It\’s taken two thousand years to reach a rapprochement between Christians and Jews, but the moment has finally come! A new musical called Meshuggah Nuns is now making its way to Blair County as the Tyrone Community Players present it in dinner theater on Friday, August 11 and Saturday, August 12 at the Tyrone American Legion.
Though the material makes one feel squeamish at times, and the corn is high as an elephant\’s eye (to quote Rodgers and Hammerstein\’s \”Oklahoma\”), it is nonetheless a message of tolerance and infinite goodwill. In this improbable tale, a bevy of nuns connect with a Jewish actor who has stumbled into their midst. Each proceeds to show warmth and respect for the other\’s customs and faiths, as they sing and dance and tell corny jokes.
It\’s Dan Goggin\’s latest development in his \”Nunsense\” series, a show theme which he has turned into a cottage industry. From the original \”Nunsense\” on, he has created a series of adventures and catchy tunes for his nuns, gently spoofing their ways but emphasizing their humanity. This time the Sisters are on a cruise, where they are scheduled to see \”Fiddler on the Roof.\” Unfortunately, the \”Fiddler\” cast, with one exception, is seasick-and the nuns (known for their show-biz skills) are asked to step in as replacements. They team up with the one healthy member of the \”Fiddler\” cast-one Howard Liszt, played by Steve Helsel, who was slated to play Tevya. And soon they are all making beautiful music together and becoming fast friends. Thanks to the warm-heartedness and goodwill, which prevails, the show will never get boring for any audience. As a matter of fact the audience is encouraged to participate in the show.
The show\’s liveliness and pacing never lags because it is short on dialogue, long on musical numbers, every one gets a chance to shine in solos, duets, trios and company numbers. Particularly affective is the take-off on \”Tradition\” from \”Fiddler on the Roof,\” which becomes \”Contrition.\” The Little Sisters of Hoboken have taken this show into a larger world, one which has great need for tolerance and understanding-and they prove equal to the challenge. Whatever the shortcomings of \”Meshuggah Nuns,\” it\’s a step in the right direction. As a line from the show states, \”It couldn\’t hoit.\”
Tickets for the Tyrone Community Players dinner theater production of “Meshuggah Nuns!” can be purchased by calling 684-2782 or by checking the website at www.tyronecommunityplayers.org.
