Overview
Synopsis
Nunsense is a hilarious spoof about the misadventures of five nuns trying to manage a fundraiser. Sadly, the rest of the sisterhood died from botulism after eating vichyssoise prepared by 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. With catchy songs and irreverent comedy, Nunsense is sure to keep audiences rolling with laughter. This show is perfect for a small cast of women with excellent comedy chops and is a great addition to any theatre season.
Show Information
- Book
- Dan Goggin
- Music
- Dan Goggin
- Lyrics
- Dan Goggin
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1985
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- Mt. Saint Helen’s school auditorium, Present Day
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- Small
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- All-Female Cast, College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
The idea for Nunsense was developed from a line of greeting cards by show creator Dan Goggin. He expanded this idea into a cabaret, which ran for 38 weeks. Eventually, Goggin turned his cabaret into a full-length musical, which opened Off-Broadway and ran for 3,672 performances, becoming the second longest running Off-Broadway show in history. First produced at the Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City on December 12, 1985, Nunsense was directed by its author, Dan Goggin. The show has since
to read the context for Nunsense and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Nuns from the Little Sisters of Hoboken convent gather in the audience, chatting amongst themselves and to the audience members. Sister Robert Anne addresses the audience and asks for their help to lift Reverend Mother’s mood by chanting “Wo!” as she enters. The stage manager alerts the nuns and the audience members that Reverend Mother, Sister Mary Regina, is about to enter. Sister Robert Anne along with Sister Mary Hubert and Sister Mary Leo, cheer with the audience. Reverend Mother
to read the plot for Nunsense and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
Songs
ACT ONE
- Veni Creator Spiritus/Nunsense is Habit-Forming - Company
- A Difficult Transition - Company
- Benedictie - Sister Mary Leo
- The Biggest Ain’t the Best - Sister Mary Hubert, Sister Mary Leo
- Another Surprise - Sister Robert Anne
- Playing Second Fiddle - Sister Robert Anne
- So You Want to Be a Nun - Sister Mary Amnesia
- Turn Up the Spotlight - Sister Mary Regina
- Lilacs Bring Back Memories - Sister Mary Regina, Sister Mary Hubert, Sister Mary Amnesia
- * Tackle That Temptation With a Time-Step - Sister Mary Hubert and Company
ACT TWO
- Growing Up Catholic - Sister Mary Robert Anne, Company
- We’ve Got to Clean Out the Freezer - Company
- Just a Coupl’a Sisters - Sister Mary Regina, Sister Mary Hubert
- I Just Want to Be a Star - Sister Robert Anne
- The Drive-In - Sister Robert Anne, Sister Mary Amnesia, Sister Mary Leo
- I Could Have Gone to Nashville - Sister Mary Amnesia
- Gloria In Excelsis Deo - Sister Mary Regina and Company
- Holier Than Thou - Sister Mary Hubert and Company
- Finale (Nunsense Is Habit Forming Reprise) - Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Theatre that uses physicality as the primary means of story-telling.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Guide Written By:
Emma Houlahan
Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.