Nunsense garnered nominations for:

• Best Director for Susan Derosa
  
• Best Musical Direction for James Geer 
  
• Best Choreography for Fran Norton
  

Nunsense audience attendance numbers were the all-time high since Starlight opened, playing to a total of 968 people in 4 performances.

Jane Zussman received a Best Character Actress award for her performance of two characters in the world premiere of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” – the hot-to-trot paramedic in the New York scene and the over-worked, elderly, sousaphone carrying waitress in the London scene. 

Director Linda Granger was recognized with a Best Set Dressing Award for Butterflies Are Free.

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

Julie

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

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.  

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. 

Last evening our group of 11 Wild & Crazy Red Hat Ladies attended "Butterflies are Free."  We want you to know that, though we have always thought the plays were outstanding and the meals wonderful, we found our experience on Saturday, March 15 EXCEPTIONAL ~ play AND dinner.  We could not believe the amount of dialog those two young people memorized.  Wow!!  The play was GREAT fun and the meal was absolutely outstanding.  That beef was awesome and thanks for the sour cream.  We are all excited for the May 10th performance of "Nunsense."  It will be fun to attend with a room full of red hatters. 

Thanks again, Marlene 

Wow!  You, your cast and crew, outdid yourselves this time! From appetizers to curtain call, it was GREAT! Thanks for your great efforts and continued entertainment.  Can hardly wait till the May show! 

CityPulse, 03-12-2014 ‘Butterflies’ affects
By PAUL WOZNIAK

Timeless themes keep period piece fresh with Starlight romance

When community theaters stage 40-yearold plays, the results can be as stale as a forgotten bag of chips. But Starlight Dinner Theatre’s production of “Butterflies Are Free” feels fresh, lively and contemporary. Unlike Starlight’s standard lineup of broad farces, this polished revival of Leonard Gershe’s 1969 script draws its abundant laughs from the intimate pain of reality. Jeffrey Kennedy plays Don Baker, a blind aspiring musician with an overprotective mother (Terry Minor). Don has recently moved out of his childhood home where he instantly clicks with his neighbor, Jill Tanner (Amelia Rogocka), recently divorced and extremely spontaneous. After Jill and Don’s encounter turns romantic, Don must navigate around unrealistic expectations and heartbreak.

Gershe’s script spends considerable time poking holes into the stereotypes and misconceptions of blindness. Jill has never met a blind person before Don, and remarks he seems “so adjusted.”

“As long as you don’t move anything, I’m as good as anyone else,” Don retorts.

The marvel of their banter is its universality. As Don’s character frequently reminds Jill, and later his mother, his lack of vision does not make him an alien — just a normal person without sight.

As a sighted actor, Kennedy is especially convincing in his role. There’s no need for indoor sunglasses or trademark gestures; Kennedy simply plays Don as a nice, tidy guy with a searing sense of humor. Similarly, Rogocka avoids any ridiculous accents or attempts to “play a hippie” in 1969; she brings Jill to life by simply embracing the world of an impulsive, sheltered 19-yearold. Their combined chemistry simmers beautifully throughout.

Minor does excellent work as Mrs. Baker, laying down blistering commentaries on Don’s apartment and lifestyle. (“Perhaps it’s a blessing you can’t see what you’re living in,” she sneers.) In Act II, Minor gently transitions from a rude and judgmental disciplinarian to a mother who cares deeply for her only child. Finally, Adam Pruden kills in his walk-on role. As Jill’s latest lover Ralph Austin, Pruden exudes conceited cockiness with swagger and a checkered suit. It’s a small role, however Pruden leaves a big impression.

Considerable credit should clearly go to director Linda M. Granger and assistant director Angela Dill for the strong acting, smooth scene transitions and coordination of all technical elements of the production. It is impossible, however, to overstate the value and selection of a good script. In this case, Granger and her company give “Butterflies” flight with great preparation and care.

“Butterflies are Free”

Starlight Dinner Theatre 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 14-15 (6:30 p.m. dinner) Waverly East Cafetorium, 3131 W. Michigan Ave., Lansing. Dinner reservations required 48 hours in advance. Show and dinner: $33/$28 seniors and students/$20 children 12 and under. Show only: $15/$10 seniors, students and children. (517) 243-6040, starlightdinnertheatre.com

We thought “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” was darling. The back stage crew moved around swiftly with sooooo many bodies on stage. Outstanding job of redecorating with every scene. It was a charming play. We had such nice NEW table mates.  It was their first experience and we told them you have a beautiful evening every time. Sure glad you had full houses, it must be rewarding to see your baby just get better and better each year. Have a good winter and thank you again for pleasing us with such touching and humorous productions.

Connie and Gordon