Independence High students will perform in the musical comedy “Nunsense: The Mega Musical” March 7 to 10 at the school. Paul Nielsen/MMHW photo
MINT HILL – Independence High will present the hit musical comedy “Nunsense: The Mega Musical” over four shows next week.
“Nunsense” is a hilarious spoof about the misadventures of five nuns trying to raise money by doing a variety show after several of their colleagues died after an outbreak of food poisoning. Four of the deceased nuns are still in a freezer awaiting burial. The production features more than 20 songs in the two-act play.
The musical comedy will be held March 7 to 10 at Independence High. Showtimes the first three nights start at 7 p.m. while the final performance will be at 2:30 p.m. March 10. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $5 for students. They can be purchased at the door.
The cast has been rehearsing almost daily since the first of the year.
“We are now at the point where we are starting to put all the pieces together,” theater teacher Paula Baldwin said.
Baldwin is the director. This is her 23rd consecutive spring musical in Mint Hill. Prior to teaching at Independence, Baldwin also taught at Northeast and Mint Hill middle schools.
Baldwin said she has always wanted to do “Nunsense: The Mega Musical.”
“I saw the original production some 30 years ago in New York,” Baldwin said. “I loved it. The original – and there are several sequels – was only five nuns, and it is hard to do a musical in a school this size with only five characters. But, a few years back, they expanded the show and added an ensemble, which made it more user-friendly for community theaters and high schools. It’s very funny, it’s just a fun show to do.’’
Independence junior Grace Deseve plays Sister Amnesia. Grace said she enjoys her role in the production. She is also on the swimming and tennis teams at Independence.
“She forgets everything and she doesn’t know much about her past,” Grace said. “Throughout the show, you see glimpses of her past, and the show eventually unravels it all. I like the role because she is super funny.’’
Danielle Vanasse plays Sister Mary Leo and the senior had to learn ballet for her role.
“She is the youngest, a novice, and she wants to be a ballerina,” Danielle said. “She is really funny and she dances a lot and gets into a lot of mischief. I love the dancing. I had never done ballet before, so that was a little challenging.”
Rick Dills is the production’s technical director, while Kristine Neale is the musical director. Both are faculty members at Independence.
On the web: www.bigipatriot playmakers.weebly.com.
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