Five nuns are on stage at Mt. Saint Helen’s School, performing a “Thank You Program” for their supporters in this zany musical comedy.

Nunsense II will have you singing along with the Nuns and laughing till your face hurts.

~Photos and Review by Dana Nöllsch~

Nunsense II, The Story

Mt. Saint Helen’s School was the scene of much drama in the original Nunsense, and in this sequel, the nuns are back with a variety show that only these sisters could come up with. But don’t worry if you missed the original Nunsense; they will catch you up for Nunsense II.

The show centers around Reverend Mother Mary Regina, played by Marti Creveling, as she directs her cast. Navigating the hilarity Reverend Mother Mary Regina discovers that teamwork brings divine inspiration. 

There is Rollerskating, Bingo, Country Music, Circus Acts, A Jailed Nun, Rampaging Franciscans, and more in this divinely hilarious production. 

Featured musical numbers include “Nunsense: The Magic Word,” “Winning is Just the Beginning,” “The Biggest Still Ain’t Best,” “The Padre Polka,” “A Hat and Cane Song,” “We’re the Nuns to Come to When You Go,” “What Would Elvis Do?”, “I Am Here to Stay,” “What a Catastrophe,” “No One Cared Like You,” “There’s Only One Way to End Your Prayers.”

The Performances

The actors bring the fun of the show to the audience, even inviting the audience to sing along with them. The performances are top-notch; the actors make the complexities of combining slapstick comedy with singing and dancing look easy.

These are actors with experience on stage, and here is a bit of background for each actor taken from the playbill.

Marti Creveling Reverend Mother Mary Regina


Marti is excited to be back with the little sisters of Hoboken. 
She has been performing in one way or another for almost 50 years. Favorite roles include, Mrs. Baker in Butterflies Are Free, Roz in 9 to 5, The Narrator in Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson, and Mother Abess in The Sound of Music. Marti has played a nun SO many times that she should own her own habit! 

Cindy Sabatini ~ Sister Mary Hubert & Musical Director

Cindy has a passion for music and has performed in or musically directed theater productions in the Reno/Sparks/Carson City/Lake Tahoe area for Sierra School of the Performing Arts, NV Civic Light Opera, Western NV Musical Theater Company, Truckee Community Theater, and Spanish Springs HS since moving here from WA State in 1998. Some favorite roles include Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, Ursula in The Little Mermaid, Golde in Fiddler on The Roof, Rizzo in Grease, Sally Bowles in Cabaret, and Aldonza in Man of La Mancha. Her diverse musical background includes productions in 6 states, vocalist in classical, jazz, Christian, and oldies rock groups. She is vocalist for Reno’s Biggest Little Big Band, Route 66 Rock ‘n Roll Band, and a member of the Reno Philharmonic Chorus where she had the thrill of performing at Carnegie Hall!  

Emily Hammer ~ Sister Mary Leo

Emily is a classically trained singer who performs in six different languages. Her experience ranges from classical oratorio/opera and musical theatre to rock, jazz and punk. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Voice from CSU, Chico, where she was the recipient of various musical scholarships. She owned and operated Hammer Productions, which produced two live stage shows at John Ascuaga’s Nugget, Sweet and Lowdown: a Gershwin Revue, and an original musical production she co-wrote and produced with her brother, Visceral. She has performed all over the Reno/Tahoe area for many years both professionally and at the community level. One of her favorite roles was Christine Daae in Nevada Civic Light Opera’s production of Phantom of the Opera. 

Amy Nielson ~ Sister Robert Anne

Amy is thrilled to be back for her third production with Sparks United Methodist Church. She played in Cotton Patch Gospel and Nunsense.  High school credits include Oklahoma, West Side Story, The Wiz, Sweet Charity, Pippin, and Grease. Local credits include Voices from the Past in Virginia City, AVA Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, Sierra School of Performing Arts productions of Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde, and Annie, and Inner Rhythms production of Chicago. 

Yvonne Logan ~ Sister Mary Amnesia

Yvonne is honored to be a part of the Nunsense cast once again! She began performing with Truckee Community Theater in 2015 in The King and I. Since then, she has performed in The Crucible, Bye Bye Birdie, 9 to 5, Nunsense, Once on This Island, A Year With Frog and Toad, White Christmas and most recently, Avenue Q. When not playing on stage with her fellow actors, she laughs and plays with her PreK students at Kings Beach Elementary. Her favorite Broadway musical is Hairspray. 

I have to give a shout-out to John Paul Rivard, who lends his considerable talent to the direction and choreography of Nunsense II.

The Church is the Stage

The stage is at the Sparks United Methodist Church, a perfect location, and the ambiance of this church is just right for Nunsense II. Sitting in the pews and enjoying the show is a Joyous experience. 

I hope to see more productions from the Sparks United Methodist Church.

Why should you see Nunsense II?

Nunsense II is a beautiful escape that will recharge your soul, and you will enjoy nonstop hilarity. See Nunsense II if you want a laugh-a-minute musical experience. 

Nunsense II: The Second Coming

Written By Dan Goggin

Directed/Choreographer by John Paul Rivard

Performance Dates

Sparks United Methodist Church

1231 Pyramid Way, Sparks NV

April 21-23 & 28-30 (2 shows on the 29th)

For Tickets and more information, go to: www.sparksumc.org

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