NUNSENSE 2: The Second Coming...

Photo gallery now online

2007-01-13T12:17:00.000-08:00

Brother Mike has given the nuns some great news! He's managed to put together an online photo gallery of our wonderful Thank-You Show.

Click Here to see all the fun we're having!

Nuns make laughter a habit

2007-01-12T16:10:00.000-08:00

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.

Nunsense sequel simply divine

2007-01-11T12:28:00.000-08:00

Review by Patty Stewart
Special to the Citizen

Heaven help us, the nuns are back in town and they're putting on an absolutely hilarious show at the Prince George Playhouse.

In the rollicking production Nunsense 2: The Second Coming, the nuns are brighter, bolder and bawdier than ever before.

Judy Russell and the Enchainement Studio have brought back the little sisters from Hoboken, New Jersey, Mount. St. Helen's School.

The story is nothing but fluffy fun, and that's part of what makes the night so enjoyable.

But what really steals the show are the performances by the five leading ladies — all extremely talented vocalists and dancers with comedic abilities that grab the spotlight.

Played by Catherine Hansen-McCarthy, Sister Robert Ann, also known as Sister Bob, is a street-savvy Brooklyn girl, the unofficial hit-man of the convent, ready to take on any threat with her fists, followed by prayers from Reverend Mother. Her standout number, I am Here to Stay, is a vocal triumph, with hilarious touches.

Sister Mary Leo, played by Kelsey Wheatley, longs for the life of a ballerina, but is forbidden to wear a tutu. In the absolutely uproarious number, The Prima Ballerina, she dons roller skates, all the while singing her heart out. Wheatley's voice is beautiful — clear, controlled, strong and very sweet.

Simmering on the sidelines is Sister Mary Hubert, played by Sandra Clermont. The tall, beanpole straight, combat boot-wearing sister is frustrated with her position as second banana to Reverend Mother, but too holy to really lash out. Clermont's best work of the night comes during the soulful Only One Way to End Your Prayers.

Judy Wiebe brings just the right touch of decorum, with a strong stage presence, and exquisite diction, to the role of the Reverend Mother, a former circus performer.

Robin Norman is a wonderful Sister Mary Amnesia. It's guaranteed guffaws when Norman appears herter read sequin cowboy hat, white boots, strumming a guitar to The Country Nun.

Val Stanley, Keith Poulin and Naomi Kavka provide perfect accompaniment, and as with all Russell productions, the set was clever and visually entertaining.

Judy Russell has found an audience winner in the Nunsense productions and it's not just because of the great music and performances. It's the comedy that they have cornered and mastered, and that's what makes Nunsense 2 such a treat.

Nunsense 2 runs through Jan. 20. Tickets are available Studio 2880.

Winning is just the Beginning!

2007-01-07T14:32:00.000-08:00

That's a line from our new show! And the five lucky winners of two tickets to opening night are:

Pat Cummins
John Lamarre
Ken Morland
Laura Mead
Danielle Perry

For you who didn't win tickets, lots of great seats are available for all shows.

We promise you'll have a great time full of hearty laughter!

And we have one final video for your viewing pleasure:

Tackle That Temptation

Almost time for Christmas

2006-12-21T14:29:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! We hope all of your Christmas preparations are coming together nicely.

Here at the convent we seem to be having some troubles. We've been so busy rehearsing for the "thank you" show starting in a few weeks that we've barely had time to get anything done! Not only that, but Sister Amnesia has forgotten where she put this year's special Midnight Mass hymnals, and Sister Mary Myopia is having difficulty finding the baby Jesus for the nativity display.

Sister Robert Anne says she'll substitute for "Little JC." Heaven forbid!

We're sure you're also busy rushing around this time of year. Of course, tickets to our show are quick and easy to purchase, fit nicely in a Christmas stocking, and will be a great gift of laughter.

And speaking of laughter, Brother Francis has prepared some more video:

Sister Amnesia knows when we should pray

Introducing Sister Mary Myopia

And finally, please remember that Studio 2880 is open only until 3:00 pm on Saturday, December 23, so if you want tickets for a Christmas gift, you'll have to get them quickly!

Yes, Virginia, it is a musical!

2006-11-27T21:29:00.000-08:00

Greetings, all!

Reverend Mother wanted to remind everyone that Nunsense 2 is a musical, and a fun one at that!

It seems that audiences who saw our first fundraising performance were laughing so hard they forgot how much terrific music and singing there is.

So, just to help you remember, here is another clip from last year's show:

"Nunsense is Habit Forming"

Win tickets to Nunsense 2: The Second Coming...

2006-11-09T21:12:00.001-08:00

Enter the FREE DRAW to win one of five prizes of a pair of tickets to the opening performance of Nunsense 2: The Second Coming on Tuesday, January 9th, 8:00 pm at the Prince George Playhouse.

Entering is easy: simply click the enter now graphic below to send an e-mail entry. Please only enter once per e-mail address and read the contest rules below that you are agreeing to by entering the contest.

A random drawing will take place on Friday, January 5th, 2007 at 5:00 pm. Winners will be notified by telephone, if possible, so please add your name and phone number to your e-mail entry.

(If the above link doesn't work for you, just enter by sending an e-mail to nunsense2@gmail.com)

Contest Rules
Participants in the contest agree to receive periodic e-mail from the producers regarding news and updates of Nunsense 2: The Second Coming..., including more great, hilarious video. Participants can unsubscribe from the updates, but then are not eligible to win. The contest e-mail account, nunsense2@gmail.com will be suspended following the successful completion of the contest. No purchase required. Contest is open to all residents of Prince George, BC, and area who have reached the age of 13 years. One entry per e-mail address permitted. No cash value. Prize must be accepted as offered. A random drawing will take place on Friday, January 5th, 2007 at 5:00 pm from all entries submitted. Prize eligibility subject to verification. Winners agree to have their name and photo published. All prize awards are final.

Good Luck!

Reverend Mother gets high!

2006-11-09T18:07:00.000-08:00

Hi, Brother Francis here.

I was cleaning out the back closet at the school and happened to stumble upon a video I shot during the special fund raising show the sisters put on last year.

Brother Ivan and I thought we should share some of it with you, so I asked one of our alter boys to put it on one of those internets. He said we should use something called “boob tube,” which I thought meant television, but apparently means my hearing is going.

Well, anyway, here’s the clip. I hope you laugh as hard at Reverend Mother as all of us here did.

(ps - if you want to share this with the rest of the congregation, just click on the little envelope below the posted info.)

The Nuns are back with more zany, madcap antics!

2006-11-08T14:30:00.000-08:00

Giving the gift of laughter this Christmas is easy with tickets to Judy Russell’s newest effort “Nunsense 2: The Second Coming,” another witty, irreverent musical comedy featuring Prince George’s favourite nuns. The madcap review-type show hits the Prince George Playhouse for eleven shows: Tuesday, January 9 – Sunday January 14 and Tuesday January 16 to Saturday January 20. All shows start at 8:00 pm, except for the Sunday, January 14 show, which is a 2:00 pm matinee.

“Nunsense 2” follows up on the zany and upbeat “Nunsense” which was a big hit with Prince George audiences last year. Like the original, “Nunsense 2” takes place in the “gymnatorium” of Mt. Saint Hellen’s School and features the same group of nuns, six weeks later, now bitten by the theatre bug and ready to put on a “Thank-You Program” for all the people who supported them in their first benefit. For all those patrons who didn’t attend the first benefit, Sister Hubert has written a “high speed” synopsis for the Sisters to act out, immediately bringing everyone up-to-date. Original Nunsense fans will be greeting old friends, while first-timers at Nunsense 2 will be completely at home with new friends.

“This show is light and fun, and a great time for people of all ages,” said Judy Russell. “We had such a great time and such a great response with Nunsense last year that we just had to produce the follow-up show.”

Returing to the convent for this show are original cast members Judy Wiebe, Catherine Hansen-McCarthy, Robin Norman, Sandra Clermont and Kelsey Wheatley. Veterans of the local stage, each is known for their stunning work from shows such as Hello, Dolly!, Annie, Gypsy, Chicago, Cabaret, Peter Pan, Jesus Christ Superstar and others. Leading the six-piece orchestra will be Val Stanley, with set, lighting and sound design by the versatile Bill Russell.

Tickets for “Nunsense 2: The Second Coming” are available starting Thursday, November 9 at Studio 2880, and are just $23 for seniors and students, and $26 for adults. Call 563-2880 to reserve your tickets today!

Studio 2880
Judy Russell's Enchaînement Dance Centre

History of the Little Sisters of Hoboken

2006-11-08T14:25:00.000-08:00

The Order of the Little Sisters of Hoboken was founded in the seventh centruy by Saint Wilfred, a bishop of England. He established the first convent and school known as the Wilfred Academy. His motto was "We don't teach beauty — we radiate it!"

Many years later a small group of pioneering sisters set out for America to establish a motherhouse in Cleveland. But they got off the plane in newark by mistake.

The order was "found" by the Newark Airport Police, and the new motherhouse was estblished in Hoboken, New Jersey. It was at that them that the Order of St. Wilfred elected to change the name to the Little Sisters of Hoboken, and they have been affectionately known as the "Little Hobos" ever since.

It was from thins convent that Sister Mary Regina, Sister Mary Hubert and Sister Robert Ann set sail for the Mediterranean to establish their leper colony.

Today the order has both nuns and brothers as members — all doing various good works in the Diocese of Newark. They also operate Mount Saint Helen's School in Hoboken.