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Nunsense Jamboree

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  5w, 1m, 1any gender (adult)

Book, Music and Lyrics by Dan Goggin

This hilarious hoedown is Nunsense fun with a Laugh-In/ Hee-Haw/Grand Ole Opry slant!

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5w, 1m, 1any gender (adult)
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences
Nunsense Jamboree

Details

Summary

In the first Nunsense, a wacky nun known as Sister Mary Amnesia regained her memory and recalled that she always wanted to be a country singer. In Nunsense II, her dream became one step closer to reality when Reverend Mother landed a recording contract for her. In this show, Nunsense Jamboree, Sister Amnesia's dream is realized as she headlines a brand-new show promoting her debut album, I Could've Gone to Nashville.

Cheered by audiences and critics alike as funny and fast-paced, this hilarious hoedown is Nunsense fun with a Laugh-In/Hee-Haw/Grand Ole Opry slant. Outrageously funny musical numbers include “Every Day of the Week Is a Saturday,” “Do Unto Others,” “The Delta Queen,” “We Miss You, Patsy Cline,” “A Technicolor Woman” and “A Cowgirl from Canarsie.” You say you're not a country music fan? Don't worry – this country music is “Nunsense theatrical-style,” guaranteed to please any Nunsense fan!

In Nunsense, Sister Mary Amnesia (so-called because a crucifix had fallen on her head and she couldn't remember who she was) finally realized that she was Sister Mary Paul, a nun who had always wanted to be a country singer. In Nunsense II: The Second Coming, Reverend Mother secured a recording contract for Sister Mary Paul (still affectionately known as Amnesia). Now, in Nunsense Jamboree (officially titled Sister Amnesia's Country Western Nunsense Jamboree) Sister Amnesia has made her first album and is on a tour promoting her new recording. She is touring with Sister Robert Anne, Sister Mary Leo, and two new friends: Father Virgil Trott (Sister Mary Leo's brother, a Franciscan priest with his own country radio show), and Sister Mary Wilhelm, the Superintendent of Nursing. (Reverend Mother and Sister Mary Hubert are back at the convent.) The show takes place in real time in whatever venue it happens to be booked.

History
Nunsense Jamboree (aka Sister Amnesia's Country Western Nunsense Jamboree), the third in Dan Goggin's series of Nunsense musicals, premiered at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre in Chanhassen, Minnesota on 1 December 1995.

Act I

The rousing title song “Nunsense Jamboree” introduces the performers and presents a quick background of each, so that those not familiar with Nunsense stories will be up to speed. Following some introductory remarks and acknowledgement of the evening’s sponsors, Sister Amnesia sings the title song of her new album, “I Could’ve Gone to Nashville.”

After some fast-paced one-liners, Sister Amnesia goes out into the audience to give some tokens of appreciation to her fans. Sister Mary Wilhelm realizes things are getting out of hand and so retrieves Sr. Amnesia, as Sister Robert Anne and Father Virgil sing “Ascension Air,” touting their first sponsor. Father Virgil then proudly presents his sister, Sister Mary Leo, who sings “A Technicolor Woman.” Sister Wilhelm is duly impressed and informs the audience that in one week Sister Leo will be getting her black veil and ring. This brings out some fears that have been haunting Sister Mary Leo; in a beautiful ballad, “Seven A.M. in Phoenix,” Sister Wilhelm tries to put her at ease.

Sister Robert Anne interrupts the proceedings with the announcement that she has been working on a new song and wants to present it. It is called “Play a Country Enut” and Sister explains that a country “enut” is a country tune played backwards. It seems to amuse everyone but Sister Wilhelm. Father Virgil, preparing to sing about another sponsor, is taken by surprise as Sister Mary Annette (the nun puppet) appears and coaxes him into singing a duet, “The Story of Ida Lee.”

Things get back on track as Sister Amnesia reminisces about her home life, culminating in the production number “Every Day of the Week is a Saturday.” After a few more one-liners, Father Virgil and Sister Leo perform “A Good Book,” which to everyone’s amusement turns out to be a salute to TV Guide. Then... great news: Sister Amnesia’s album is on the Billboard charts! The cast gives thanks with “Praise to the Lord.” Amnesia is so happy she says she would marry the record producer, but the others inform her that’s impossible (“You’re a Nun”). Act One ends with a hilarious finale – a salute to the patron Saint of Nursing, “Saint Catherine Laboure.”

Act II

Reprising the title song (“Nunsense Jamboree”), cast members go into the audience, trading jokes. A call on Sister Robert Anne’s cell phone informs them that Sister Amnesia is up for an award. Sister Wilhelm says she will handle it as Sister Amnesia presents another song from her new album (“Dial 411”). Sister Robert Anne sings of her childhood in “Growing Up in Brooklyn,” after which Sr. Wilhelm returns to explain that Sister Amnesia has been asked to come to Nashville for a big ceremony, but she must pay for it. Sister Robert Anne thinks she has the answer as she convinces the cast to join her in “A Perfect Plot.” Sister Wilhelm is appalled at Robert Anne’s suggestion.

Meanwhile, Father Virgil and Sr. Leo talk of their life in the Mississippi Delta and Father Virgil performs “The Delta Queen.” It’s time for another word from a sponsor as Sister Leo and Sister Robert Anne sing of “Franciscan Fodder.” This is followed by a salute to a Grand Ole Opry favorite in “Mini-Pearls of Wisdom.”

Still not knowing if Sister Amnesia can afford a trip, Sister Wilhelm announces the first Catholic Country Auction, in which all the audience participates in bidding on items from the Santa Lucia-Pet to an authentic Bible Belt. When Sister Wilhelm is summoned to take a phone call from Reverend Mother, Sister Robert Anne entertains the audience with her rendition of “A Cowgirl from Canarsie.” In a special tribute, the entire audience joins in the chorus of “We Miss You, Patsy Cline.”

Reverend Mother announces that she has secured funds for Sister Amnesia to go to the ceremony, where she will be chosen the most promising new country artist. The cast cheers her and tells her she will be a star, but in a touching prayer, “Every Time You Smiled at Me,” Sister Amnesia vows that she will never leave the convent. In a foot-stomping, hand-clapping finale, the cast closes the show with “Do Unto Others.”

SISTER MARY PAUL [aka AMNESIA] – The daffy nun who was hit on the head with a crucifix and for a long time didn’t remember who she was. Still called Sister Amnesia, she turned out to be Sister Mary Paul, a Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes winner who had once been a country singer.

SISTER MARY WILHELM – Superintendent of Nursing for the Diocese of Newark. She appears rather severe but turns out to be lots of fun. As a teenager she appeared in a movie with Frankie Avalon.

SISTER ROBERT ANNE – The streetwise tough kid from the Canarsie section of Brooklyn. A constant source of aggravation for superiors, but loved by the kids she teaches. She is the voice of the puppet, Sister Mary Annette.

SISTER MARY LEO – The young novice who hopes to dedicate her life to God as a ballerina, but who is constantly frustrated by Reverend Mother’s refusal to let her perform in a tutu. She is soon to take her vows and receive her black veil.

FATHER VIRGIL MANLY TROTT – A Franciscan priest who is Sister Mary Leo’s real-life brother. He is very handsome and well aware of it. He is an authentic country singer originally from Mississippi.

SISTER MARY REGINA – (Voice only) Mother Superior of the Little Sisters of Hoboken. We hear from her in this show via voice-over on the telephone.

BROTHER/SISTER STAGE MANAGER – Appears as him/herself, with messages for the others.

  • Time Period Present Day
  • Setting The show takes place in real time, in the venue in which it happens to be booked.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features Audience Participation/Interactive
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“The caviar of cornpone... impishly naughty entertainment!” – Saint Paul Pioneer Press

“Tasty fun with a twang... These ditzy nuns are endearing in their innocent giddiness.” – Star Tribune

“A slice of old-school Americana, where Minnie Pearl was funny, Dolly Parton was beloved, Barbra Streisand was divine, and Patsy Cline was worshipped... a place where you can sing and clap along and remember rootin’ tootin’ relics of days gone by.” – BroadwayWorld

“The caviar of cornpone, an unholy trinity of country music, jokes that have been around since Aristophanes was a tadpole and four singing, line-dancing nuns (and one priest)... impishly naughty entertainment!” – Saint Paul Pioneer Press

“Yee Haw... It’s got uptempo tunes, it’s got singing nuns a little on the wacky side, and it’s got lots of Catholic humor... all in all, it’s a feel-good production performed by a perky and very talented bunch.” – Encore Michigan

Videos

  • Nunsense Jamboree Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Nunsense Jamboree Trailer

  • Nunsense TV - Pilot youtube thumbnail

    Nunsense TV - Pilot

Music

Music Samples

Act I

1. “The Nunsense Jamboree” – Sisters Amnesia, Leo, Robert Anne, Wilhelm and Father Virgil
1a. A Word From Our Sponsors – Piano Solo Underscore
2. “I Could’ve Gone To Nashville” – Sister Amnesia, & Backup Trio (Srs. Leo, Robert Anne & Wilhelm)
3. “Ascension Air” – Sr. Robert Anne & Father Virgil with Srs. Leo & Wilhelm
4. “A Technicolor Woman” – Sister Leo
5. “Seven A.M. In Phoenix” – Srs. Wilhelm & Leo
5a. Playon: William Tell Overture – Band
6. “Play A Country Enut” – Sr. Robert Anne
7. “The Story of Ida-Lee” – Sr. Mary Annette (Robert Anne) & Father Virgil with Sr. Wilhelm
8. “Everyday Of The Week Is A Saturday” – Sr. Amnesia
8a. Band Introduction & Reprise: “Saturday” – Sr. Amnesia
9. “A Good Book” – Sr. Leo & Father Virgil
10. “You’re A Nun” – Srs. Leo, Amnesia, Robert Anne & Wilhelm
11. “The Manger Inn” – Father Virgil with Srs Leo & Amnesia
12. Euthanasia’s Chord – Band
13. “A Tribute To St. Catherine Laboure” – Srs. Amnesia, Leo, Robert Anne, Wilhelm & Father Virgil

Act II

14. Opening Act Two (Reprise: “The Nunsense Jamboree”) – Srs. Amnesia, Leo, Wilhelm & Father Virgil
14a. Andy Walks With Me – Band
15. “Dial Four-One-One” – Sr. Amnesia & Backup Trio: Srs. Leo, Robert Anne & Father Virgil
16. “Growing Up In Brooklyn” – Sr. Robert Anne
17. “The Perfect Plot” – Srs. Leo, Robert Anne & Father Virgil
18. “The Delta Queen” – Father Virgil
19. “Franciscan Fodder” – Srs. Leo & Robert Anne with Srs. Amnesia & Wilhelm, Father Virgil & Band
20. “Mini-Pearls Of Wisdom” – Srs. Amnesia, Wilhelm & Father Virgil
20a. Convent Camera – Band
21. “A Cowgirl From Canarsie” – Sr. Robert Anne with Srs. Amnesia, Leo & Father Virgil
22. “We Miss You, Patsy Cline” – Srs. Leo, Robert Anne, & Father Virgil
23. “Every Time You Smiled At Me” – Sr. Amnesia
24. “Do Unto Others” – Srs. Amnesia, Leo, Robert Anne, Wilhelm & Father Virgil
24a. Curtain Call (Reprise: “The Nunsense Jamboree”) – Srs. Amnesia, Leo, Robert Anne, Wilhelm & Father Virgil
25. Exit Music – Band

Full Orchestration

Keyboard Synthesizer
Violin
Bass (electric or acoustic)

Percussion (trap set for one player)

Timpani (one 26? pedal tuned drum)
Xylophone
Bells
Chimes
Crotale (C & D)
Snare Drum (brushes & sticks)
Bass Drum
Temple Blocks (3 pitches)
Wood Block (sticks & rubber mallets)
Tambourine
Washboard
Pop Gun
Car Horn
Duck Call
Suspended Cymbal(s) (scrape, brushes, sticks & mallets)
Splash Cymbal
Hi-Hat Cymbals
Spoons
Cow Bell
Triangle
Large Flexatone
Mark Tree
Bell Tree
Train Whistle
Slide Whistle

  • Musical Style Country/Western
  • Dance Requirements Moderate
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Small/Combo
  • Chorus Size No Chorus

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!

1 Piano-Conductor Score
7 Libretto-Vocal Books
1 Synthesizer
1 Percussion
1 Violin
1 Bass

1 Piano-Conductor Score
7 Libretto-Vocal Books

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Dan Goggin

Dan Goggin, a writer and director, came to New York from Alma, Michigan to study as a classical countertenor. He began his professional career singing in the Broadway production of Luther, starring Albert Finney. While appearing in a comic folk-duo called “The Saxons,” he beg ...

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