Shore Repertory Company Presents NUNSENSE at the Kelsey Theatre, Now thru 8/26

Shore Repertory Company will present the musical comedy "Nunsense" at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre, closing out Kelsey's 2012 Summer Festival. Performances are Fridays, beginning tonight Aug. 17 and continuing August 24 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Aug. 18 and 25 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Aug. 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance tonight, Aug. 17.

In this five-woman show, an unfortunate convent cooking accident at the Little Sisters of Hoboken causes most of the nuns to die of botulism. To raise funds for the burials, Mother Superior has a vision to start a greeting card company. The business is so successful that she can't resist buying a home entertainment center for the convent, in the process leaving the sisters still short of burial funds. To raise the rest of the money, the sisters – or what's left of them – put on a riotous revue packed with hilarious, show-stopping song and dance numbers.

"Nunsense" originated as a line of greeting cards that was later expanded into a cabaret show, and eventually a full-length musical in 1985. The show has since been adapted for television, and has spawned six sequels and three spin-offs. The second-longest-running Off-Broadway show in history, it became an international phenomenon with more than 8,000 productions worldwide by the time it closed. The original production won four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Off-Broadway Musical, Best Book and Best Music.

Starring in the show are Lynne Truex of Brielle as Reverend Mother; Maureen Illmensee Rada of Colts Neck as Sister Hubert; Karen Ficarra of Point Pleasant as Sister Robert Anne; Gina Lupi of Freehold as Sister Mary Amnesia; and MCCC's own Elizabeth Rzasa of Lawrenceville as Sister Leo.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $14 for students and children. For tickets, call the Kelsey Theatre box office at 609-570-3333, or visit www.kelseytheatre.net. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking available next to the theater.

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