TexARTS wants to make a habit out of starting its professional performance season with a bang, so opening this year’s series with “Nunsense” is a divine choice.

The much-celebrated comedy has spawned numerous sequels and has been translated into 26 languages. It is the second-longest running off-Broadway show after “The Fantasticks” as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Anything goes in this zany, nutty tale of the Little Sisters of Hoboken who, after their cook Sister Julia, Child of God, accidentally poisons 52 of the sisters, decide to stage a variety show to raise funds for the burials.
The nonprofit Lakeway performance company has brought in director and choreographer Bambi Jones, a nine-year veteran of “Nunsense” shows in New York whom writer-director Dan Goggin recommended, to helm the production.
Jones said audiences don’t have to be Catholic to enjoy the universal humor of the show, but it will bring back some memories for anyone has been taught by nuns.
“It’s just a fun show. You can forget your troubles and leave here laughing and feeling good,” she said.
An ensemble cast featuring a mix of veteran and up-and-coming professionals has gelled nicely.
“The community of the cast is like the closeness of the convent,” Jones said.
Marijane “MJ” Vandivier, who plays the Sister Mary Regina, Mother Superior, is a familiar face to TexARTS audiences of “The Music Man” at the Paramount Theater in Austin and anyone who watched “Marijane’s Magicastle” as a child in the Houston area.
“She’s a great lady of the stage in Austin,” said Todd Dellinger, TexARTS executive director.
Vandivier will lend her extensive experience in theater, radio and television to a Mother Superior role blends dignity with absurdity. Sister Mary Regina hasn’t fully let go of her past as a circus tightrope walker, so the variety show serves as the perfect vehicle to show off her talents.
“It’s kind of like ‘I Love Lucy’ where everything starts out OK, but then it begins to all fall apart,” she said.
Mother Superior has her flaws, but can lean on Sister Mary Hubert, the Mistress of Novices, for support. Janis Stinson brings her experience from turns in “Hank Williams: Lost Highway,” “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Crowns” to that role.
Ashley McKay as Sister Mary Leo, a novice who aspires to be a ballerina, is another production member with “Nunsense” experience who is making her Texas debut.
“She’s sort of a triple threat, which is hard to find anywhere,” Dellinger said of McKay’s talent in acting, dancing and singing.
She has played Sister Leo at the Maples Repertory Theatre/Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors” and Lois Lane in “Kiss Me Kate.”
Emily Bem will bring some attitude to the show as Sister Robert Anne, a street smart nun from Brooklyn. She recently played Doris in “Damn Yankees” Widow Douglas in “Big River” and Alma in “The Music Man,” all TexARTS productions. She also teaches at the performance center, Huntington Surrey High School and private voice lessons.
“She is a terrific comedic character actor in town,” Dellinger said.
And audiences won’t forget Sister Mary Amnesia, the nun who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head. Patty Rowell is delighted to be making her TexARTS debut in “Nunsense” as the sister who quizzes the audience on a couple of numbers. She has recently starred as Reno Sweeney in “Anything Goes,” Marian Paroo in “The Music Man” and Sarah Brown in “Guys and Dolls.”
“She’s another Austin performer who really hasn’t gotten her big shot. We’re hoping this [Nunsense] will be it,” Dellinger said.
The production runs from Sept. 25-Oct. 11 at TexARTS’ Kam and James Morris Theater, 2300 Lohmans Spur, in Lakeway. Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays except for the first week that won’t include a Thursday show. Matinees will be at 2 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets are $35 and $40 and may be purchased at the TexARTS box office at a discount or online at www.nowplayingaustin.com. For information, call 852-9079.
“Much of what the audience will see is from the New York production [of Nunsense]. They will probably see just as good a show as they would see in New York,” Dellinger said.