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MUSICAL COMEDY: From left, Debbie Winn, Jennifer Anne, Alejandra Ceja, Denise Wheeler and Kathy Hire, front center, rehearse for "Nunsense" in the Lyle Schwarz Theatre. (The Observer/LAURA MACKIE-HANCOCK).

By Jeff Petersen

Observer Staff Writer

From Nunzilla the windup toy to "Sister Act," the series of movies starring Whoopi Goldberg, nuns have a long history of inspiring comedy.

"Nunsense" takes the tradition one step further when the musical comedy opens tonight at Schwarz Theatre on the Eastern Oregon University campus.

The story goes like this. Five energetic nuns, part of the Little Sisters of Hoboken, are in a bind. Botulism accidentally cooked up by Sister Julia Child of God has killed 52 nuns, all buried except the last four. Then money runs out so the four bodies are put in Julia's freezer. To raise money in a hurry, the surviving nuns put on a show at the middle school, which is staging a production of "Grease."

" ‘Nunsense' is full of fun, harmonizing, dancing," Director Kenn Wheeler says. And fear not sacrilege. "When the first part was put out in 1980 (there are five parts), the Pope loved the show."

While the main story races ahead, a subplot involves Sister Mary Amnesia (Denise Wheeler), who has lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head. The nuns are hoping something will jump-start her memory.

Other characters include Sister Robert Anne (Jennifer Anne), a street-wise rebel who grew up in Brooklyn.

Sister Mary Hubert (Debbie Winn), the mistress of the novices, is second in command to the Rev. Mother Mary Regina (Kathy Hire).

Also playing key roles in "Nunsense" are Sister Mary Clavinova (Marilyn Muller) accompanying the show on piano and Caitlin O'Brien (Sister Mary Cacophany) on drums.

The cast all has EOU connections. Two cast members are music majors, two are theater majors.

Denise Wheeler, veteran director and actor and the wife of Director Kenn Wheeler, is wearing three hats as choreographer/actress/costumer.

Besides directing, Kenn is scenic designer, with lighting under the skillful eye of Bo Oliver.

The show opens at 8 tonight through Saturday night and Aug. 6-8.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and students, with money generated going into a fund to promote community theater.