Behind the Nun-scenes: I

Two weeks of Nunsense at The Barn Dinner Theatre have come and gone in a whirlwind, so I thought I’d share some of the most memorable bits thus far.

In a Most Extreme version of “the show must go on”, our Reverend Mother had a fall after opening night and has done the past few shows in a wheelchair! Pauline is a professional in the truest sense of the word and carrying on with such aplomb, many audience members thought the wheelchair was written into the show!

One neat aspect of the Barn is that the stage descends from the ceiling after the dinner hour is over! It gives us an up-close and personal view of the lighting instruments.

This is one of those shows that depends on a great audience, and we have certainly have them! My favorite audience quote has been that we were terribly sacrilegious – and totally worth it (:

Our audiences have also included a Raleigh theatre friend who needed to meet his parents from Charlotte in the middle — i.e. the Triad area — so they decided to see the show [that is one of the sweetest things I have ever had happen, so early and extra promotion for the next South Stream production!!]…

…and the friends who came to support preview night…

…and these people:

My folks make the trip down from PA for every production they can. Barring hip replacements. And the ones I tell them to skip so as not to offend their conservative sensibilities [e.g. Rock of Ages]. However, my best friend has told me on more than one occasion that I need to not censor my parents, so next time I’m a showgirl, I’ll get them front-row tickets!

…or not…

Along those lines, in case you’re wondering: yes, the habits are as warm as you assume. We all wear as little underneath as possible – as evidenced by this super glamorous mic check photo:

One more funny behind-the-scenes story for now: Gretchen, aka Sister Mary Amnesia, and I are asked by at least one person at every performance if we’re related. I guess it’s not just because we’re both hilarious [and I’d take her dance ability and soprano range in a heartbeat!], even my dad commented that in our habits we look alike. Apparently we look so much alike that the poster designer was confused! The first version had two Mary Amnesias and no Robert Anne:

OK, time for a few days off. It’s been a busy couple of weeks, so I’m looking forward to some downtime. Like taking my folks to their first Dash game yesterday:

Today they’re headed home (turning the six-hour drive into a two-day minibreak as they head up the Blue Ridge Parkway because they’re super fun like that) and it’s drizzly and overcast — a perfect night to pop into pjs ASAP, do some kitchen experimenting, and finish the (vaguely terrible) murder mystery that’s been haunting my nightstand for a while!