects the events of that evening of Nunsense.

The program begins with a prayer and 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 behaviour and asks that the spotlight be turned up as she takes centre stage herself. Unexpectedly, flowers arrive from the Ladies' Altar Society. The fragrance of the lilacs brings back memories and Sister Leo has an idea this 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. Reverend Mother is delayed at the beginning of the second half of the program and so Sister Robert Anne entertains the audience with stories of growing up Catholic.

When Reverend Mother returns she informs the sisters that they have received a summons from the New Jersey Board of Health and they must clean out the freezer. The program continues as Reverend Mother and Sister Hubert perform Just a Coupl'a Sisters. Finally Reverend Mother allows Sister Robert Anne to sing a solo explaining that she just wants to be a star. This is followed by The Drive-In sung by the Saint Andrew's 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 realise they have all the money they need. 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!


Musical Numbers:
Nunsense is Habit-Forming - Cast
A Difficult Transition - Cast
Benedicite /The Biggest Ain't the Best - Sr. Hubert and Sr. Leo
Playing Second Fiddle - Sr. Robert Anne
So You Want to be a Nun - Sr. Mary Amnesia
Turn Up the Spotlight - Sr. Mary Cardelia
Lilacs Bring Back Memories Cast
Tackle That Temptation With a Time-Step - Sr. Hubert and Cast
Growing Up Catholic - Sr. Robert Anne and Cast
We've Got to Clean Out the Freezer - Cast
Just a Coupl 'a Sisters - Srs. Cardelia and Hubert
I Just Want to be a Star - Sr. Robert Anne
The Drive-In - The Saint Andrew's Sisters
I Could've Gone to Nashville - Sr. Mary Amnesia
Holier than Thou - Sr. Hubert and Cast
Finale - Cast


"Habit forming." The New York Times


"Nunsense is good old-fashioned comedy at its best: it is quick paced, generally raucous, occasionally touching and totally wonderful. Bravo!" Back Stage


The Cast: F5

Sister Mary Regina
- Mother Superior: a feisty, overweight Sophie Tucker-type who can't resist the spotlights.


Sister Mary Hubert
- Mistress of Novices: the second-in -command, she is always competing with the Mother Superior.


Sister Robert Anne
- a streetwise, tough character from Brooklyn, a constant source of irritation for the Mother Superior


Sister Mary Amnesia
- this nun lost her memory after a crucifix fell on her head; she is very sweet.


Sister Mary Leo
- the novice, who has entered the convent with the firm desire to become the first nun ballerina.


Orchestration: Reeds, Drums, Synthesizer