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Play Is A Hard Habit To Break

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: March 18, 2009

TEMPLE TERRACE - A cast of performers at Masque Community Theatre is itching to present ... the rest of the story.

Today, March 20, it will debut the production of "Nunsense II", the sequel to Dan Googin's musical comedy "Nunsense I" that ran last year at Masque.

The play is set at Mount St. Helen's School, where the five nuns from the first production will be back on stage to present a thank-you program for the people who supported them in the original "Nunsense I" fundraising efforts. This time, however, the group is a bit feistier because of the success of the first production's variety-show formula.

In their second coming, they have been bitten by the theater bug as shown by their 20 high-spirited and sometimes hilarious song-and-dance routines.

Although three of the original cast members had to bow out, musical director Larry Bond, who oversees the project, is pleased with the actors in place.

Tricia Lynn is cast as Sister Mary Regina, the Reverend Mother; Justin Gonzalez plays the dual role of Sister Hubert and choreographer; Jessie Brosch is Sister Robert Anne; Ruth Kegel stars as Sister Mary Paul, alias Sister Amnesia; and Kayleigh Mollycheck is Sister Leo.

Sister Amnesia, who was hit on the head by a crucifix in the first production, remembers she was a former country singer who won the Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes that made the nuns instantly rich. Roller-skating fanatic Sister Leo, however, soon learns their wealth may be short-lived. The Franciscans are on their way to take their winnings and claim Sister Amnesia as one of their own.

Mollycheck, 23, a University of South Florida graduate with a degree in theater, who also played the role of Sister Leo in the previous production, admitted she had never been on roller skates before being selected for the performance.

Gonzalez recently stepped into his role as Sister Hubert when the original cast member bowed out. He is a senior studying musical theater at Blake High School. In the fall he will attend Roosevelt University, a theater conservatory in Chicago.

Bond calls longtime Masque performer and occasional director Ruth Kegel "amazing" because of her affinity for all things theatrical.

"The entire cast has come along marvelously," said Bond, who noted the five actors have been rehearsing since January. "They are having fun with it, which will make it fun for the audience.

"You don't have to be Catholic to laugh through this show," he said. "It's irreverent, but it's not over the top."

Production assistant and stage manager Shirley Oberton has been a longtime participant in Masque productions.

"This is just a fantastic show with a terrific cast," she said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: "Nunsense II"

WHERE: Masque Community Theatre, 8825 N. 56th St.

WHEN: March 20 to 22, 27 to 29 and April 3 to 5. Shows on Friday and Saturdays start at 8 p.m., and Sunday shows are at 2 p.m.

COST: Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for students, military personnel and ages 55 and older. Tickets for teenagers are $10, and children 12 and younger will be admitted for free. Tickets may be purchased at the door or www.masquetheatre.net.

INFORMATION: (813) 983-1710

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849.

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