Diane Windeler
San Antonio Express-News
As
we know, the Lord works in mysterious ways. And so, apparently, does
St. Joseph, who has a special connection with Sister Columba of the
St. Genesius convent in blizzard-swept Indiana. It is 1960 and the
dear, wheelchair-bound little nun prays to St. Joseph, asking for a
respite in a place where the sun can warm her arthritic bones.
Shazam!
In an instant, the entire convent is whisked to a sandy, broiling
hot desert in Nevada. Not in the wilderness, mind you, but near
(gasp) Las Vegas. The consequences of that miraculous mix-up are
chronicled in Natalie White's zany comedy "Seven Nuns in Las
Vegas," which is being reprised "by popular demand"
at the Steven Stoli Playhouse.
In
2001, the show was an audience favorite with sold-out performances
and an extended run. This time around, Larry Schwartz again directs
and Sandy Schwartz makes her delightful return as sun-and-cactus
loving Sister Columba, but most of the cast is new. The comedy
remains as outrageously silly and cartoonish as ever. And every bit
as entertaining.
Within
days of the convent's appearance, another miracle brought a
charismatic priest (played by a revolving list of guest actors) to
spread the word of religious contemplation. Within a week's time,
his teachings have enticed and reformed so many gamblers and lovers
of glitzy nightlife that Sin City has virtually shut down.
Silver
Dollar Saloon owner Marcus Edelman (reprised with bluster and keen
comic timing by Alan Godin) vainly tries to fix matters and is
horrified to learn his recently laid-off showgirl waitresses have
decided to become nuns.
There
are riotous scenes with the three non-Catholic floozies with hearts
of gold (well-played by Kristina Smiley, Erin Bendele and Dawn Boult).
They struggle with catechism and such concepts as "immaculate
contraption." When they take time off to vamp through a slinky
Gypsy Rose Lee dance number, several of the younger nuns and the
warmed and now-sprightly Sister Columba can't resist joining in the
routine.
The
other nuns, a nicely balanced mélange of old and young, serious and
spirited, deliver their parts with twinkle aplenty: Nina Davis,
Kathleen O'Neal, Martha Prentiss, Marcella Huff, Evie Armstrong and
Monique Sleeper. Flo Jowdy, who alternates with Mary Kay Fillingim,
was properly stern in the cameo of the Reverend Mother.
"Seven
Nuns in Las Vegas" can be seen at 8 pm. Fridays, 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays through June 11th at the Steven Stoli
Playhouse, 11838 Wurzbach at Lockhill Selma in The Elms. Tickets
cost $17 general admission. Call (210) 408-0116 for reservations. |