Nunsense comes to Tehachapi

Tehachapi Community Theatre (TCT) was looking for a musical that was fun and played to its strengths, hadn't ever been done locally, and would give director Doug Jockinsen – who is also the Executive Producer for TCT – a big project to produce. "Nunsense" fit the bill perfectly.

The musical about the lovable nuns has been a crowd-pleaser since it opened in 1985. It ran for 10 years and 3,672 performances, becoming the second-longest-running Off-Broadway show in history and an international phenomenon. And, oh yeah – five women comprise the entire cast, which means Jockinsen can stay off the stage and focus solely on directing a small group of (mostly) veteran actors. The Musical Director for this production is veteran Guy Martin.

Jenifer Thysens, the only "newcomer", is naturally playing the leader of the ensemble, Mother Superior Sister Regina. Written by Dan Goggin, "Nunsense" follows the misadventures of the five nuns as they put on a fundraiser variety show. The script is kept fresh by updating the names of the people mentioned; for example, it's now Pope Francis instead of Pope John Paul II.

Somehow, a comic number is funnier when nuns are doing the singing and dancing. "The real charm is the interaction between the nuns," Thysens says. "The musical numbers range from totally ridiculously hilarious to some that could get a tear out of you," she continues. "There are also some 'belter' songs, too. And I'm thrilled to get an opportunity to do something with these four gals who have been doing their part in the theater world for a long time."

Opal Lawler-Martin, a regular member of the TCT troupe, plays the streetwise Sister Robert Anne. The cast includes Leslie Reynolds as Sister Mary Hubert, Laura Kaminski as Sister Mary Amnesia and Sierra A. Christian as Sister Leo. Sierra also designed much of the choreography. "This is the best possible cast I could think of for this show," Jockinsen says. Both Reynolds and Lawler-Martin are the set designers and builders as well.

The show is replete with comedy, choreography and singing, Kaminski says. "There are 17 songs and everybody has their moments, but most [numbers] include all of us," she says. "There are upbeat songs and ballads and an Andrews Sisters kind of song, but all tell the story of the show."

Performances will be 7:30 p.m. on September 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, October 1, 2, and 2 p.m. Matinee Shows on September 19, 26 and October 3., at the beautiful BeeKay Theatre downtown. The BeeKay Theatre is located at 110 South Green Street, Tehachapi.

Tickets are $18 and are available now online at http://www.tctonstage.com, and at both Tehachapi Furniture and Tehachapi Treasure Trove. A limited number of tickets may be available at the BeeKay Box Office, which opens 30 minutes prior to each show. Advanced purchase is recommended.