NUNCRACKERS: THE NUNSENSE CHRISTMAS MUSICAL, through Dec. 22, Grove Theatre, (801-796-8499). Running time: two hours, 15 minutes (one intermission).
PLEASANT GROVE — From pre-show antics to the slam-bang finale, the Grove Dinner Theater's production of "Nuncrackers" provides the audience with a nearly nonstop evening of belly laughs and guffaws.
The Little Sisters of Hoboken are at it again with the fourth in the series of "Nunsense" comedies about life in a convent with a rather eclectic collection of nuns (all with the first name Mary).
This go-around, the sisters are taping a Christmas benefit program in the basement of the convent, which now houses WWJD-TV — site of the Catholic Home Shopping Service and featuring the cooking talents of Sister Julia Child of God and her Festival Food Fantasy Frolic. The home-shopping segment includes Mother Superior introducing "Confession Perfume (by Nun Scents) . . . for people who really smell," and Saint Victoria Secret's "Nunderbra."
The acting troupe for this production consists of five talented women, one man, a two-person back-up band and children portraying students from the convent's parochial school.
The nuns include Mother Superior Mary Regina (Jane Williams), Sister Mary Hubert (Gayliene Omary), Sister Mary Robert Anne (Jan Shelton); Sister Mary Paul, a k a Sister Amnesia (Sarah Brobert); and Sister Mary Leo (Melissa Higley). Then there's Father Virgil Manly Trott (Joshua Tenney), and on keyboard, Saint Leisel (Leisel Doxey-Crapo), and on drums Sister Mary Steven (Steve Pay).
Some cast members are no strangers to their characters. The trio of Williams, Omary and Shelton have played these women before and have made the Hoboken convent a real habit. Their smooth interaction and comic timing is priceless.
To warm up the Utah County crowds, Sister Robert Anne throws out such lines as, "Isn't that great? Notre Dame kicked BYU's butt . . . wait a minute, everybody kicked their butts. Well, it's OK, they're special spirits anyway."
Or this one: "I see a lot of you in the audience wearing those CTR rings. You know that stands for Catholics Totally Rule."
While this is billed as a musical comedy, there are also some very touching moments, including Father Virgil's song, "I Have a Special Gift," Sister Robert Anne's Nativity song and Mother Superior's zippy "Old Time Carnival Christmas"
Audience participation is also part of the entertainment, including a sing-a-long and a bingo game.
E-MAIL: pugmire@desnews.com