Sandra Karas Returns to Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in NUNSENSE, 10/3-20

The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse has announced the return of Sandra Karas to The Playhouse stage in the role of Mother Superior in "Nunsense," the final production of the 2012 Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival season. Karas, who serves as secretary and treasurer of the Actors' Equity Association, most recently appeared as Fraulein Schneider in "Cabaret" at The Playhouse in August. Karas resides in New York City, but was a resident of Manlius for many years. She has been seen in numerous productions at The Playhouse including Sister Lee in "Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, Vivian in "Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping" and Tottendale in "The Drowsy Chaperone."

"'Nunsense' is the perfect production to round out the 2012 Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival," said Ed Sayles, producing director of the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival and Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. "With a funny and entertaining plot and the return of local favorite Sandra Karas, we expect this production to be a real crowd pleaser. It's also the final time we'll produce 'Nunsense' on the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse stage."

The "Nunsense" cast also features local professional actors including Maureen Quigley who was raised in Skaneateles, now resides in Syracuse and is playing the role of Sister Mary Amnesia. Another favorite Agnes Humphrey, of Syracuse, plays Sister Hubert. Both women have portrayed these roles three times in previous Playhouse productions. Katie Quigley, a recent graduate of SUNY Cortland and resident of Long Island, is also understudying the roles of Sister Amnesia and Sister Leo.

"Nunsense," a hilarious musical, follows five nuns from Hoboken, N.J., who are trying to save their convent from closing by putting on a side-splitting talent show. The production opens at The Playhouse Oct. 3 and runs through Oct. 20. "Nunsense" is the final production of the 2012 Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival season.

Tickets are now available. General admission tickets are $40-$48. Discounts are available for seniors (62+), students (w/ID) and youth (under 18). Group rates are available for parties of 15 or more. For tickets or information about next season, contact the Box Office at 315-255-1785 or toll free at 1-800-457-8897 or visit www.MGRPlayhouse.com or www.FingerLakesMTF.com.

Performances are Monday through Saturday evenings with select matinees. Curtain times are Monday-Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; and matinees at 2 p.m.

Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival, produced by the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Auburn, N.Y., is a new annual summer-long festival featuring nine professional musical productions along with 20 new musicals, presented in their earliest stages of development, in a series known as "The PiTCH." The festival offers productions at three different venues just minutes away from each other. As the festival continues to grow in the upcoming years, organizers anticipate the festival to annually draw 150,000 attendees, generate a $30 million boost to the local economy and help create 400 new jobs. For more information on the festival or to purchase tickets, visit www.FingerLakesMTF.com.