Linz: “NO(N)SENSE” – Tour premiere in the Hotel Courtyard by Marriott Linz, Hall Dachstein, September 27, 204
Musical comedy (with dinner) by Dan GogginsGerman from Mark Weber and Thomas WoitkewitschEditing Benjamin Baumann
Final applause: Ryff, Paul, Kentzel, Eberlein, Reinhard, Sonderegger. Photo: Petra and Helmut Huber
The musical actresses trained in Graz Kira-Luisa Reinhard and Lisa-Maria Sonderegger met in the summer of 2020, which was certainly not a happy one for the performing profession, and decided, despite the gloomy outlook, to found an event company for dinner shows and concerts. Seat of “The Musical Sound“ is Leipzig.
The company’s latest production takes on the second-biggest off-Broadway success of all time (after “The Fantasticks“), which premiered on December 12, 1985: “Nun(n)sense“, directed by Karsten Kenzelmember of the ensemble at the Linz State Theater since 2019. We remember a stay in London in March 1986: “Interpreters“ (with Maggie Smith and Edward Fox, after all) or “Cats” or “42nd Street“ – no problem at all; but the “nun musical” was sold out for at least the next few months… well, we had to wait almost 40 years to get to know the piece. Has it stood the test of time well?
What it’s about: due to a gastronomic mishap, 52 members of the order “the Little Sisters of Hoboken” died in one fell swoop. 48 could be buried with the available financial resources, but there is no money for the last four dead, temporarily stored in the freezer, especially since an iPad was also cheekily purchased. So five of the nuns try to get it through a charity show.
To do this, there is a lot of use of old vaudeville traditions, ragtime, blues & swing, soul, funk and – in the sense of today’s adaptation – hip-hop and rap (Karsten Kenzel was also instrumental in the music – played by Konserve). Sanne Mielooalso from our state theater, as well as the choreographer Hannah Moana Paul). Precise playback of the playbacks Frizz Fischer and the video from Bobby Cornfordgeneral sound technology: Florian Burscha.
Well, a few jokes seem a bit outdated, and occasionally a punch line doesn’t quite hit the spot for linguistic or cultural reasons – but that’s about it for the objections. For the most part, however, the material glitters and sparkles, with the right crescendo over the act. In addition: what the actors unveil in terms of vocal and acting brilliance, precision and speed is truly breathtaking! Breathers are necessary in the piece, which is 100 minutes long, and these are provided for the audience through the menu passages inserted. Unsurprisingly, the sequence of dishes begins with the same dish that caused the disastrous starting point of the piece – but of course the audience survives, with increasing enjoyment and hilarity from act to act!
In the simple and functional stage suitable for touring (Philipp Spiegel & Annette Gralla, Licht: Ingo Achilles) speak, sing, dance and fool around: Mother Superior, who is often challenged and overwhelmed by the naive spontaneity of her fellow sisters Angela Eberleinher deputy “Maria Hubert” Kira-Luisa Reinhardwho of course could do everything better than the boss. Sister Robert Anne actually wanted to be a rapper, what skill Jeanne Rehein addition to safety in all other styles, also demonstrated very nicely. Through an accident with a falling cross, another sister became “Maria Amnesia”, portrayed in a delightful and complex way by Lisa-Maria Sonderegger. A very special ability brings Noa Joanna Ryff with: she also learned pointe dancing at the Friborg Conservatory, which she not only demonstrates in a classical way, but also combines it with tap dancing – with a probably unique combination of pointes and tap plates on her feet!
The nuns’ clothing – initially predominantly classic – was provided Kathy Herlbauer; In later phases of the piece it becomes shriller, and not just because of a hidden tutu…
Enthusiastic applause from the audience, who were not only well entertained by the successfully updated piece, but also pleasantly satiated; On September 28th there will be another performance in the hotel on Linz’s Franckstrasse, and then others in Austria and Germany until October 20th, when the last performance is scheduled for Romrod in Hesse.
Petra and Helmut Huber
