Mary Young leads the way as the strict yet creative Mother Superior of the Little Sisters. She was last seen here at Magic Circle as the Matron in Chicago. Hmmm, the roles are completely different, yet disturbingly similar!

This is not Mary's first time as Sister Mary Regina, she played the role five years ago at Garbeau's Dinner Theatre. Was she glad to be back in the habit? "Yes!" she laughs. "I was glad to get Reverend Mother again, and I'm very happy to be here doing it!" Last year Mary could be seen in The Sound of Music and as a pirate in Peter Pan with DMTC.

Sister Hubert, Reverend Mother's right-hand nun (and sometime thorn in the side), is played by Magic Circle newcomer Deborah Douglas. She moved to Northern California two years ago, and this her first time on stage in this area. But she's been in literally hundreds of shows in Southern California, where she got a degree in Musical Theatre and co-founded the community theatre T.B.C. Theatrical Productions. We're very happy to have her with us!

"I've played Sister Hubert before, and I'm eager to do her again," says Deborah. "It's a great experience. I think it will be an evening of great fun! Remember, Nunsense is 'habit-forming'!" she laughs.

Pat Parsell is playing the streetwise nun, Sister Robert Anne, and warns everyone to leave their political correctness at the door. "I really like the music, and I'm enjoying it," says Pat. "It's a fun play, completely irreverent. And the five part harmonies are scaring me to death!" Pat has also appeared here at Magic Circle in The Sound of Music (again as a nun), South Pacific, My Fair Lady, and Fiddler on the Roof.

When asked about her character, Sister Amnesia, Chris Cay Stewart looks completely blank. "Huh? Oh, I had a lot to say about her, but I forgot." She hasn't forgotten that this is the fourth time she's played a nun (look out typecasting!) The other three times were in The Sound of Music (once here, twice at Music Circus). The reader may remember that Chris has also been seen here in The Melody Lingers On, The Music Man, and Quilters.

Katherine Coppola plays Sister Leo, who can't quite understand that a future in ballet is VERY unlikely for a nun. Katherine has been involved in Magic Circle's workshops for the last year and a half, and is part of Swing Time, a singing group of three young women who sing hit songs from the '40s. She's also been in our main stage productions of My Fair Lady and Fiddler on the Roof. She wants everyone to know "This is a very fun show, very entertaining�" she laughs, "It'll be a hoot!"

Two-time Birdsall Award winner (The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, (Abridged) and Noises Off) Gian Montesini is directing all this zaniness. "I saw an all-male version of this play in Brazil, but Rosemarie wouldn't go for it," laughs Gian. "What I like about the show is it's good, clean humor in Catholism. I've found with many religions, people like to find the humor so long as it's clean. This isn't judgemental, it's just very funny."

Assistant Director Stephen Mitchell made his debut in Funny Money (remember Mr. Berfcurse?), and has this to say about working with Gian. "A Brazilian often phrases things differently. Gian phoned and asked me if I'd be the Assistant Director. But now I know he meant director's assistant." He sighs, "if I have to make one more cup of espresso for him, I'll scream!" Other than unending coffee duties, Stephen is enjoying learning how a play gets put together.

Gerry Rheault is back as musical director. He first came to Magic Circle when he stepped in as piano conductor for Fiddler on the Roof, and then did a fabulous job with Chicago. He says he knew nothing about Nunsense when he was first approached. "I like to come in with a fresh perspective. Then I like to listen to the Broadway version afterwards, to see how close we get to the composer's original intent."

Finally, Christi Conroy took some time out from intensive wedding planning to do our choreography. She's been both on-stage and backstage in our main stage and workshop shows. "If I can't be in a show," she laughs, "then I like to be behind the scenes. I always want to be part of it!"

Nunsense is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., and plays Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm. from September 6 - October 5, with Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. on September 15 and 22. Tickets are $14.00 seniors and student, $17.00 general admission. Children 11 and under are $5.00. Call (916) 782-1777 for reservations.