Beat Breakdown

Key to understanding this breakdown...
Line 1 begins with the beat or scene number, followed by what I have entitled the beat, and lastly there are the page(s) you can find the text on. Line 2 lists the characters with the major dialogue in the scene (other characters may be on stage and can be plugged in during works) and those needed for blocking. The third line is the first sentence that begins the beat... and then the second half is the end of the last sentence in the beat. The best thing to do is cut and paste this on a blank page, and then print it out. Go through your script and write in these beats so you can ask me any questions you have asap.

ACT I

1a: Introductions 13-14
All
(Ladies and Gentleman... Our archery instructor.)

1b: Grease Is The Word 15
All
(Good evening, friends... Sister if you will.)

1c: Veni Creator Spiritus/Nunsense 15-18
All
(SONG)

2a: Julia, Bingo, And Drag Queens... Oh My!!! 18-19
RM, H
(Oh, thank you... Next song is all about.)

2b: A Difficult Transition 19-24
All
(You see, we started... SONG)

3a: Quiz Time 24-25
RM, H, A
(Sister Amnesia, Sister Amnesia... Gentle, but firm.)

3b: Gentle But Firm 25-26
A
(Gentle, but firm... me to push'em off.)

3c: Falling To Pieces 26-27
A
(Okay, question number two... all the Sisters were buried?)

3d: Benedicite 27-28
RM, L
(Well, I think that's about enough... SONG)

4a: Famous Ballerina 28-29
H, L
(Sister Mary Leo that was just... become a famous ballerina.)

4b: Biggest Ain't The Best 29-32
H, L
(Sister Leo!... SONG)

5a: The Cockroach 32-33
RM, RA
(Well, that was just dandy... not a musical comedy star!)

5b: Playing Second Fiddle 33-35
RM, RA
(I realized that from...SONG)

5c: NO!! 35
RM, RA, A
(Reverend Mother, I'm Ready... NO!!)

5d: Second Fiddle Conclusion 35
RA
(SONG)

6a: Duck, Duck, Goose 36
RM, A
(You know in some ways... Eye on her, Hubert.)

6b: So You Want To Be A Nun 36-39
A
(Hello. My name is... SONG)

6c: Nuns On The Run 39-40
RM, H, RA, L
(Why didn't someone... generosity this evening.)

7a: One Last Hope 40-41
RM, H, RA, L
(Really... SONG)

7b: Healthy? 41
All
(Reverend Mother we don't have a boat... see if anything's happened.)

7c: Sha, Na, Na 41-42
RA, H, RA, L
(This is just awful... Stop it!)

7d: Message At The Tone 42
All
Reverend Mother, Reverend Mother... see if she is alright.)

8a: The Rev Speaks 43
RM
(I tell ya... I gotta tell ya something-)

8b: Turn Up The Spotlight 44-45
RM
(SONG)

9a: Mae West 45
RM, H, A
(Well, you're turning out... Not quite, dear.)

9b: Lilacs Bring Back Memories 45-47
RM, H, A, L
(Lilacs... SONG)
10a: The Witching Hour 47-48
All
(I'll get you my pretty... I'm melting)

10b: RUSH 48-50
RM
(If only she could... I've fallen and I can't get up!)

11a: Turn Off That Spotlight 50-51
All
(SONG)

11b: Tackle That Temptation 52-53
All
(SONG)

ACT II

12a: Joking Around 55-56
H, RA, A, L
(Sister Hubert, may I tell... No Problem!)

12b: The Veil 56-57
RA
(Are you sure... Such a strange flower!)

12c: Deplora... The Explora 57
RA
(Let's not mention... It was a long time ago.)

12d: Growing Up Catholic 58-59
H, RA, A, L
(SONG)

13a: Guidance Counseling 59
All
(This is a catastrophe... Take a look!)

13b: We've Got To Clean Out The Freezer 59-61
H, RA, A, L
(SONG)

14a: Euthanasia Is Easy 61-62
All
(I'll get it I'm...a single penguin joke!)

14b: Just A Coupl'a Sisters 62-65
RM, H
(SONG)

15a: Soup's On- The Dying Nun 65-66
RM, RA, L
(And now ladies and gentleman-... DANCE)

15b: Storma Norma 66
RM, H, RA, L
(Sister!!... Now she's corrupting the novices.)

15c: Baking With The BVM 66-67
RM, H, A
(Oh, she's not that bad... She can do it in italian, too.)

16a: How To Fix A Crucifix 67-68
RM, H, A
(Well, now folks... Brownies REAL HOT!)


16b: Joan's Rib Shack 69-70
All
(It's a misprint... some extra money.)

16c: Sing Out Louise 70-71
All
(I could do my tongue... Let me count the ways.)

17a: I just Wanna Be A Star 71-73
RA
(SONG)

18a: Oh Hail... Mary 73
RM, RA
(You're no help at all... I'm watching you!)

18b: The Drive-In 73-75
RA, A, L
(SONG)

18c: Let's Go To The Movies 75-76
All
(FILM... Could ya die!)

19a: Only The Lonely 76-77
A
(I don't think this was supposed... It's about me.)

19b: Could've Gone To Nashville 77-79
A
(SONG)

19c: Light The Corners Of My Mind 79
All
(Come out here, everybody... isn't it, Hubert?)

20a: Fransican Free 79-80
All
(You know, I remember... We're rich!)

20b: Gloria! 80-81
All
(Gloria in Excelsis deo... first "nun ballerina!")

21a: Final Remarks 81
RM, H
(Of course, dear... What?)

21b: Holier Than Thou 81-85
All
(SONG)

22a: Nunsense Reprise 85-86
All
(SONG)

FINALLY!! The Schedule...

Sorry this took so long! I have had to confirm a few dates from people, divide the show into beats, and reference it all with the cast's conflicts... so here it is finally. I have tried to accomadate everyone... if you have an issue let me know asap. We only have like 31 rehearsals to do everything in... so we are going to have to make the most of each rehearsal and BE ON THE BALL!! I am so not worried about that with this cast. Please NOTE that there are a few changes in the following weeks from what I gave you the other night. Also, the Set Directors have decided not to have the cast help with the set until the time comes for painting (THEY ARE AWESOME!!). We will let you know that day(s) later in the show.

Here is the KEY to understanding this Schedule. The first line is obvious time and general idea of what is to be done in rehearsal, italics are the conflicts given to me by the cast, bold is who is called to the rehearsal (RM: Reverend Mother, H: Hubert, RA: Robert Anne, A: Amnesia, L: Leo, RAU: Robert Anne's Understudy, LU: Leo's Understudy), followed by a specific order of the rehearsal. If you have any questions ask me. When it comes to staging, etc... here is how I define the rehearsals. Blocking is exactly what it says... we give the general blocking of the scene, works is when we work on specifics (characterization, relationships, etc.) and run is putting it all together. I have divided the show up into BEATS... which will be given in another posting so that you can understand how I have divided up all the scenes and rehearsals for the scenes.

*Note Subject to Change... will let you know via Maria as soon as I know so you can have plenty of notice*


October

10/13: Music 7-9:30
No Renee or Anne, Neo Late
H, A, L, RAU, LU
Could've Gone to Nashville-All
Growing Up Catholic Backup- All
Biggest Ain't The Best- L, H, LU
So You Want to Be A Nun- A

10/15: Dance 1-5
No Renee, Anne, or Sims
H, A, LU, RAU
Tackle That Temptation

10/17: Music 7-9:45
ALL
Nunsense Is Habit Forming and Reprise- All
Difficult Transition- All
Growing Up Catholic- All
One Last Hope- RM, H, RA, L, RAU, LU
Second Fiddle- RA, RAU
Wanna Be A Star- RA, RAU

10/19: Dance 7-9:30 (In Atlanta)
L, LU
Benedicite- L, LU
The Dying Nun- L, LU

10/19: Blocking 7-9:30
A
Block 3b-3c, 19a
Could've Gone To Nashville- A
So You Want To Be A Nun- A

10/20: Music 7-9:30
All
Drive-In- RA, A, L, RAU, LU
Lilacs- RM, H, A, L, LU
Coupl'a Sisters- RM, H
Turn Up That Spotlight- RM

10/22: Dance 2-6
No Sims
ALL
Nunsense is Habit Forming and Reprise- All

10/24: Music 7-9:30
No Sims
RM, H, RA, A, RAU, LU
Holier Than Thou- All
Review All Music

10/26: Dance 7-9:30 (LOCATION TBA)
RA, A, L, RAU, LU
Drive-In- RA, A, L, RAU, LU

10/26: Blocking and Dance 7-9:30
Anne Late
RM, H
Coupl'a Sisters- RM, H
Block 1a-1b, 2a- RM, H
Block 8a, 10b- RM

10/27: Dance 7-9:30
ALL
Difficult Transition- All

10/28: Blocking and Works 7-9:30
All
Works 1a-3c- All
Blocking 4a

10/29: Dance 10-3
Neo Late
ALL
10-12 Cleanout The Freezer- H, RA, A, L, RAL, LU
1-3 Holier Than Thou- ALL

November

11/2: Music 7-9:30
Anne Late
ALL
Review All Music

11/3: Dance 7-9:30
Anne Late
RM, H, L, LU
7-8:30 Biggest Ain't The Best- H, L, LU
8:30-9:30 Turn Up The Spotlight- RM

11/4: Blocking 7-10
ALL
9a-10a, 13a, 14a, 15a-16c, 19c-21a

11/6: Pictures For Slide Show 2-6
ALL
More Information To Come

11/7: Blocking and Dance 7-9:30
Anne Late
RM, H, RA, L, RAU, LU
One Last Hope- RM, RA, L, RAU, LU
Block 6c, 7c

11/9: Dance 7-9:30
ALL
Colleen Cleans All Her Numbers

11/10: Blocking 7-9:30
ALL
5a-6a, 7b, 7d, 12a-12d, 17a, 18a

11/12: Works 10-3
No Anne
ALL
10-11 Hubert
11-12 Amnesia
1-2 Robert Anne And Robert Anne Understudy
2-3 Leo And Leo Understudy

11/13: Works 2-5
No Anne
ALL
Details TBA

11/16: Works 7-9:30
ALL
Works ACT I

11/17: Works 7-9:30
Anne Late
ALL
Works ACT II

11/18: Works 7-10
ALL
Works Both ACTS- Lines Memorized

11/20: Run 5-9:00
ALL
Run Show For First Time

11/21: Clean 7-9:30
ALL

11/22: Run 7-9:30
ALL

11/26: Run and Clean 12-6
ALL

11/27: Run and Clean (Tech In) 3-10ish
ALL
3-6:30Tech In
6:30-7:30 Food
7:30-8 Costumes
8 Run Show

11/28: Run 6:45- 10ish
Anne Late
ALL
6:45 Call
8 Run Show

11/29: Run 6:45-10ish
Anne Late
ALL
6:45 Call
8 Run Show

11/30: Run (Preview) 6:45-10ish
ALL
6:45 Call
8 Run Show

December

12/1: Performance 6:45 Call 8 Show
12/2: Performance 6:45 Call 8 Show
12/3: Performance 6:45 Call 8 Show
12/4: Performance? TBA

12/8: Performance 6:45 Call 8 Show
12/9: Performance 6:45 Call 8 Show
12/10: Performance 6:45 Call 8 Show
12/11: Performance? TBA

Cast of Nunsense

After careful consideration and many hours of deliberation with all the production staff... here is the Nunsense cast we feel will best portray our vision. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the director, Jay Tryall, by email try_jay@hotmail.com. If you accept a role (including an understudy) please email the director and let him know you accept. Thank you all for auditioning! We had 26 very talented women, and could have cast it numerous ways... but here ya go! KEEP AUDITIONING!!!

Reverend Mother/Sr. M. Regina~ Anne Hargis
Sr. M. Hubert~ Neodesha Hendley
Sr. Robert Anne~ Renee Cannon
Sr. M. Amnesia~ Patty Maguire
Sr. M. Leo~ Sims Banes

Stage Manager~ Maria Morales
Understudy for Sr. M. Leo~ Amber Harris
Understudy for Sr. Robert Anne~ Joy Neville

Sister Mary Regina

The beloved Mother Superior of the Little Sisters of Hoboken, is originally from a small county in Ireland called Kilquirky. She headed the pioneering group of religious who established the leper colony in the Mediterranean and later returned to Hoboken as Superior General of the Order. After Nunsense, Mother Superior says she has no desire to continue in the theatre, but rumor has it that she would consider doing national commercials or a television series to raise money for the Order. Prior to taking her vows, Sister Mary Regina was ANNE HARGIS. As Anne Hargis, she had performed in such roles as Domina in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Rosamund in The Robber Bridegroom, The Cleaning Woman and The Mill Woman in Working, Josefa in A Shot in the Dark, and Clairee in Steel Magnolias. Anne also has directed such shows as On Golden Pond, Steel Magnolias, and Art Association of Newton County's very successful run of Fiddler on the Roof.

Sister Mary Hubert

Hubert entered the Little Sisters of Hoboken upon graduation from Precious Blood Elementary School. Sister currently serves the Order as Mistress of the Novices, training new recruits. Her position is not unlike drill sergeant, however, she is the first to point out that her approach is more gentle- but firm. Sister is a little "off the wall" at times but this has been attributed to the fact that she was trampled by a camel that went berserk during the annual nativity pageant held in the leper colony (she was portraying one of the three wise men at the time). Sister Mary Hubert is the former NEODESHA HENDLEY. Miss Hendley was seen in such theatre works as Man of La Mancha, Pippin, The Robber Bridegroom, Once Upon a Matress, The King and I, Chicago, Hair, South Pacific, and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Sister Robert Anne

Robert Anne was a child of a disadvantaged Harlem family. After dropping out of Verna's Cashier School, Reverend Mother took pity on the poor child RENEE CANNON and accepted her into the Little Sisters of Hoboken, where she became Sister Robert Anne. Today she is one of the most popular sisters with New Jersey kids because she speaks their language. Reverend Mother regrets the fact that a lot of this language is unprintable. Sister Robert Anne had a very checkered career prior to entering the convent, including acting stints in The Next of Kin, Sweet Charity, and Sense and Nonsense, commercials that were ran in both Michigan and Wisconsin, and a string of popular concerts. The nuns rarely discuss Renee's checkered past as radio disc jockey for WSSU (a popular Sunday Gospel Special that doubled as an R&B station).

*understudied by Joy Neville*

Sister Mary Amnesia

Amnesia is truly a lost soul. She arrived at the convent in her habit without a clue as to her identity... recalling only a crucifix fell on her head. It has been said that she resembles PATTY MAGUIRE, who learned ventriloquism when she became a Little Sister of Hoboken and previously starred in such roles as Salome in The Robber Bridegroom, Golde in Fiddler on the Roof, Patsy in Always... Patsy Cline, Aunt Marguerite in Dearly Departed, Neri in The Desert Song, Mrs. Mullin in Carousel, Ernestina Money in Hello, Dolly!, Laurey in Oklahoma!, The Witch in Into the Woods, Truvy in Steel Magnolias, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Rhetta in Pump Boys and Dinettes, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Lily in The Secret Garden, The Acid Queen in Tommy, Odette in La Cage Aux Folles, The Mistress in Passion, and Lola in Damn Yankees. Members of the Order may recall seeing her on such stages as Theatre Gael, Onstage Atlanta, Opera To Go, Drama Tech, C.A.S.T, Conyers/Rockadle Council for the Arts, The Olde Town Players, The Depot Players, Arts Association in Newton County, Atlanta Lyric Theatre, and Mac-Hayden Theatre in New York, before entering the convent (seems like enough to make anyone lose their mind).

Sister Mary Leo

Leo came to the Order from an Illinois farm. She entered the convent to dedicate her life to God through the dance. Many people think that she took her name from the famous "leotard," but that is not true. She is named after her Uncle Leo, a notorious Chicago gangster. Sister thought that by taking his name, the Lord would go easy on him (she is a novice and has much to learn). Before joining the Order, Sister was known as SIMS BANES, who tested her dancing ability by appearing in Kiss Me Kate as Lois Lane/Bianca, Oklahoma! as Ado Annie, Fiddler on the Roof as Chava, The Sound of Music as Lisel and the dance captain, Pirates of Penzance as Isabel and a featured dancer, The Fantastiks (Music Director), and The Wiz (Conductor). Prior to taking her vow of poverty, Sister supported herself by becoming involved at the College of William and Mary. There she was a musical director and arranger for Common Ground, an a cappella singing group, a member of Pointe Blank Dance Company, participating in a dance minor performance series, and finally obtaining her degree in Music Theory/Arranging and Vocal Performance with a minor in Theatre Arts. She has also toured internationally with Billy Graham International Children's Drama Ministry as a director and choreographer.

*understudied by Amber Harris*

Director's Bio

Jay Tryall was released from his vows as Brother Futon Fouette. This occured after the Bishop discovered Brother Futon had used his habit as a parachute to jump from a jetliner onto a burning building, where he single-handedly saved 300 pounds of uncut cocaine from the flames, giving rise to his favorite expression: "Come fly with me!" Since then, as Jay Tryall, he has directed Steel Magnolias, The Robber Bridegroom, A... My Name is Alice, Always... Patsy Cline, Noises Off!, Into the Woods, and Jeffery. Jay's other credits include choreographing such shows as The Music Man, Godspell, The Wiz, and Little Shop of Horrors, and stage managing Cabaret, The Exonerated, Hansel and Gretel, Fiddler on the Roof, and West Side Story. Some of Jay's favorite acting roles have been Cain/Jaipeth in Children of Eden, Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha, C.C. Showers in The Diviners, Gaston in Picasso and the Lapin Agile, Harry the Horse in Guys and Dolls, Mr. Bumble in Oliver!, Ken in Rumors, Teddy in Arsenic and Old Lace, Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors, and various other roles in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Dearly Departed, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Godspell, Damn Yankees, Crazy for You, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Since release from his stint in rehab, many from the Order have seen Jay working with such theatres as Conyers/Rockdale Council for the Arts, The Olde Town Players, The Depot Players, Onstage Atlanta, Jack in the Black Box Theatre, Out of Hand Theatre, Neighborhood Playhouse, UGA's Red and Black Theatre, Town and Gown Theatre, Arts Association in Newton County, The New Depot Players, The Little Rome Theatre, Berry College Theatre, and Salem, Oregon's Pinnacle Theatre. Jay has also done improv theatre throughout Athens and Atlanta, Georgia and Portland, Oregon.

Veni Creator Spiritus

Veni Creator
Veni Creator Spiritus, Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, come.
Mentes tuorum visita, From thy bright heavenly throne!
Imple superna gratia, Come, take possession of our souls,
Quae tu creasti, pectora. And make them all Thine Own!


Qui diceris Paraclitus, Thou who art called the Paraclete,
Altissimi donum Dei, Best gift of God above,
Fons vivus, ignis, caritas, The Living Spring, The Living Fire,
Et spiritalis unctio. Sweet Unction, and True Love!


Tu septiformis munere, Thou who are sevenfold in Thy grace,
Digitus Paternae dexterae, Finger of God's right hand,
Tu rite promissum Patris, His Promise, teaching little ones
Sermone ditans guttura. To speak and understand!


Accende lumen sensibus, O guide our minds with thy blest light,
Infunde amorem cordibus, With love our hearts inflame,
Infirma nostri corpis And with thy strength, which ne'er decays,
Virtute firmans perpeti. Confirm our mortal frame.


Hostem repellas longius, Far from us drive our hellish foe,
Pacemque dones protinus; True peace unto us bring,
Ductoresic te praevio, And through all perils guide us safe
Vitemus omne noxium. Beneath thy sacred wing.


Per te sciamus da Patrem Through Thee may we the Father know,
Noscamus atque Filium; Through Thee the Eternal Son,
Teque utrius que Spiritum And Thee the Spirit of them both ---
Credamus omni tempore. Thrice blessed Three in One.


Deo Patri sit gloria, Now to the Father, and the Son
Et Filio, qui a mortuis Who rose from death, be glory given,
Surrexit, ac Paraclito With Thee, O holy Comforter,
In sacculorum saecula. Henceforth by all in earth and heaven.


Amen. Amen.

Cast of Characters

Sister Mary Regina, Mother Superior- A feisty overweight Sophie Tucker-type who can't resist the spotlight.

Sister Mary Hubert, Mistress of the Novices- The second in command, she is always competing with the Mother Superior.

Sister Robert Anne- A street wise tough character from Brooklyn. A constant source of aggravation for the Mother Superior.

Sister Mary Amnesia- This nun lost her memory after a crucifix fell on her head. She is very sweet.

Sister Mary Leo- The novice, who entered the convent with the firm desire to become the first nun ballerina.

A Note from the Author

I spent a great deal of my life around nuns. And most of my experiences left wonderful memories. I wrote "Nunsense" because I wanted to share what I knew to be "the humor of the nun." Though it may be hard to believe after you read this script, each of the Little Sisters of Hoboken is based on a real-life nun.

Sister Mary Regina was to the outside world a model Mother Superior even if she was overweight. But to those who knew her, she was an outrageous, quick-witted soul who knew how to get a laugh. She tried to convince you that she was strict, but everyone knew that her "bark was worse than her bite!"

Sister Mary Hubert was a kind person who would always try to be understanding and diplomatic. She taught the Novices the ground rules, and was supposed to be dignified. But with the slightest bit of encouragement she was ready to kick up her heels.

Sister Robert Anne was a tough streetwise nun who had a heart of gold. All the kids adored her because she spoke their language. And she could hit a baseball "out of the park."

Sister Mary Amnesia was the picture of innocence. She couldn't remember her past and so she looked at each new day with a childlike joy.

Sister Mary Leo had been a professional dancer before she entered the convent and was always eager to display her talent. She was very impressionable because she was young and could easily be led astray.

In the context of Nunsense, Sr. Mary Regina (Reverend Mother), Sr. Mary Hubert and Sr. Robert Anne are the only nuns who actually worked in the Leper Colony. Sr. Mary Amnesia and Sr. Mary Leo only know of the Leper Colony through the stories told by the others. Rev. Mother and Sr. Hubert have a healthy rivalry (somewhat like Mame Dennis and Vera Charles in "Aunite Mame"). Each is always trying to outdo the other. But, Rev. Mother is always quick to remind everyone that she is the Mother Superior. Sr. Robert Anne is Rev. Mother's nemesis. She would probably be thrown out of the convent if it weren't for the fact that Rev. Mother really knows that Sr. Robert Anne is, underneath it all, a very dedicated nun. Everyone likes Sr. Mary Amnesia because she is so innocent. Except for her first entrance when she appears a bit shy, she is unafraid. When she realizes that the audience is friendly nothing can dampen her childlike enthusiasm. Sr. Mary Leo is frustrated by Rev. Mother in her attempt to shine as a nun-ballerina. For this reason she is easily led astray by her "buddy" Sr. Robert Anne.

Before the performance and during intermission the sisters wander through the auditorium, on the stage, etc., as they please. For, after all, they are in their own school. They are very much "at home". As the performance progresses they become equally "at home" in the spotlight!

The script indicates that the sisters are performing on the set of the "8th grade production of Grease," and they are accompanied by a band. However, it should be noted, that the sisters could just as easily present their "benefit" in a church basement with an old upright piano and no set at all. "Nunsense" is a musical comedy for everyone-everywhere!

Synopsis from the Official Nunsense Website

The Little Sisters of Hoboken operate Mount Saint Helen's School in Hoboken, New Jersey. Originally founded as a missionary order, they started out running a leper colony on an island south of France. Forced to leave the island when they lost control to a group of Protestant competitors, they returned to Hoboken. They went unnoticed until one day their cook, Sister Julia -- Child of God, unwittingly served some tainted vichyssoise soup and 52 sisters died of botulism. Fortunately a few of the sisters were off playing bingo with some Maryknolls and were spared. Upon discovering the disaster, Mother Superior had a vision -- it was either Saint Catherine of Siena or Saint Thomas Aquinas in drag (she's not sure) -- in which she was told to start a greeting card company to raise funds for the burial of the 52. The greeting cards were an enormous success and thinking there was plenty of money, Reverend Mother bought a VCR for the convent. When she realized there was only enough money left to bury 48, she decided to stage a talent show to raise the money to bury the last four sisters who were put on ice in the convent deep freeze.

The program begins with a prayer (an opening song), followed by a brief history describing their difficult transition from the leper colony to Hoboken. Sister Mary Leo then describes a typical morning at the convent after which she is admonished by Sister Mary Hubert, the Mistress of Novices, to be humble. Reverend Mother is confronted by Sister Robert Anne with the fact that she is unhappy Playing Second Fiddle as the understudy and wants a solo of her own. Reverend Mother insists that her decisions are final and brings out Sister Mary Amnesia to tell the audience what it's like to be a nun. To everyone's surprise, Sister Amnesia has brought her puppet, Sister Mary Annette to help out. Reverend Mother is shocked at their behavior and asks that the spotlight be turned up as she takes center stage herself. Unexpectedly, flowers arrive from the Ladies' Alter Society. The fragrance of the lilacs brings back memories and Sister Leo has an idea that this could help sister Amnesia. When it doesn't work, Sister Mary Hubert leads everyone in a rousing tap number. Reverend Mother gets a little carried away and they decide to take a break. Reverend Mother and Sister Hubert perform Just a Coupl'a Sisters. Finally Reverend Mother allows Sister Robert Anne to sing a solo explaining that she just wants to be a star. This is followed by The Drive-in, sung by the Saint Andrew's Sisters of Hoboken. Sister Amnesia is then left alone on stage to tell a story. When she is telling the audience that she could've gone to Nashville and become a country singer she suddenly remembers who she is -- Sister Mary Paul! Reverend Mother recalls that Sister Mary Paul was the name of the nun who won the Publishers' Clearing House Sweepstakes and no one could ever find her. There is much joy as the sisters realize they have all the money they need. Sister Hubert gives some last minute advice on becoming a saint. And then the finale is sung leaving no doubt that everyone will live happily ever after!

Production Staff to Date

Director: Jay Tryall
Musical Director: Joy Neville
Choreographers: Colleen Hargis Gainsley and Jay Tryall
Production Stage Manager:
Pianist: Chuck Bradley
Percussion:
Set Designers: Cyndi Evans and Jay Tryall
Set Directors: Cyndi Evans and Rick Bryant
Lighting Director: Harold Foreman
Sound Design: Trini Otero
Costuming: Lori Brennan
Props:
Light Board Operator: Rick Bryant
Spotlight Operator: Victoria Sheppard
Vocal Coaching: Riccardo Chiappetta and Mary Lynn Luke
Set Construction:
Run Crew:
Publicity: Conyers/Rockdale Council for the Arts
Programming: Karen Winstead
Ushers:
Box Office:

A Bit of Background Information

The Order of the Little Sisters of Hoboken was founded in the seventh century by Saint Wilfred, a bishop of England. He established the first convent and school known as the Wilfrid Acadeny. His motto was "We don't teach beauty- we radiate it!." Many years later a small group of pioneering sisters set out for America to establish a motherhouse in Cleveland, but they got off the plane in Newark by mistake. The order was "found" by the Newark Airport Police and the new motherhouse was established in Hoboken, New Jersey. It was at that time that the Order of St. Wilfred elected to change the name to the Little Sisters of Hoboken and they have been affectionately known as the "Little Hobos" ever since. It was from this convent that Sister Mary Regina, Sister Mary Hubert, and Sister Robert Anne, set sail for the Mediterranean to establish their leper colony. Today the order has both nuns and brothers as members- all doing various good works in the Diocese of Newark. They also operate Mount Saint Helen's School in Hoboken.