'Nunsense' to be performed later this month at the River Campus

Rehearsals are in full swing for the musical comedy "Nunsense," which will be performed as part of the inaugural Summer Arts Festival at the River Campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

The play -- the second-longest-running off-Broadway play -- will be performed on June 19 through 22 and 26 through 29 in the Rust Flexible Theatre.

"Nunsense" is the story of a group of nuns -- the Order of Little Sisters of Hoboken -- who put on a benefit variety show to raise money to bury a few members of their order who were accidentally poisoned by a daft chef; they must raise the money before health inspectors show up and discover the deceased nuns in the convent freezers.

Judith Farris will play the part of Sister Mary Regina, bringing to life the role of the mother superior. Farris, artist in residence at Southeast, is an opera singer and vocal teacher who has worked with actresses such as Tyne Daly, best known for her role in the television series "Cagney & Lacey." In 2012, Farris took to the stage in the role of Teen Angel in Southeast's production of the musical "Grease."

Initially reluctant to take the part of Sister Mary Regina, Farris accepted when she was told she was, in fact, the mother superior.

Judith Farris, as Sister Mary Regina, rehearses “Turn Up the Spotlight” with the fan dancers in a scene from “Nunsense.” (Fred Lynch)

"I had to say 'yes,'" Farris said.

Farris has several connections to "Nunsense." An original production starred Kaye Ballad, a stage, television and film actress -- and one of Farris's students. In the Southeast production, two actresses are Southeast graduates whom she instructed, and another two are her current students.

Director Kenn Stilson, Southeast professor of acting, directing and musical theater and chairman of the Southeast theater and dance department, said the play was selected because it is easy to relate to and is written to be enjoyed by all ages.

"Somebody 90 years old can come and love this play," he said. He believes this is the perfect play for the first summer arts festival, with its low technology and low choreography, audience-involved approach. Though it's a relatively minimalist production, there is no skimping on costumes or sets, which are being built from scratch. After trying rented costumes -- the nuns' habits -- without satisfaction, they made the complicated costumes on campus.

The cast also includes Kirbi Mason as Mistress of the Novices Sister Mary Hubert; Hannah Lundy as want-to-get-into-the-act Sister Mary Robert Anne; Michelle Contrino, Southeast instructor of theater and dance, as aspiring ballerina Sister Mary Leo; Sami Gross as the lovably clueless Sister Mary Amnesia; Laura Liefer as Sister Mary Silenzia; and Alyssa Cooper as Sister Mary Mary. The musical director is Joe Mason, technical director is Jeff Luetkenhaus, and Caleb Long is stage manager.

Farris and Stilson are thrilled about the Summer Arts Festival and anticipate it will be a yearly event. The free festival, which features live music, dance, theatrical performances, magic, visual arts displays, hands-on family-friendly art-expression activities and more, si from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 21.

Tickets may be bought from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at the River Campus box office in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., by calling 651-2265 or by visiting RiverCampusEvents.com.