NUNSENSE Rings in the New Year at Hedgerow

Equity actress and Hedgerow veteran Micki Sharpe leads the hilarious and gifted cast in Nunsense at Hedgerow Theatre, Dec. 30-Jan. 17, portraying the Little Sisters of Hoboken as they roll in the New Year with Hedgerow's most popular 2009 musical featuring five whacky nuns raising much needed cash. That's when the fun begins.

From start to finish the tiny gristmill theatre rocks with music, bounces with dance and abounds in heartwarming comic turns. The intimacy and rustic charm of the building and surroundings provide the perfect arena for this "habit-forming" show, while the company, known for its ensemble playing, creates a family of nuns, each particular in their brilliance and warmth.

National Theatre artist and Hedgerow company member, Ms. Sharpe, played the young novice in the original Philadelphia Society Hill Playhouse production of Nunsense. Now 25 years later with over 1,500 performances under her veil (including two sequels and a tour with Edie Adams at the Valley Forge and Westbury Music Fairs) she is the perfectly suited as the Mother Superior and the seasoned director piloting this production.

Joining her are ensemble members veteran Susan Wefel, Sarah Gafgen and Maggie Cogswell and guest artist Heidi Starr, known for her Opera Night performances at Media's Fellini's Café. Ms. Cogswell, recently seen in City Theater's production of Sweeney Todd and Ms. Gafgen, who recently starred as Annie in Annie Get Your Gun at the Broadway Theatre of Pittman join Ms. Sharpe. Both Cogswell and Gafgen started their professional careers at Hedgerow.

Producing Artistic Director Penelope Reed is ecstatic: "In these times when everyone is searching for funds, this play gives the audiences a breather from their issues and the cast, so believable, brings dimension and humanity to this simple, fun play, adding more laughs and more shared joy. America's first Repertory Theatre has a legacy of doing the plays the company likes and repeating the plays the audience likes. We thrilled to roll in the New Year with this very funny musical."

Nunsense returns Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 1 p.m.; performs a special New Year's Eve Show Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. and continues Saturday, Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 3 at 2 p.m. There are also 1 p.m. Wednesday matinees (which include complimentary tea party intermissions) Jan. 6 and 13. Additional shows are 7:30 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 7-16 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, Jan. 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 on Wednesdays; $25 for all other performances; with $3 discounts for seniors and $10 for age 18 and under. Tickets for the New Year's Eve performance Dec. 31 are $30 with $3 discounts for seniors and includes a champagne intermission.

For reservations or more information, call 610-565-4211 or visit hedgerowtheatre.org. Hedgerow Theatre is at 64 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, Pa.