"Nunsense" - by Dan Goggin - The Majestic Theater (West Springfield, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: The CAST of the musical "NUNSENSE" by Dan Goggin now playing at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, MA. through October 11, 2026. Photo Credit Kait Rankins)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“Robert, I've about had it with you. One more time and you'll be the DYING nun!”
- ("Rev. Mother") - Dan Goggin
THE MAJESTIC THEATER
Presents the Dan Goggin Musical
"NUNSENSE"
Book, Music and Lyrics by Dan Goggin
Founding Producing Director Danny Eaton
Producing Artistic Director / Director Sue Dziura
Music Director Elisabeth Weber
Choreographer Elaine Hom
Cast Includes: Marty Bongfeldt* as “Mother Superior Mary Regina,” Destini Stewart* as “Sister Mary Hubert,” Lori Holmes Clark* as “Sister Robert Anne,” Caelie Scott Flanagan as “Sister Mary Amnesia,” Rachel Ballasy as “Sister Mary Leo,” Elaine Hom as “U/S Regina/Hubert/Robert Anne,” Amanda Urquhart Tilghman as “U/S Amnesia/Leo.”
Additional Creative Team:
Production Manager - Marcus Kearns; Stage Manager - Iaslyn Lewis*; Production Assistant - Michael Garcia; Dance Captain - Lori Holmes Clark*; Scenic Designer - Juliana Von Haubrich; Lighting Designer - Daniel David Rist; Costume Designer - Dawn McKay; Sound Designer - Ryan Hickey; Sound Mixer - Mark Weber; Second Carpenter - Kevin Tracy; Wardrobe Mistress - Christine Thompson; Props Supervisor - Dana Weintraub; Covid Compliance Officer - Carol Rucinski.
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
Performances:
September 3, 2026 through October 11, 2026
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
MAJESTIC THEATER, 131 Elm Street, West Springfield, MA. 01089
TICKETS:
For tickets and more information, contact the MAJESTIC THEATER box office by phone at # 413-747-7797 or visit www.majestictheater.com
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
As Massachusetts advances once more into cooler weather, anyone in need of a hot time should visit the good "Little Sisters of Hoboken" who are big on delivering musical merriment in "NUNSENSE" from The Majestic Theater in West Springfield.
This is a fabulously clever staging performed on a simply gorgeous set and, even if you have seen this show before, you will not want to miss this production.
Admittedly, in many regional theatre circles, when one hears of a production of "NUNSENSE" being staged, the reaction invariably tends to be the same.
"What? Again? Really?"
Which is usually then followed by the query, "Why?"
True, "NUNSENSE," which premiered in 1985 and ran for over 3,600 performances Off-Broadway, has since become a veritable community theatre “staple”, a show performed regularly year to year by dozens, if not hundreds, of amateur theatre groups across the country.
However, it doesn't make it a bad show.
In fact, it is a thoroughly delightful little show with fun characters and witty ditties.
(Photo: The CAST of the musical "NUNSENSE" by Dan Goggin now playing at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, MA. through October 11, 2026. Photo Credit Kait Rankins)
There is enough amusement here to entertain even those of us “heathens” who may have seen it countless times.
There is also a very good financial reason for this. It tends to be reliable in bringing in paying audiences.
It is also reliable in it has a moderately low level of difficulty for most groups to stage.
Which means it also tasks creative teams to rise to the challenge of offering audiences perhaps something new, unique or something they might not have seen before from prior productions.
well, it is obvious that the always reliable creative team under director Sue Dziura has certainly met the above challenge head on for this latest Majestic Theater production.
Probably the most reliable thing about the show is the material which, even after 41 years, is still quite good (even if a few of the Catholic faith references may go over the heads of some folks).
"NUNSENSE" has also spawned numerous sequels, some working better than others, but all exist because theatre goers continuously enjoy the cast of characters and the concept.
Written by Dan Goggin, the music is pleasant, the dialogue crisp and fun with the characters quite enthusiastic and appealing.
The five actresses involved in this latest production by The Majestic Theater are also all quite reliable in their performances and the pacing throughout is brisk.
(Photo: Destini Stewart as “Sister Mary Hubert" and Rachel Ballasy as “Sister Mary Leo” in a moment from the musical "NUNSENSE" by Dan Goggin now playing at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, MA. through October 11, 2026. Photo Credit Kait Rankins)
"NUNSENSE" invites the audience to be witness to a live benefit performance given by five surviving nuns of a one-time missionary order that began its mission by aiding a leper colony near France.
The current day order of nuns loses 19 members of their order when their cook, "Sister Julia, Child of God," accidentally poisons them with her tainted soup.
Most of the deceased have been buried but funds are apparently still required to bury the remaining nuns (stored in a frozen locker) because the Rev. Mother Superior Mary Regina (Marty Bongfeldt) spent money on a luxury item for the convent instead of using funds to bury them.
So, the sisters decide to stage a variety show in the Mount Saint Helen's School auditorium to raise the balance needed.
The Majestic Theater stage is adorned with set pieces from an 8th grade musical production of “Grease” but many of the items are used during the show by the Mother Superior and three other nuns along with Sister Mary Regina’s second-in-command, Sister Mary Hubert (Destini Stewart).
Stewart as Sister Mary Hubert proves the perfect foil for the stubborn, inflexible Mother Superior, always offering counterpoints (or verbal "counterpunches") with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, leading to many hilarious exchanges between the two throughout the show.
Joining the Mother Superior and Sister Mary Hubert are Sisters Robert Anne (Lori Holmes Clark), Mary Leo (Rachel Ballasy) and Mary Amnesia (Caelie Scott Flanagan).
(Photo: Marty Bongfeldt as “Mother Superior Mary Regina” in a moment from the musical "NUNSENSE" by Dan Goggin now playing at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, MA. through October 11, 2026. Photo Credit Kait Rankins)
There is an undeniable camaraderie among The Majestic Theater cast of actresses that grabs hold of us right from the start of the show.
In addition, as capably directed Sue Dziura with some entertaining choreography by Elaine Hom, each of the actresses performs exceptionally well in their solo segments, in particular Flanagan with her hilarious number, “So You Want to Be a Nun,” and the revelatory Act Two number, “I Could Have Gone To Nashville.”
Amnesia briefly works as ventriloquist/puppeteer with her potty-mouth puppet, "Sister Mary Annette," who “helps” Amnesia with the shocking "So You Want to Be a Nun," an extremely clever moment in the show that might even result in some actual nuns on the run.
Ballasy as Sister Mary Leo beams as the earnest, ballet-loving novice, providing a youthful innocence and exceling in the show's more physical comedy and dance moments.
Clark as the tough, streetwise comedic foil and edgy Sister Robert Anne also impresses with her number "I Just Want To Be a Star."
The onstage Majestic Theater band (all dressed as monks, which makes one wonder of they unofficially called themselves the “New Monk-ees”), as conducted by the show’s music director Elisabeth Weber, elevated the shows’ musical moments.
(Photo: Lori Holmes Clark as “Sister Robert Anne” in a moment from the musical "NUNSENSE" by Dan Goggin now playing at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, MA. through October 11, 2026. Photo Credit Kait Rankins)
After 40 years, the show "NUNSENSE" is now very much showing its age with more than a few dated Catholic school or religious references lost on members of the audience.
To counter this, there are some ad lib exchanges made with The Majestic audience that take place which has always been, and continues to be, a huge part of that “reliable” charm of the show.
Bongfeldt is completely in her element keeping all the other nuns in line…that is, until the end of Act One as the Rev. Mother descends into a temporary madness after ingesting a “mood altering substance” on stage.
As a more meaningful moment, there is a musical nod to "Growing Up Catholic" well executed by the nuns.
Other standout numbers include "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" led by Sister Mary Regina and the group number "Holier Than Thou" led by Sister Mary Hubert.
(Photo: The CAST of the musical "NUNSENSE" by Dan Goggin now playing at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, MA. through October 11, 2026. Photo Credit Kait Rankins)
As Paul stated in First Corinthians (7:29) "The time is short" - So, as long as it does not become "habit forming," folks should definitely try and catch the hilarious "NUNSENSE" before it is given last rites at the Majestic Theater on October 11th, 2026.
Up next at the Majestic Theater will be Ken Ludwig's "LEND ME A TENOR" which runs from October 22nd until November 29th, 2026.
For tickets and more information, contact the Majestic Theater box office by phone at # 413-747-7797 or visit www.majestictheater.com
BUY TICKETS
Approximately two hours with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Dan Goggin's musical "NUNSENSE" makes its glorious entrance as THE MAJESTIC THEATER's season opener, equipped with quick wit, big laughs, and enough joyful chaos to keep the Little Sisters of Hoboken praying for order.
This classic crowd‑pleaser - an international sensation performed in more than 8,000 productions worldwide and winner of four Outer Critics Circle Awards - makes its first‑ever appearance on THE MAJESTIC THEATER stage, bringing a fresh burst of holy hilarity to kick things off.
Follow the lovable Little Sisters of Hoboken as they scramble to throw together a fundraiser to help them bury a few sisters from the convent!
ABOUT THE MAJESTIC THEATER
Locally-produced professional live theater since 1997. Before it was a live theater, local residents may remember THE MAJESTIC THEATER as a movie house. It has since been renovated and reimagined to bring live performances to the West Springfield area, giving local performance and technical artists the opportunity to thrive. Every season at THE MAJESTIC consists of five productions (including at least one musical) featuring local actors. In addition to the subscription season, the summer includes children's theater, concerts, plays, open mic nights, and improvisational comedy shows. Recently named the best place to see live theater in the Pioneer Valley in the Valley Advocate Readers' Poll, THE MAJESTIC THEATER continues to offer great theater thanks to the support and generosity of its 4200+ subscribers.
131 Elm Street
West Springfield, MA. 01089
# 413-747-7797
