Nunsense Fun Facts
Detailed Synopsis | Awards | Fun Facts | Songs
Nunsense
Five of the 19 surviving Little Sisters of Hoboken, a one-time missionary order that ran a leper colony on an island south of France, discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, accidentally killed the other 52 residents of the convent with her tainted vichyssoise while they were off playing bingo with a group of Maryknolls. Upon discovering the disaster, Mother Superior had a vision in which she was told to start a greeting card company to raise funds for the burials. The greeting cards were an enormous success and, thinking there was plenty of money, the Reverend Mother bought a new plasma TV for the convent, leaving her with no money in the kitty to pay for the last four burials. With the deceased nuns on ice in the deep freezer, they decide to stage a variety show in the Mount Saint Helen's School auditorium to raise the necessary amount. Participating in the project are Mother Superior Mary Regina, a former circus performer who can not resist the spotlight; her competitive but dignified rival, second-in-command Sister Mary Hubert; Sister Robert Anne, a streetwise nun from Brooklyn; Sister Mary Leo, a novice who is determined to be the world's first ballerina nun; and wacky Sister Mary Amnesia, who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head.
1986 Outer Critics Circle Awards
Best Musical (Winner)
Best Book (Winner)
Best Music (Winner)
Best Debut by an Actress – On or Off-Broadway (Winner)
1. Nunsense was inspired by the popular line of greeting cards of the same name created by writer/composer Dan Goggin in the early 1980s. The cards feature actress Marilyn Farina dressed as a Mother Superior in a variety of comic situations highlighted by greetings suitable for various holidays and occasions.
2. Nunsense was first booked into the Duplex in Manhattan for four days and held over for 38 weeks.
3. Nunsense won four Outer Critics' Circle Awards in 1986, including "Best Off-Broadway Musical." It is s the second longest-running show in Off-Broadway history behind The Fantasticks.
4. Nunsense has become an international phenomenon, translated into 21 languages with more than 8,000 productions worldwide. It has grossed more than $300 million and more than 25,000 women have performed in Nunsense productions around the world.
5. The show’s astounding success has prompted creator Dan Goggin to add to his franchise with Nunsense 2: The Second Coming, Sister Amnesia's Country Western Nunsense Jamboree, Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical, Meshuggah-Nuns!, Nunsensations: The Nunsense Vegas Revue and Nunsense A-Men, Nunset Boulevard and Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class.
Nunsense is Habit-Forming
A Difficult Transition
Benedicte
The Biggest Ain't the Best
Playing Second Fiddle
So you want to be a Nun
Turn up the Spotlight
Lilacs Bring Back Memories
Tackle that Temptation with a Time-Step
Growing up Catholic
Clean out the Freezer
Just a Coupl'a Sisters
Soup’s On
Playing Second Fiddle (Reprise)
I just want to be a Star
The Drive-In
I could’ve gone to Nashville
Holier than Thou
Finale