Nuns make laughter a habit
Teresa Mallam
Free Press
They do studies about this stuff. Laughter is still the best medicine according to smart folks like psychiatrist Robert Holder who runs laughter clinics in England.
"Smiling and laught produce happy chemicals called endorphins which work in the brain to give an overall feeling of well-being," says Holden.
But, never mind the stuffy studies. The Little Sisters of Hoboken figured out long ago that laughter is good for the soul. And the cast of Nunsense 2: The Second Coming, gave the audience a taste of their own medicine opening night at the Prince George Playhouse.
The original cast was back and for those who missed the fun last time, there was a quick summary about the antics of loopy but loveable nuns at Mount Saint Helen's School. The not-so-pious plot revolves around the nuns showing off their talents (they believe a talent scout is in the audience) and then saving Sister Amnesia (and her lottery winnings) from the clutches of the greedy Franciscans.
Wonderfully played by Robin Norman, Sister Amnesia a.k.a. Mary Paul does spend a lot of her time hiding behnd bushes but she brings great warmth and charm to an already wonderful comedy, particularly with her puppet performance.
Norman's great singing voice is perfect for her solo song, No One Cared Like You and blends in perfectly with other "nuns."
Catherine Hansen-McCarthy who plays Sr. Robert Anne is a treat to watch on stage. Her heartfelt rendition of songs like, I Am Here To Stay, Un Beli Di and I've Got Pizazz (with Judy Wiebe as Rev. Mother) are real show stoppers. Hansen-McCarthy has brilliant comedic talent ranging from gestures like broad grins to well-timed thumbs-up. Her clever impersonations where she converts her nun's attire into not so saintly characters are great fun.
Sandra Clermont who starred in Dolly plays Sr. mary Hubert and displayed her usual flamboyant flair which ain't easy dressed in a nun's habit. During her years performing in many Judy Russell productions, Clermont credited the dance studio owner and longtime choreographer friendship and mentoring with her own maturung as an actor. Indeed, Clermont not ony plays her part, she ups the ante. She's well cast as Rev. Mother's second in command.
Diana McKellar as Sister Mary Myopia is delightufl, funny and fast (she had to drag props on and off state at record speeds). Kelsey Wheatley as Sister Mary Leo has a sweet singing voice and she is a divine dancer. Her solo rendition of The Prima Ballerina and her duet with Clermont, The Biggest Sitll Ain't the Best showcased her talents to the max.
Judy Wiebe as Reverend Mother is perfect. She looks the part. Se acts the part. And she has a lovely singing voice with an amazing range. Now that she has appeared on stage once again as Rev. Mother (Sister Mary Regina), it would be hard for me to imagine anyone else with her combination of talents filling her matronly black shoes. When she picked up a microphone and launched into What Would Elivs Do? swiveling her hips and crooning like the King — joined in her gyrations by Clermont — I thought I'd die laughing.
Judy Russell's Nunsense 2: The Second Coming runs through to Jan. 20 at the Playhouse, 8 p.m. except for 2 p.m. matinee Jan. 14. No performance Jan. 15. Tickets are at Studio 2880.
Free Press
They do studies about this stuff. Laughter is still the best medicine according to smart folks like psychiatrist Robert Holder who runs laughter clinics in England.
"Smiling and laught produce happy chemicals called endorphins which work in the brain to give an overall feeling of well-being," says Holden.
But, never mind the stuffy studies. The Little Sisters of Hoboken figured out long ago that laughter is good for the soul. And the cast of Nunsense 2: The Second Coming, gave the audience a taste of their own medicine opening night at the Prince George Playhouse.
The original cast was back and for those who missed the fun last time, there was a quick summary about the antics of loopy but loveable nuns at Mount Saint Helen's School. The not-so-pious plot revolves around the nuns showing off their talents (they believe a talent scout is in the audience) and then saving Sister Amnesia (and her lottery winnings) from the clutches of the greedy Franciscans.
Wonderfully played by Robin Norman, Sister Amnesia a.k.a. Mary Paul does spend a lot of her time hiding behnd bushes but she brings great warmth and charm to an already wonderful comedy, particularly with her puppet performance.
Norman's great singing voice is perfect for her solo song, No One Cared Like You and blends in perfectly with other "nuns."
Catherine Hansen-McCarthy who plays Sr. Robert Anne is a treat to watch on stage. Her heartfelt rendition of songs like, I Am Here To Stay, Un Beli Di and I've Got Pizazz (with Judy Wiebe as Rev. Mother) are real show stoppers. Hansen-McCarthy has brilliant comedic talent ranging from gestures like broad grins to well-timed thumbs-up. Her clever impersonations where she converts her nun's attire into not so saintly characters are great fun.
Sandra Clermont who starred in Dolly plays Sr. mary Hubert and displayed her usual flamboyant flair which ain't easy dressed in a nun's habit. During her years performing in many Judy Russell productions, Clermont credited the dance studio owner and longtime choreographer friendship and mentoring with her own maturung as an actor. Indeed, Clermont not ony plays her part, she ups the ante. She's well cast as Rev. Mother's second in command.
Diana McKellar as Sister Mary Myopia is delightufl, funny and fast (she had to drag props on and off state at record speeds). Kelsey Wheatley as Sister Mary Leo has a sweet singing voice and she is a divine dancer. Her solo rendition of The Prima Ballerina and her duet with Clermont, The Biggest Sitll Ain't the Best showcased her talents to the max.
Judy Wiebe as Reverend Mother is perfect. She looks the part. Se acts the part. And she has a lovely singing voice with an amazing range. Now that she has appeared on stage once again as Rev. Mother (Sister Mary Regina), it would be hard for me to imagine anyone else with her combination of talents filling her matronly black shoes. When she picked up a microphone and launched into What Would Elivs Do? swiveling her hips and crooning like the King — joined in her gyrations by Clermont — I thought I'd die laughing.
Judy Russell's Nunsense 2: The Second Coming runs through to Jan. 20 at the Playhouse, 8 p.m. except for 2 p.m. matinee Jan. 14. No performance Jan. 15. Tickets are at Studio 2880.
posted by The Little Sisters of Hoboken at 4:10 PM
<< Home