Theater preview: 'Nunsense' takes the stage this week at Tibbits
The musical “Nunsense” brings the antics of five funny nuns to life when the Tibbits Summer Theatre production opens Thursday.
Performances run at 7:30 p.m. July 14-15 and 21-23, with matinees on July 14, July 17 and July 20.
“Nunsense” is a comedy that follows the misadventures of five nuns from the Little Sisters of Hoboken who try to manage a fundraiser. Sadly, the rest of the sisters were accidentally poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia (Child of God). Thus, the remaining nuns – ballet-loving Sister Leo, street-wise Sister Robert Anne, befuddled Sister Mary Amnesia, the Mother Superior Sister Regina, and mistress of the novices Sister Mary Hubert – stage a talent show in order to raise the money to bury their dearly departed. Catchy songs like “Nunsense is Habit-Forming,” “Tackle that Temptation with a Time-Step”, and “Holier than Thou,” along with some mildly irreverent comedy will keep the audience laughing and humming long after the show ends.
With book, music and lyrics by Dan Goggin, “Nunsense” is directed by Mathew C. Scott, who is sharing the musical direction with Cindy Garn. Choreography is by Liz Davis. The show features Tibbits Summer Theatre veterans Brenda Sparks as Mother Superior, Kiersten Vorheis as Sister Mary Amnesia, and Liz Davis as Sister Mary Leo along with newcomers Cheyane Marie as Sister Mary Hubert and Gianna Branca as Sister Mary Robert Anne. The design staff features Aaron Bell as set designer and technical director, Dusti Donbrock as costume designer, Jamie Gresens as lighting designer, props by Maddy Byrnes, Josh Rockwell as sound designer and Ariel Sheets as production stage manager.
Tickets for “Nunsense” range from $15-36 including fees. Discounts are available for Tibbits members, groups and students. Tickets are available online at Tibbits.org, at the Tibbits adminisirative office, 93 W. Chicago St., by calling (517) 278-6029, or at the box office one hour prior to all performances. All tickets are charged a facility/ticketing fee whether in person or not; there are no additional fees for ordering online.
“Nunsense” is sponsored by Frederick Family Dental, who is also a co-sponsor of the Kids Theatre Workshop. Frederick Family Dental provides quality dentistry for the whole family in a comfortable, friendly environment. They offer preventative dental care, cosmetic dentistry, same-day crowns, fillings, root canals and dental emergencies. It is locally owned and operated.
Dr. Evan Frederick and his wife, Kate, are Coldwater natives and Evan enjoys being able to serve the community he calls home. In their third year as a Tibbits sponsor, Dr. Frederick and his staff are excited to give to such a cultural cornerstone in the Coldwater community.
Dr. Frederick says, “Tibbits was a part of my formative years. I took part in plays like “The Music Man” and “A Christmas Carol”, and volunteered as a stage hand for our high school productions. I am excited to now be able to start to give back all that Tibbits has given me.”
Tibbits also receives grant funding from the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and National Endowment for the Arts.
Tibbits Ghost Light Bar in the theatre’s lower-level art gallery is open before each show and at intermission. Patrons also are invited to view the Patricia Polacco exhibit or the historic exhibit displays throughout the theater.
All performances are held at the historic Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett St., in Coldwater. For additional information, call or visit Tibbits.org.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Reporter: 'Nunsense' takes the stage this week at Tibbits
