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Singing was So Awesome

5/18/2014

 

We thoroughly enjoyed the show and the guests at our table.  We thought the singing was so awesome and professional.  

Julie

Bravo, Bravo

5/18/2014

 

To All--Bravo, Bravo---That was one fantastic and funny musical production you all put on last Sat. night of "Nunsense."  We all laughed so hard and enjoyed ourselves so much at that show. "Thank you all!" Everyone in the cast did a top-notch job. The meal was great too. They have the best Desserts. Thanks again to you all and we look forward to the next show in the Fall.  Have a great Summer.     

Sincerely,  Don & Doris

"Nunsense: The Mega Musical" by City Pulse

5/14/2014

 
CityPulse, 05-14-2014 Sisters act
By TOM HELMA

Starlight’s ‘Nunsense’ musical gets surreal The sisters in Starlight Dinner Theatre’s “Nunsense: The Mega Musical” are a far cry from the stiff-upper-lipped guardians of one’s soul in traditional depictions.

This enthusiastic ensemble has reasonably good singing voices — and in the case of Sister Robert Ann, played by Amanda Dill, serious comedic acting chops as well.

What paltry plot there is borders on bizarre: 48 of a convent’s 52 nuns die suddenly of accidental food poisoning, and four of their bodies have been frozen in the food locker until time might provide a proper burial. “Nunsense” takes the idea of strange plots for a musical to a new level of surrealism.

The play moves along briskly, through an array of musical numbers in which various sisters get to shine, singing in solos and duets. Beth Webb as Reverend Mother Mary Regina belts out a semi-drunken show-stopping number ending Act I. Jane Zussman’s loopy Sister Julia Child-of- God shtick, in which she channels the original Julia Child, got much audience applause. A quartet consisting of three brothers and a priest add a finely tuned barbershop harmony to the mix. Kudos to Marty Underhill, Charlie Martin, Dan Templin and Mike Barger for these melodic contributions.

There is audience participation here as well, with nuns interacting in character as they wandered through the spectators before the play and at intermission. This works well. Corny Catholic jokes cracked up the crowd. There are several sets of stand-up vaudevillian jokes, straight lines that invite pathetically pun-like punch lines that invite begrudging groans and the amused shaking of heads. Saturday night there was a sell-out crowd of close to 300 people, many of whom gave the performers a standing ovation.

“Nunsense” is a gentle play. It appeals to our sense of naivety and yet also reminds us that underneath the habits, nuns are real people, women who care, who give their entire lives to the service of others. It’s a nonsensical nod to nostalgia, designed not to offend but merely to amuse.  

Starlight’s ‘Nunsense’ musical gets surreal

5/14/2014

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CityPulse, 05-14-2014 » Page 17
Sisters act
By TOM HELMA

Starlight’s ‘Nunsense’ musical gets surreal
The sisters in Starlight Dinner Theatre’s “Nunsense: The Mega Musical” are a far cry from the stiff-upper-lipped guardians of one’s soul in traditional depictions.
This enthusiastic ensemble has reasonably good singing voices — and in the case of Sister Robert Ann, played by Amanda Dill, serious comedic acting chops as well.
What paltry plot there is borders on bizarre: 48 of a convent’s 52 nuns die suddenly of accidental food poisoning, and four of their bodies have been frozen in the food locker until time might provide a proper burial. “Nunsense” takes the idea of strange plots for a musical to a new level of surrealism.


“Nunsense: The Mega Musical”
Starlight Dinner Theatre 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 16-17 (6:30 p.m. dinner) Waverly East Cafetorium, 3131 W. Michigan Ave., Lansing. Show and dinner: $33/$28 seniors and students/$20 children 12 and under. Show only: $15/$10 seniors, students and children.
(Dinner reservations required 48 hours in advance.)
(517) 243-6040, starlightdinnertheatre.com


The play moves along briskly, through an array of musical numbers in which various sisters get to shine, singing in solos and duets. Beth Webb as Reverend Mother Mary Regina belts out a semi-drunken show-stopping number ending Act I. Jane Zussman’s loopy Sister Julia Child-of- God shtick, in which she channels the original Julia Child, got much audience applause. A quartet consisting of three brothers and a priest add a finely tuned barbershop harmony to the mix. Kudos to Marty Underhill, Charlie Martin, Dan Templin and Mike Barger for these melodic contributions.
There is audience participation here as well, with nuns interacting in character as they wandered through the spectators before the play and at intermission. This works well. Corny Catholic jokes cracked up the crowd. There are several sets of stand-up vaudevillian jokes, straight lines that invite pathetically pun-like punch lines that invite begrudging groans and the amused shaking of heads. Saturday night there was a sell-out crowd of close to 300 people, many of whom gave the performers a standing ovation.
“Nunsense” is a gentle play. It appeals to our sense of naivety and yet also reminds us that underneath the habits, nuns are real people, women who care, who give their entire lives to the service of others. It’s a nonsensical nod to nostalgia, designed not to offend but merely to amuse. 

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