Nunsense

Show Review

Total Nunsense

By Caroline Fontein

Audiences are in for an afternoon of laughs when The Little Sisters of Hoboken take the stage in Nunsense at LVH-Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. This wacky musical comedy is based on a group of nuns doing a benefit concert to raise money for their less fortunate sisters.

Their dire financial situation started after the convent cook accidentally poisoned 52 of their sisters, leaving the remaining nuns stuck trying to bury the evidence. They bury 48 of their sisters before their money runs out, forcing the nuns to temporarily store the remaining four sister in the convent freezer. Talk about being left out in the cold. Now the nuns are in Vegas, ready to strut their stuff in attempts to make some money and put their sisters to rest once and for all.

The show's ensemble consists of five talented singers and dancers and a live band. There are minimal props and set changes in the show, putting the spotlight on the performers and their spunky portrayal of each nun in this comical quintet. They may all be dressed the same, but their personalities are distinct, creating some humorous scenarios when all fives nuns are on stage.

Lead by Mother Superior, each nun gets a chance to perform a solo number where they sing about their experience and what led them to a life at the convent. The show's comical lyrics make everyone in the audience laugh.

When they're not singing about their frozen sisters or their longing to perform, the nuns engage in comical banter as they discuss their predicament. Written by Dan Goggin, the show is full of funny one-liners and religion-based puns. You may even say seeing Nunsense could be habit forming (cue the instant rimshot).

The original production of Nunsense opened in 1985 at an off-Broadway theater. The show ran for 10 years as the second-longest running off-Broadway show. By the time it came to a close Nunsense had become an international hit with more than 8,000 productions worldwide. The production won four Outer Critics Circle Awards including Best Musical.

With zany characters, talented performers and plenty of laughs, Nunsense will have you saying, "Amen" in no time.