Nunset Boulevard
By Dan Goggin
Directed & choreographed by Stacey Flaster
At The Theatre At the Center, Munster, IN
Those pesky nuns are at it again
Leave it to Dan Goggin to make his nuns shows an industry. He has another hit with his latest – Nunset Boulevard – his seventh nuns musical – this time the irrepressible Little Sisters of Hoboken are invited to perform at the Hollywood Bowl. When they arrive in Hollywood, they realize that they were booked in the Hollywood Bowl-A-Rama.
They, of course, will entertain us folks with song, dance and some funny bits and pieces of show biz pizazz . Things get dicey when the nuns learn that a famous film producer is having auditions for an actress for a new film about Dolores Hart, a movie star who became a nun. Sister Leo (Nicole Miller) strongly desires the part. Sister Superior, Reverend Mother (Alene Robertson) struggles with Sister Leo’s wish.
The show is filled with cute, vaudevillian revue songs that evoke fun as they spoof both Hollywood cliches and nuns. Dan Goggins’ new show has his usual formula and his songs gently satirize the nuns adventurous location – this time Hollywood. His tunes are theme specific with numbers like “Sisters in the Cinema,” “Belte, Ballads and Blues Songs” and the haunting “Don’t Look Back.”
Goggins songs are worthy and the hooky comedy is spiced-up with terrific work from Alene Robertson, Felicia Fields, Lauren Creel and Nicole Miller. Mary Robin Roth’s performance was particularly funny and heartfelt.
Nunset Boulevard is a family show that Catholics will enjoy and those who like light-weight, sweet musical revues with a taste of wit and cleverness will take to. Director/choreographer Stacy Flaster adds little touches to evoke style, humor and sweetness to the production. She wisely lets her veteran cast land the comedy and sing Goggin’s tunes to the fullest.
Nunset Boulevard is an escapist, fun little revue with enough style and talent to satisfy. It is family friendly and a slice of no-brainer entertainment.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2011
For full show information, go to the page for Nunset Boulevard at TheatreinChicago.
At The Theatre At the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN, call 219-836-3255, www.theatreatthecenter.com, tickets $36 – $40m free parking, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 2 pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 2:30 pm, Select Thursdays evenings and Tuesday and Saturday matinees, running time is 2 hours with intermission, through May 29, 2011