Review: NUNSENSE At SLO Repertory Theatre

"Nunsense," now playing at SLO Rep, delivers an evening of heavenly harmonies and gentle comedy to tempt even novice theater-goers. 

By: Sep. 22, 2023
Review: NUNSENSE At SLO Repertory Theatre
Review: NUNSENSE At SLO Repertory Theatre
Natalie Mara, Katie Worley-Beck, Rachel Tietz in Nunsense at SLO Rep Photo Credit: Ryan Loyd, RYLO Media Design

"Nunsense," now playing at SLO Rep, delivers an evening of heavenly harmonies and gentle comedy to tempt even novice theater-goers. 

Prayer candles adorn the cabaret tables of SLO Rep's lobby, casting a heavenly glow, and inviting the audience into this fun-filled production. The cast of five nuns stand nearby, clad in their habits, eagerly ushering everyone in and handing out “hymnals” (show programs). The musical’s central conceit asks that the audience participate in the illusion that we are all attending a musical revue put on by the Little Sisters of Hoboken Nunnery. The occasion is comically solemn; They need money because 52 members of their convent perished in a soup-related mass poisoning (botulism in the vichyssoise). 

Luckily, the most talented members of the order, all the “triple threats,” have been spared. We learn their stories through their virtuoso singing, dancing, and comic banter. "Nunsense" carries the flair of the time it was written, a cross between "The Golden Girlsand "A Chorus Line," adding the comic sensibility of the classic sitcom to the musical theater forms of "A Chorus Line." And if you like those shows, and I certainly do, then you’ll soak up the fun of "Nunsense." 

The direction brings out the uniqueness of each of the five nuns. Suzy Newman plays the sassy Sister Mary Hubert, a suffering second-in-command who chaffs under the authority of Mother Superior (Billy Breed). Everyone is hilarious. Katie Worle-Beck’s shifting facial expressions as the constantly adrift Sister Mary Amnesia could go on tour as their own play. 

These nuns can also dance. There’s a tightly choreographed tap dancing number that the nuns present to distract us from Mother Superior who unintentionally got very high. Sister Mary Leo (Natalie Mara) shares her dancing dream of ballet-dancing devotions on pointe. The songs are equally varied in style from Broadway sounds to Sister Amnesia’s country tune and the boogie-woogie swing of "The Drive-In," as sung by Sister Robert Anne (the charismatic Rachel Tietz) and Sister Amnesia. If you are looking for a friendly comedy, replete with catchy songs and dance, “Nunsense fits the bill! 


BroadwayWorld Awards Voting

RELATED STORIES - Santa Barbara

1
Lights Up! Theatre Company to Presents THE TEMPEST in December Photo
Lights Up! Theatre Company to Presents THE TEMPEST in December

Lights Up! Theatre Company presents Shakespeare's beloved play, The Tempest. Join Prospera and Miranda on a magical journey of love, betrayal, and forgiveness.

2
LIVE AT THE LEE! A Holiday SpecTACKular Announced At The Lee Strasberg Theatre Photo
LIVE AT THE LEE! A Holiday SpecTACKular Announced At The Lee Strasberg Theatre

Live at The Lee! is an exciting new live variety show featuring LA's most exciting artists across music, comedy, dance, cabaret, and more! Join us for the Holiday SpecTACKular at the Lee Strasberg Theatre.

3
Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards; NIGHT NIGHT, R Photo
Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards; NIGHT NIGHT, ROGER ROGER Leads Best Play!

Happy Holidays! The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 27th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

4
Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards; THE ADDAMS FAM Photo
Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards; THE ADDAMS FAMILY Leads Best Musical!

The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 20th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Videos


Kennedy Space Center Show in Santa Barbara Kennedy Space Center Show
Breathing Storytellers (5/08-2/09)
Come From Away (Non-Equity) in Santa Barbara Come From Away (Non-Equity)
Performing Arts Center (5/02-5/02)
The Cher Show (Non-Equity) in Santa Barbara The Cher Show (Non-Equity)
Granada Theatre (12/06-12/07)
Mean Girls (Non-Equity) in Santa Barbara Mean Girls (Non-Equity)
Christopher Cohan Center (4/01-4/01)
Colleges Show in Santa Barbara Colleges Show
BroadwayWorld Show (8/05-8/05)
Ring Of Fire , The Music of Johnny Cash  in Santa Barbara Ring Of Fire , The Music of Johnny Cash
The New Vic (11/30-12/17)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You