After the poisoning of 55 nuns of the Order of the Little Sisters of Triangle by cook Sister Julia Child of God, the remaining nuns put on a fundraiser to bury the last four sisters. Such is the plot of "Nunsense", the live musical comedy that opened on Friday, June 8, at the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre.  

Spoiler alert: Each of the sisters has a secret desire to be in show business, and the internal conflict pits their religious vows against personal ambitions. Underneath the habit they want to be stars!

They might have had more money, if Mother Superior Mary Regina (Tricia Jarrell) did not purchase a flat screen and blue-ray player, but well, she doesn’t like to discuss that.

The show is also an mélange of song, dance and comedy, including ballet, tap, jazz, wacky props and comedy numbers. Oh, and the singing is divine. Kristen Jepperson, Diane Pollock and Tricia Jarrell can really belt it out. They also gave some of the best character-driven performances.

Kristen Jepperson hit all the right notes as Sister Mary Amnesia, who, after being struck by a crucifix, forgot her identity.  Amnesia’s forgetfulness makes for a lot of jokes, and Jepperson plays the absentminded sister with a jovial spirit, earning her the most laughs.

Ann DeMichele also shines as the spirited, spunky Sister Robert Ann, the “street smart” understudy, who brings her ever-positive, easy-going nature to the covenant. Sowers always stayed in character, sporting an at once sincere and sly smile.

Diane Pollock, as Sister Mary Hubert, is the right hand woman to the Mother Superior and the only one who can get away with chastising her, which she often deserves…let’s not forget the flat screen incident. 

Novice Sister Mary Leo, played by Kyna Hollis does a fantastic ballet number, too bad she’s confined by her black robes. Jarrell shines at Mary Regina, especially when something she finds in a student locker helps to loosen her up.

The show is more about variety than plot. The gags are endless.  Some are a little cheesy, but they keep the laughs rolling. It boarders on risqué at times, with mildly inappropriate language, and it is not intended for children, although the Lazy Susan will leave that to the discretion of the parents.

Friday was opening night, and so actors were still finding their voice. They tended to be a little quiet in the first act and grow into character as they progressed.  

The biggest with the show is the premise that 55 nuns died of food poisoning. It seems a little farfetched, and, a little tasteless. Also, the on-going dancing between the benefit show and the sisters’ predicament was jarring at times as well, taking me mentally out of the action. I would suggest audiences come expecting a comedic variety show.

Much of the comedy derives from the juxtaposition of serious, devout nuns and their happy-go-lucky philosphy of: "I just want to be me!" It’s a conceit the modern audience is now familiar with, and one I suspect is not too far from the true experience of being a modern nun. 

The show runs until September 25. For tickets, contact the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre www.lazysusan.com or call 703-550-7384.