NUNSENSE Opens Theatre by the Sea's 80th Anniversary Season

NUNSENSE, the award-winning and hilarious Off-Broadway hit musical comedy, plays the historic stage at Bill Hanney's Theatre by the Sea from May 29 thru June 16. Tickets are on sale now by calling (401) 782-8587, online at theatrebythesea.com, or in person at 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck, RI 02879. Press night is planned for May 31 at 8pm.

"It is an honor to have the shows original creator, Dan Goggin, directing this production of Nunsense," said TBTS owner and producer Bill Hanney. "With more than 5000 worldwide productions in 21 languages, tap and ballet dancing nuns, an audience quiz, and comic surprises, this show has become an international phenomenon. It is my pleasure to produce it for Theatre by the Sea audiences to enjoy."

With book, music and lyrics by Dan Goggin, NUNSENSE started out as a cabaret act in New York City, and spawned into an international sensation, complete with six sequels and a staggering 3,672 performances Off-Broadway (and winning four Outer Critics Circle Awards). The star-studded rosters of actresses that have played these beloved nuns include Rue McClanahan, Sally Struthers, Joanne Worley, Phyllis Diller, Cindy Williams, and Georgia Engle.

NUNSENSE follows the foibles of the five remaining Little Sisters of Hoboken, who plan a fund-raising variety show at the auditorium of the Mount Saint Helen's School in order to pay for the burial of compatriots accidentally killed by vichyssoise prepared by their late cook, Sister Julia, Child of God. The group includes Sister Mary Regina, the Mother Superior, a former circus performer; the competitive second-in-command, Sister Mary Hubert; ambitious understudy Sister Robert Anne; the determined would-be ballerina Sister Mary Leo; and the sweet but somewhat dim Sister Mary Amnesia.

The cast features five longtime veterans of various productions of NUNSENSE, including Bambi Jones (Sister Mary Hubert), Christine Mild (Sister Robert Anne), Jeanne Tinker (Sister Mary Paul aka Amnesia), Stephanie Wahl (Sister Mary Leo), and Terry Wickline (Reverend Mother Regina).

NUNSENSE runs May 29 - June 16. Performances are Tuesdays through Sundays. Show times are: Tuesday - Friday 8:00pm;Thursday 2:00pm; Saturday 4:00pm and 8:00pm; Sunday 3:00pm(first week only), 5:00pm, and 8:00pm(first week only). Tickets are $39, $49, & $59. Tickets are on sale now by calling (401) 782-8587, online at theatrebythesea.com, or in person at 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. The 2013 Season is sponsored by WJAR - NBC 10 News.

Theatre by the Sea will continue the 80th Anniversary 2013 Season with the premiere of CATS (June 19 - July 13), ANNIE (July 17 - August 10), and conclude with LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (August 14 - September 1).