THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 5, 1994 TAG: 9411050657
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
The fun sense of ``Nunsense'' does not always carry over to ``Nunsense II,'' the current Gallery Theatre presentation.
To put it another way - don't look for ``Nunsense III.''
The problem with the Gallery presentation has nothing to do with the Gallery performers, all of whom have neatly captured the personalities of the Little Sisters of Hoboken.
The problem is the nondescript script. The sequel is not as clever as the original, the songs not as humorous.
The performers, all fugitives from ``Nunsense'' - except for Marilyn Brantley, who exited due to illness the first go-'round - obviously love the people they play.
Before entering the Gallery convent, Sister Mary Regina was Karen Knowles, Sister Mary Hubert was Mary Harrell, Sister Robert Anne was Marilyn Brantley, Sister Mary Amnesia was Carol Piper and Sister Mary Leo was Emily Jernigan.
If you missed those wacky nuns the first time, the first few moments of ``Nunsense II'' offers a summation of the original production.
While this production lacks the personality and panache of its parent, it does have its moments.
Sister Mary Amnesia's bingo game, involving the audience as players, is great fun; a doo-wopper, ``What Would Elvis Do?'' is, for good reason, the audience favorite; ``What a Catastrophe'' is not - it's good, old-fashioned gospel.
Some goings-on that are carryovers from ``Nunsense'' fall pancake-flat in the sequel - the puppet named Sister Mary Annette (marionette, see?) is not as clever this time, and the new version of the cookbook sale is close to a zero.
Now that you've been discouraged, it's a good time to note you should not be discouraged from seeing ``Nunsense II.''
If you didn't see the original, you will find this a lot of fun; if you saw the original you will enjoy this production, but not as much.
The enjoyment is the cast, happily handling difficult material with class.
``Nunsense II'' is a case of performers outclassing the material. by CNB