Play offers cast exposure, improv
Nuns don’t typically dance. They don’t usually sing in the streets or crack jokes to their parishioners. This weekend at West Kentucky Community & Technical College, they will do just that.
“When you think ‘nuns,’ you think these serious people who don’t have a sense of humor,” said Elyse Millizer, who plays Sister Mary Hubert in WKCTC’s production of “Nunsense.”
“But these characters are in some ways real. And they all are quick-witted and have great senses of humor.”
“Nunsense” is the story of five nuns who put on a variety show to raise money for their convent in a time of need. The play was written by Dan Goggin, who lived with nuns for part of his life and modeled his characters after women he knew growing up.
“The cast really is stunning,” said Scytha Abraham, who plays Mother Mary Regina. “These characters are so unique, and everyone plays them so well. We all compliment each other.”
The nuns include Abraham’s character of Rev. Mother Mary Regina, an ex-circus performer with talent to match, along with Sister Robert Anne, a streetwise nun from Brooklyn played by Janet Bloomingburg.
Other cast members include Millizer, who plays the convent’s second in command; Grace Baldridge as Sister Mary Amnesia, who lost her memory when a cross dropped on her head; and Sydney Hughes as Sister Mary Leo, who is determined to become the first nun ballerina.
“Every nun does something different,” Millizer said. “They all have their own talent. So you end up getting to see a ton of different kinds of entertainment all in one show.”
Despite its serious subject matter, the play is mostly comedy and features an all-woman cast. Because the play has only five characters, the actresses are constantly on stage and sometimes have to use their improvisation skills, along with the talents they’ve accrued over years of acting.
“This is a dream role as an actress,” Millizer said. “It has great characters, improv, audience participation. We do just about everything.”
The production will have three shows at the Clemens Fine Arts Center this weekend. Tickets are available from the box office or at the door, as well as at artsinfocus.com.
Contact Corianne Egan, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8652.
“Every nun does something different. They all have their own talent. So you end up getting to see a ton of different kinds of entertainment all in one show.”
Elyse Millizer
‘Nunsense’ actress
“The cast really is stunning. These characters are so unique, and everyone plays them so well. We all compliment each other.”
Scytha Abraham
‘Nunsense’ actress
Want to go?
What: “Nunsense”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Clemens Fine Arts Center, WKCTC.
Tickets: $15 adults, $10 students.
More information: artsinfocus.org.
