BWW Reviews: Texas Repertory Theatre's NUNSENSE is Heartwarmingly Hilarious

NUNSENSE is an international phenomenon and beloved favorite of community and regional theatres. The musical, which first premiered in 1985, has enjoyed over 8,000 productions worldwide and has been translated into over 20 languages. This summer Texas Repertory Theatre Compnay is producing the classic and clever musical. Their spin on the material leaves audiences rolling in the aisles and clamoring for more.

The quirky little musical, with book, music, and lyrics by Dan Goggin, invites audiences to sit back and enjoy a musical revue being produced by The Little Sisters of Hoboken. Recently, many of the sisters passed away and the remaining 19 nuns are raising money to bury the last four of the deceased nuns. As a fundraiser, the five most gifted performers are presenting a show in the Mount Saint Helen's School auditorium. Naturally, hilarity ensues as the performances don't go as planned.

Direction by Dan O'Brien encouraged the cast to experiment with the humorous bits in the show. When I interviewed the cast, he explained that everything was on the table. If it worked, it stayed. Effectively, this approach created a cohesive night of masterful comedy. Every bit, from sight gag to witty pun, earns hearty guffaws and charms the audience with ease.

Choreography by Lauren Dolk showcases the skill and precision of the cast. The tap and Pointe work in the show is astounding and exhilarating because of its complexity. These moments leave the audience beaming with sincere awe. Likewise, the Modern Jazz/Broadway hoofing is incredibly crafted and organically fits the music and enchants the audience too.

Music Direction by Debbie Wylie presents flawlessly sung and played notes that are clean and crisp from the beginning of the overture to the final note of the band's rousing playout. The band performs each number at a comfortable tempo, and each actress displays incredible vocal abilities throughout the entire production. Whether gorgeously harmonizing with each other or astonishing with powerhouse solos, there is no denying that every actress in the show is gifted with powerful Broadway-ready pipes.

Patti Rabaza, as the sometimes-bossy Mother Superior, is hysterical. She tries to keep everything together and moving in the right direction. As the reigns slip out of her hands, the pressures of show business wear her down a little bit. Patti Rabaza sells numbers like "Turn Up the Spotlight" and "Just a Coupl'a Sisters" to the rafters, filling every moment she is on stage with impressive razz-ma-tazz.

Sister Hubert is given a gloriously gospel edge by Lori Callaway. Hubert is a riotously witty jokester in her hands. Lori Callaway's powerhouse vocals on "Holier Than Thou" enthrall, amaze, and superbly delight. She also brings vivacious charm to her numbers like "The Biggest Ain't the Best," "Tackle That Temptation With a Time-Step," and "Just a Coupl'a Sisters." Moreover, Lori Callaway's tap abilities on "Tackle That Temptation With a Time-Step" are flawlessly bewildering. With her skilled precision, one would never know she's only been tapping for a few weeks!

As Sister Robert Anne, Robin Van Zant is simply divine. Her character is zany and completely loveable, as she longs for just one moment in the spotlight that is about only her. Robin Van Zant's incredible belt impresses audiences on both "I Just Want to be a Star" and "Growing Up Catholic," while her vocal prowess make numbers like "Playing Second Fiddle" and "The Drive-In" highly enjoyable.

Connor Lyon's Sister Mary Leo is immaculately graceful and the least boisterous of this quintet. She blows audiences away with her striking Pointe work in "Benedicite/Morning at the Convent" and "The Dying Nun." Her vocal instrument shines with opulent radiance on numbers like "Benedictie/Morning at the Convent," "The Biggest Ain't the Best," and "The Drive-In."

Lendsey Kersey, who never misses an opportunity to elicit capricious laughter with her spot-on facial gesturing, pristinely plays the peculiar Sister Mary Amnesia. The best part of her Sister Mary Amnesia is that you never know what to expect next, as she keeps the character genuine yet uniquely comical from beginning to end. Lendsey Kersey flabbergasts the audience jumping back and forth from a glittering soprano to gravelly character voice on "So You Want to be a Nun" and touches our hearts with an exquisite, evocative, and effective rendition of "I Could've Gone to Nashville." Imbuing her character sweetness, she beguiles on numbers like "Lilacs Bring Back Memories" and "The Drive-In."

Set Design by Trey Otis is fantastic. He expertly creates a school's gymnasium/auditorium. If you've ever spent anytime in one of these combination rooms in a school building, his set will take you back to those moments. Moreover, it is magnificently decorated for the musical GREASE, which is what the 7th grade class at the fictional school are said to be presenting. His set-ups for the Malt Shop, Sandy's bedroom, and rolling bench for Greased Lightning are all wonderfully designed. In fact, it is all so well designed and made that I wouldn't blame Texas Repertory Theatre for adding in a few shows of GREASE to their schedule before this set loads out.

Light Design by Eric Marsh is dazzling and highlights the showstopping abilities of these extravagantly fun numbers. He utilizes the white wall behind the band to splash whimsical doses of fanciful color onto the already colorful Set Design. Each cue in the design masterfully enhances the joyous and glee-filled tone and mood of the production.

Costume Design by Macy Perrone is ideal. She clothes the nuns in full habits that look great. She also dresses the band in Catholic attire, making the men monks and the female at the keyboard a nun as well.

Sound Design by Steve Fenley is faultless. The cast has microphones that are impeccably mixed to ensure that each vocal is heard over the band. More importantly, when multiple characters are signing the mix guarantees that the harmonious blending of the voices is sublimely captured and presented to the audience flawlessly.

Texas Repertory Theatre Company's production NUNSENSE is sure to be "habit forming." Once you see it, you'll want to return to it again and again. The show left my face hurting from smiling and my throat dry from continuous laughing. The entire performance was heartwarmingly hilarious, leaving the entire audience singing the praises of these five fabulous sisters!

NUNSENSE runs through July 28, 2013 at Texas Repertory Theatre, 14243 Stuebner Airline Road, Houston. For more information and tickets, please visit http://www.texreptheatre.org or call (281) 583 - 7573.

All photos by Larry Lipton. Courtesy of Texas Repertory Theatre Company.

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