Thầy Pháp Cẩn: Nunsense- a Nice Play

Phap Can

I have lived in the U.S. for about two years, yet this is the first time I enjoy a play. In Seminole State College Fine arts Theatre, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2014, Nunsense takes place during about two hours. I am impressed by a group of seven Catholic nuns who perform beautifully. I still wonder how nuns can perform as marvelously as professional artists.

Dan Goggin, the playwright, “came to New York from Alma, Michigan to study as a singer.” “He began writing while appearing in a comic folk-duo called The Saxons. The first show he wrote the music for was Hark. In 1986 Goggin received the Outer Critics’ Circle Awards given to Nunsense for Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Music. Nunsense, in addition to running 10 years in New York City, has now run in thousands of theatres around the world.”

Before going there, I have to call for reservation. Nobody answers me, but they later call back to confirm. I arrive alone at 7:00 p.m. to purchase $10.00 one ticket. Luckily, I am a current student with Mr. Eric Craft- the technical director of this play- as my professor, so I do not have to pay for my ticket. My reserved seat is 104, the first row of section B, which I can see and hear clearly. It is good for a new international student like me, who cannot really understand American arts well.

There are about one hundred and fifty people in attendance. I recognize a girl who is my classmate, too. First, a few nuns come from the entrance. They are both white and colour, yet young and friendly. They come to the audience area to have polite and short conversations such as how are you, where are you from, how do you feel tonight? please raise your hand if you are Catholic, etc. I am learning Introduction to Oral Communication class, so I know they are investigating audience to adapt before their speech. Also, they use eyes contact, voice contact to audience that make audience feel involved and friendly. Then one nun invites us to make a specific action to welcome Reverend Mother, Katie Lawrie, who comes in a few minutes. A music band is after the stage. Reverend Mother comes! She is about thirty-five years old, but she seems to be respected by other nuns. After the introduction, the play starts.

I have not had enough Western and Catholic culture to really enjoy the play. Sometimes, I have to guess situations. However, I see the professionalism in Nunsense. Seven nuns perform excellent. They use postures, gestures and movements to emphasize what they tell, discuss, ask, sing, dance, and even sleep. The audience applauds from time to time. Reverend Mother once says, “You don’t need to applaud continuously.” The music is harmonious for the scene. The light is suitable, also.

The audience shows good manners. Although only more than ten audience are Catholic, the audience is interested in enjoying. They do not make noise. Nobody talks. Sometimes, a person drinks water, but in silence. The play has stopped for fifteen minutes, so the audience can buy something to drink, to wash their face, or to donate.

The play started again and then finished. All the nuns go to the gate to say goodbye to audience. I could see clearly Reverend Mother: ageless, humane, confident, and very nice so that I amusingly ask her, “Why don’t you join a beauty contest?” She laughs. I also ask to take photos with the nuns. All nuns, with smiles, manifest peace and joy. They reveal a special kind of freedom, a special kind of happiness that may transcend the secular happiness and freedom.

Because it is the first time I observe a western play in the U. S., I do not experience other western plays to compare. Nonetheless, Nunsense makes me happy, for the nuns perform excellently. The music is live; the light is well-adjusted; the audience is excited, which support Nunsense to present wonderfully. Both the cast and the crew have worked hard to collaborate with each other in order to show a perfect play. It is a relaxed night! I would like to thank to professor Eric Craft, who gave me permission to join the useful play. I also thank to Mrs. Ann McGee, the president, who may silently support the play so that it can present here in our college. For me, I am grateful to learn western arts such as what Nunsense represents at Seminole State College.