Above: Actors Cabaret of Eugene performs Nunsense, Jan. 24 to Feb. 9
By Randi Bjornstad
As the folks at Actors Cabaret of Eugene explain it, just the thought of the dark and gloom of this time of year is what made them look for something lighter and brighter to put on stage in the depth of winter, and the best thing they could think of is the nonsense of Nunsense.
It’s a light-hearted musical with a completely improbably plot: Sister Julia, a nun with the Little Sisters of Hoboken, accidentally poisons a pot of vichyssoise that results in the despatching of 52 of the order’s nuns.
What to do to raise money for the burials? Put on a variety show, of course, on a stage already set for an eighth-grade production of Grease.
Fortunately, the nuns in their former lives had talents that could be put to good use in this unfortunate situation. The Rev. Mother Regina had been a circus performer. Another nun was a streetwise Brooklynite, while a third always had wanted to be a ballerina. Everybody had a talent, even Sister Mary Amnesia, who couldn’t remember a thing ever since a crucifix fell on her head.
Ashley Apelzin directs the cast, which includes Erica Jean, Kathy Bowman, Sue Schroeder-White, Katie Hammond, and Tessa Douangaphaivong.
Nunsense
When: Shows at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 31, Feb. 1, 6-8, and 13-15; and 2 p.m. on Feb. 2 and 9; meals purchased with tickets begin 90 minutes before showtimes
Where: Actors Cabaret of Eguene, 996 Willamette St., Eugene
Tickets: Show only $16-$28; show and meal $38.95 to $51.95, available at the ticket office, 541-683-4368, or online at actorscabaret.org
