Meshuggah-Nuns!
Written by Dan Goggin; Directed by Monica Maddock; Musical Direction by Ray Naccari; Choreography by Viginia Harmon
Maggie’s Little Theater at St. Margaret Parish | 66-11 79th Place, Middle Village, NY 11379
March 23 - April 6
As in Maggie’s Little Theater fashion, I was greeted by smiles and warmth. This time, a stage set oddly similar to Anything Goes was added to the mix. Little did I know, this theatre experience would be a mix in itself.
Blue and white walls, nautical round-bolted windows, and a white-painted bitten apple lit up the theater. Next to the apple, the logo of the cruise line we were about to embark on read “Eden Cruise Lines,” and being an audience member familiar with the Nunsense series, I couldn’t help but chuckle out of satisfaction.
If you aren't familiar with the Nunsense nuns or Dan Goggin’s work, there's no need to fret. Backstories are explained, and the characters are completely loveable. As I sat, continuously smiling, I was thoroughly entertained by the Nuns I have come to know and love, as well as some new characters.
You see, Reverend Mother (played by Director, Monica Maddock), Sister Mary Hubert (Brooke Lynn McGowan), Sister Robert Anne (Kirsitin Robles), and Sister Mary Paul (Alie Campbell) join Howard Liszt (Alan Perkins), the Jewish actor leading the cruise’s production of Fiddler on the Roof. Here’s the problem: the cast of Fiddler got sick, and Howard has joined forces with the Nuns to bring a variety show to the people. As you can imagine, this is a set up for jokes galore.
During this endeavor the nuns learn yiddish, Howard learns a bit about convent life while his preconceived notions about nuns are shattered. The Catholics and the Jew embrace each other’s differences with musical numbers, costumes, impersonations, parodies of musicals old and new, and a magic show (yes, a magic show!).
The ensemble which includes Paul Mastrella, Ben Kaminski, Nydia Blackshear, and Regina Lim Fischedick round out Virginia Harmon’s shining choreography and Maddock’s direction with unmatched energy. They brought the house down with their individual characters, expressions, and all around magical chemistry with the nuns and Howard.
The whole cast was a tight unit and Maddock led a tight and smooth-sailing ship. With audience participation from the very start (the cast greets you in the audience), the show ends with a sing-along. Make sure you hold onto your playbills, as there is a lyric sheet inside, which you’ll need. Everyone was a part of the show, and Maggie’s production of Meshuggah-Nuns! made sure it happened.
The big takeaway from this hilarious production is, despite your religion or background, when you’re laughing, “you’re just laughing.” Laugher brings people together. It’s the catalyst to recognizing we have more in common than we think. I thank Maggie’s for this experience, full of twists, turns, hilarious hijinks, and heartfelt moments.
Meshuggah-Nuns! is running weekends until April 6th. Get your tickets for a few hours of pure laughter here:
Review by Amanda Montoni
Published by Theatre Beyond Broadway on March 31st, 2025. All rights reserved.