Many of the productions that happen in the lower level of St. Bonaventure, you would be surprised to see there. For example, The Shady Lady was about a man having multiple affairs and embezzling money. However, this musical is exactly what you would picture taking place in a church basement.

In a tragic accident, 52 nuns died from eating bad soup. They ran out of money after burying 48 of them, and buying a 3D HD Flatscreen TV. So, the sisters are putting on a show to raise money to lay to rest the last four.

It’s a very light hearted family and religion friendly show, which can’t be said of many of SSP’s other productions. There are some laughs, but not nearly as many as in other shows by the Saint Sebastian Players.  

The cast consists of Lauren Miller (Boeing-Boeing), Karyn Louise Doerfler, Heidi Mansfield, Kay Flynn, and Allison Ristaino.

Cost of a ticket: $35

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Half Price –

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Get tickets now for Nunsense through November 12^th.

Quinn Delaney

 

It begins as a minstrel show. Before long, the characters snap out of it and discover they are real people trapped in the show. They spot the playwright in the audience. They drag him on stage and proceed to beat him up. Afterwards, they put on a rap show. Bones loves to rap about making big money. Tambo wants to address systematic racism in America.

Dave Harris has written a very dark comedy that is a quite unique and bizarre theatre experience that leaves the audience trying to make sense of it. In this production, there are extremely bright lights and very loud noises. Earplugs would be a good idea for the rap concert scene.

William Anthony Sebastian Rose II (Whistleblower) is intense as Tambo, always trying to address the issues of racism. Patrick Newson Jr. is excellent as Bones, on a quest to find as many quarters as he can. Lastly, Timothy Bernard Felton and Michael-Ellen (Mikey) Walden are solid in their supporting roles.

See the program here.

Cost of a ticket: $31

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It –

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Get tickets now for Tambo & Bones through November 11!

Quinn Delaney

Barns Courtney and his band kick things off with a bang on “Fun Never Ends” from his 2019 album, 404. It’s a full throttle rock song with a driving beat and he keeps his foot on the gas pedal for the entire set.

A few songs later they play “Hobo Rocket” from the 2017 album, The Attractions of Youth. This song blends rock with a Beastie Boys style of hip hop. It’s impressive how well he combines these genres.

Up next is “Supernatural”, a 2022 single. This one is a fantastic rock ballad similar to the alternative rock style of Welshly Arms.

Soon afterwards, Barns Courtney hits another genre with “Little Boy”. It’s a pure folk rock jam reminiscent of a fellow English band, Mumford and Sons.

Next up is “Glitter & Gold”, which is his top track on Spotify with over 188 million streams. This one is a real rocker and it’s no surprise that it is a massive hit with it’s great sound.  

To close out the night, he plays “Fire”. Everyone sings together “Oh give me that fire / Burn, burn, burn” as he crowd surfs among his fans. It’s a fantastic closer that had just as much energy and passion as the opener. It definitely left the audience wanting more.

See a recent setlist here.

Cost of a ticket: $32.50

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Exceptional Value

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Quinn Delaney

The children are home for the holidays and are hosting a party. The son has his head mostly in his phone playing a game. The daughter is also usually on her phone talking to her friends. The father is a recovering alcoholic who just started going to AA meetings. The new wife doesn’t like the housekeeper. Her ex-husband was just released from prison after 18 months. The old wife killed herself in the house and now she haunts it as a ghost.

Mia McCullough (Chagrin Falls) has written a story about a very disfunctional family. The first half of the play sets the scene for a more dramatic second half that includes talk about suicide and a gun.

Nathan Hile (Chicago debut) is great as the son, annoyed by everyone that interrupts his game. Tea Baum (Chicago debut) is very funny as Rox, who is consumed by her dating life. Doug Mackechnie is superb as the father, struggling with his new sobriety. Jennifer Jelsema is solid as the new wife, trying to make the house feel like her own. Cindy Gold is splendid as the housekeeper, who became the main mother figure after the old wife died. Joe Zarrow is excellent as the ex-husband, who just wants to spend more time with his daughter. Suzanne Petri is good as the voice of Julia, the doll. Lastly, Ilyssa Fradin is ghostly as the ex-wife, still watching out for her son and making things difficult for the new wife.

Get tickets now for Household Spirits through November 11^th.

Cost of a ticket: $36

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Half Price +

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Quinn Delaney