All-Nunsense Theatre to Launch with 20th Anniversary Show

A San Francisco Bay Area theater company has announced that has built a new theatre to present productions of the various Nunsense musicals year-round.

The Willows Theatre Company  in Concord, CA and Dan Goggin, creator of the hit international musical comedy Nunsense franchise, have found a permanent home for "The Little Sisters of Hoboken" at the brand new Willows Cabaret at The Campbell Theatre in Martinez, CA where it will be "All-Nunsense, All-The-Time."

The inaugural production opening the new theatre venue will be the 20th anniversary revival of the original Nunsense. Directed by creator Dan Goggin with musical staging by Teri Gibson, the cast of merry sisters features Deborah Del Mastro as Sister Robert Anne, Tania Johnson as Sister Mary Leo, Alexandra Kaprielian as Sister Mary Amnesia, Alma Sayles as Sister Mary Hubert, and Amy Washburn as Sister Mary Regina.

Performances begin Wednesday, May 9th, continuing through Sunday, July 29 atthe Willows Cabaret at The Campbell Theatre (636 Ward Street, Martinez, CA). Opening Night is Saturday evening, May 12, that 8:00 p.m. The venue will also house The Nunsense Museum, which will include memorabilia representing Nunsense productions worldwide. An invitation-only Gala celebration is set for Friday evening, May 11that 8:00p.m. with special guests, and former Nunsense nuns, Georgia Engel, Betty Garrett, and Lee Meriwether.

"Nunsense is the creation of Catholic-school-educated author/composer Dan Goggin, and follows a fictitious order of merry nuns, the 'Little Sisters of Hoboken,' as they put on a fund-raising show at their school, Mt. St. Helen's (home of theVolcanoes). Nunsense first premiered in New York City at the Duplex Cabaret in 1983 where it grew into a full-fledged off-Broadway musical and moved to the Cherry Lane Theater winning four Outer Critics' Circle Awards, including 'Best off-Broadway Musical.' It later transferred to the Douglas Fairbanks Theater on 42nd Street, whereit ran for over 10 years, and has been presented all over the world in over 8,000 productions (and counting), grossing more than $500,000,000," state press notes.

"During its New York run, Nunsense became the second longest running musical in off-Broadway history, eclipsed only by legendary The Fantasticks.  Immediately following the 20th anniversary production of Nunsense, is Sister Amnesia's Country Western Nunsense Jamboree (August 15 - October14, 2007), a dose of 'Grand Ole Opry' and down-home fun filled with hysterical one-liners and infectious comic tunes. Followed by, and just in time for the holidays, Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical (October 31 - December 30,2007), an uproarious take on "The Nutcracker" Ballet, a perfect way to ensure the holiday season is merry and bright. Future productions include Nunsense 2: The Second Coming, Meshuggah Nuns, Nunsense A-Men and the newest addition to the family, Nunsensations: The Nunsense Vegas Revue. The DVD for Nunsensations: The Nunsense Vegas Revue will be released later this spring."

Photo courtesy of Willows Theatre - Nunsense cast with Dan Goggin