THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 3, 1994 TAG: 9411020190
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: AHOSKIE LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
The Gallery Theatre has ``sequelitis'' after last year's successful ``Nunsense.'' Starting tonight, the theater is presenting ``Nunsense II,'' also referred to as ``The Second Coming.''
Lottie Lassiter, director of both, saw the follow-up play in Portsmouth, liked what she saw and decided others would feel the same.
``You need not have seen the first to enjoy the second,'' she said. ``This is another fun show - all new dialogue and music.''
One thing remains the same - the cast.
Karen Knowles is Sister Mary Regina, the Mother Superior; Mary Harrell is Sister Mary Hubert, mistress of novices; Carol Piper is Sister Mary Paul, also known as Amnesia; Emily Jernigan is Sister Mary Leo.
Marilyn Brantley was to have portrayed Sister Robert Anne last season, but illness prevented that.
This time around she is hale, hearty and ready to go.
``I didn't have to beg any of the cast to reprise their parts,'' Lassiter said.
``We didn't want anyone else to do our parts,'' said Knowles, who is also the choreographer.
``Nunsense II,'' like its predeccesor, concerns itself with the wild 'n' wooly problems of a group of Jersey nuns wending their way through a script by Dan Goggins, who authored the initial production.
This is what some of the players say about their roles:
Knowles: ``The kids at school, where I teach, say I'm just like my character, that I'm just being myself. I'm playful at school.''
Harrell: ``This time around I'm a little more sarcastic to Mother Superior. Karen and I have a drunk scene. Karen got high last time. Now, she gets drunk with me.''
Piper: ``On one hand, my character is a serious entertainer. On the other, she's a total dimwit. She has her memory in this play, but she's still one pickle shy of a sandwich.''
Brantley: ``Sister Robert Anne is crazy but down-to-earth. She likes to have fun, but she's serious when it comes to kids - good-hearted.''
Jernigan: ``My character still wants to be the first nun ballerina, but she's still not allowed to wear a tutu. In a surprise turn, she becomes a holy roller. You'll see what I mean.'' MEMO: The Gallery Theatre, 115 West Main St., presents ``Nunsense II _ The
Second Coming'' at 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday and at 2:30 p.m.
Sunday. Tickets for adults are $5 in advance, $6 at the door and for
students $4 in advance, $5 at the door. Tickets are available at the box
office and Chamber of Commerce. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by FRANK ROBERTS
Three of the ``Nunsense II'' nuns, Emily Jernigan, left, Carol Piper
and Marilyn Brantley, rehearse one of their musical numbers.
by CNB