'Nuncrackers' production delivers entertaining couple of hours

Nuns typically aren't known for their humor -- especially humor that borders on what most people would call crude.

So when a bunch of fictional nuns -- all of whom are crazy characters in their own right -- ham it up variety-show style, the result is a pretty entertaining couple of hours.

The River City Players' newest production, "Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical," does just that. Fans of musical comedies will recognize the "Nunsense" franchise -- a group of plays that take place in the Little Sisters of Hoboken convent and skewers the whole Catholic value system but in a not-too-mean way.

The sheer quirkiness of the characters in this River City Players production makes it worth seeing. A cast of 20, including nine children, put all kinds of personality into some of the weirdest nuns ever. Two standouts -- Sister Mary Robert Anne, a Brooklyn nun with big-city sensibilities played by Amanda Robertson, and Sister Mary Paul, a lovable backwoods dunce played nicely by Sandra Shaw.

And what good comedy would be complete without a drunk, cross-dressing priest pretending to be a nun with her own cooking show? Ryan Heslinga does an awesome job at transforming into an obliterated holy man, slinging as much rum around the stage as he drinks.

The songs are catchy, funny and, to put it simply, feel good, like the Village People-inspired "In the Convent." And plenty of audience participation makes the crowd part of the action in true dinner theater style. "Nuncrackers" is the kind of comedy the River City Players do best. The actors ooze fun and enthusiasm, and their attitude is contagious.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

Want to go?

* What: "Nuncrackers:"

* When: 6:30 p.m. today, Saturday, Nov. 17 and 18; 7 p.m. Thursday

* Where: River City Yacht Club

* Info: 334-0954