ACT presents

A Musical Comedy Book, Music and Lyrics by DAN GOGGIN

Cast

Sister Mary Regina, the Mother Superior ........ DeJuana Williamson

Sister Mary Hubert, Mistress of Novices .......... Kerry Butterfield

Sister Robert Anne ............................................. Jeni Thomas

Sister Mary Amnesia ......................................... Sarah May Shaffer

Sister Mary Leo .................................................. Faith Maddox

The action takes place in the gymnasium auditorium of Mt. Saint Helen’s Catholic School in New Jersey.

There will be a twenty minute intermission between acts.

NUNSENSE is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

Don’t miss our next exciting production. Tickets are on sale now!

ACT Presents:

Blithe Spirit

October 18, 19 and 20

Join us for an early and totally fun Halloween ghost story. Noel Coward’s delight comedy shows that it’s not always a good idea to meddle in the affairs of the supernatural. Make your reservations now by calling the theater at 785-256-2848, visiting our website at www.act-ks.org, or visiting with our staff during intermission or after the show.

STARS

Crew Director ............................................................... Bert Miller

Musical Director ................................................. James Mosher

Stage Manager .................................................... Lisa Bisel

Choreographer .................................................... Sarah May Shaffer

Lights and Sound ............................................... Noah Bisel

Spot Light ........................................................... Kelly Stites

Costume Coordinator ......................................... Lou Anne Maddox

Props ................................................................... Gayle Hassler

Graphic Designer/Program & Publicity ............ Cheryl Franklin

Orchestra Piano ................................................................... Jon Lothenore

Synthesizer ......................................................... Rob Banks

Reeds ................................................................... James Mosher

Percussion ........................................................... Michael Rice

House and Food Services Chef ..................................................................... Lisa Bisel

Cooks, Kitchen Staff, Servers & Ushers ........... ACT Board Members and volunteers

Acknowledgments ACT would like to express our appreciation to the following people who

have made special donations and loaned us not only items used on stage, but their time and energy.

The video and/or audio recording of this performance by any means whatsoever are strictly prohibited.

Dave Weyhrauch Kristi Baker Debbie Bramlage Kathy Slawson Terry Yates

Topeka Civic Theater and Academy Manning Music Auburn Community Library Grace Episcopal Cathedral

T he 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 Wilfred Academy. 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 of Hoboken.

SISTER MARY HUBERT entered the Little Sisters of Hoboken upon graduation from Most Precious Blood Elementary School. Sister currently serves the Order as Mistress of Novices, training new recruits. 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.) Sister Mary Hubert is the former KERRY BUTTERFIELD. Miss Butterfield was previously seen at ACT in one of our first productions “Play On!” in 2008. We’re glad to have her back. She also sings with the Topeka Festival Singers.

SISTER MARY 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 easier on him. She is a novice and has much to learn. Before joining the Order, Sister was known as FAITH MADDOX. Prior to taking her vow of poverty, Sister was supported by her parents as a student at Washburn Rural Middle School. She has performed the part of Molly in “Annie” and appeared in “101 Dalmations” and “Grease” at the Center for Living Arts in Rock

Island IL, and appeared in “Charlotte’s Web” at Cair Paravel and “A Christmas Carol, the Musical” at TCTA in Topeka. She enjoys riding her horse Stretch at weekly horse shows.

SISTER MARY AMNESIA is a truly lost soul. She arrived at the convent in her habit without a clue as to her identity…recalling only that a crucifix fell on her head. It has been said that she resembles SARAH MAY SHAFFER, who learned ventriloquism when she became a Little Sister of Hoboken and was last seen earlier this season in the two person musical, "I Do! I Do!" along side James Lawson. After performing in over 20 professional productions across the country in cities in New York, Texas, Virginia, and more she has

returned to theatres around Topeka over the past year at ACT, TCTA, and Helen Hocker. Sarah May said Amnesia is definitely a role off the bucket list and she's very excited for you all to "meet" her! She would also like to thank her loving fiancee, Logan Pippitt, for all his love and support through this show! Fiancee?! Does Reverend Mother know?

SISTER ROBERT ANNE was a child of a disadvantaged Brooklyn family. After dropping out of Verna’s Cashier School, Reverend Mother took pity on poor little JENI THOMAS 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 ACT’s production “Talking With.” The nuns rarely discuss Jeni’s past

on the stage in “Crazy for You” at Helen Hocker Theater and in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “Curtains,” and “Little Shop of Horrors” at TCTA in Topeka.

SISTER MARY REGINA, the beloved Mother Superior of the Little Sisters of Hoboken, is originally from a small county in Arkansas. 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 DEJUANA WILLIAMSON. She appeared in several productions at ACT including “Two by Two,” “Steel Magnolias,” and “Jerry’s Girls.” She sends a special

thanks to Bonnie, Lisa and Dellene for taking care of Morgyn during rehearsals. Hmmm, is Reverend Mother hiding something from us?

BERT MILLER (Director) was released from his vows as Brother Futon Fouette. This occurred after the Bishop discovered that Brother Futton had used his habit as a parachute to jump from a jetliner onto a burning building, where he singlehandedly saved 300 pounds of uncut cocaine from the flames, giving rise to his favorite expression: “Come fly with me!” Since then, as Bert Miller, he has served as a founding member of ACT, and has directed, designed and acted in many plays and musicals over the past number of years. This is the 23rd production he has directed for Auburn Community Theatre.

BROTHER JAMES MOSHER (Musical Director) is our convent musician. He was part of the original contingent who established the leper colony served by the Order. Brother achieved much notoriety when he published his first music book, “Two Part Inventions for the Fingerless,” which he dedicated to the lepers. Brother Jim has helped the Order enormously by taking his talent outside the convent walls. He performs with the Topeka Symphony, the Castle and Cross Consort and the Topeka Woodwind Quintet. Brother Jim also has a CD of his harp work available but has resisted donating the proceeds of sales of his CD to the Order.

SISTER LISA BISEL (Production Stage Manager) is the assistant choir director of Mt. Saint Helen’s. She was originally a nun in the Cistercian Convent of Our Lady of Dallas, but was asked to leave after shouting “Places, please!” during Grand Silence. Sister Lisa was given the job of supervising “Nunsense” as a penance for past sins committed as an actress in ACT’s production of “Every Little Crook and Nanny.” She was also seen onstage in “California Suite,” “The Curious Savage,” and “Murder at the Class Reunion” to name a few roles. She is currently replacing Sister Julia as our chef for our dinner shows. We wonder where she got the recipe for the Vichyssoise.