Gala Benefit Performance: Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class
On July 11, 2009 at 7PM a special Gala performance of Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class, a “One-Nun-sense Musical Event” by Dan Goggin, to benefit Playhouse on the Green, took place. Thanks to everyone who made this event such a success!
Photos by Mark Graham
Dan Goggin is presented with a Citation from the State of Connecticut and a Honorary Playhouse award from Playhouse board chair Christine Brown and Producing Artistic Director Matt Schicker. Photo by Mark Graham.
Producing Artistic Director Matt Schicker with Dan Goggin following the July 11 Gala performance of Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class. Photo by Mark Graham.
Dan Goggin speaks to supporters of Playhouse on the Green following the July 11 Gala performance of Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class. Photo by Mark Graham.
Playhouse board member and co-producer of Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class Scott Robbins with board chair Christine Brown. Photo by Mark Graham.
Playhouse board member Marvin Israel (second from left) with Heather Frimmer, Benjamin Frimmer, and Producing Artistic Director Matt Schicker. Photo by Mark Graham.
Producing Artistic Director Matt Schicker with actress Virginia Lity. Photo by Mark Graham.
Tickets to this one-night-only event included:
- pre-show cocktail hour.
- performance of Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class, a exclusive celebration of songs from the Nunsense series directed by award-winning composer Dan Goggin.
- post-show Q&A with Dan Goggin about his very “Nunny” career.
- post-show champagne reception with cast and author.
Deborah Del Mastro as Sister Robert Anne in Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class. Photo by Mark Graham.
Featuring:
Deborah Del Mastro as Sister Robert Anne
and
Leo Carusone as Our Musical Director, Father Carusone, a Franciscan Priest
Director: Dan Goggin
Lighting Design: Richard Latta
Sound Design: Jim De Vivo
Sound Operator: Jeep Ward
Light Board Operator: Donald Rowe
Spotlight Operator: Kevin McNair
Stage Manager: Patti Rice
BREAKING NEWS: Sister Robert Anne sings the National Anthem and throws the first ball at the Bridgeport Bluefish game on Tuesday, July 7. Check it out!
Deborah Del Mastro rehearses Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class with Leo P. Carusone.
ABOUT THE SHOW
When Dan Goggin discovered that Sister Robert Anne had 17 songs in the “Nunsense” Musical series he and musical director, Leo Carusone, realized “that was enough for an evening of its own.” And what could be better in these tough economic times than a “One-Nun-sense Musical Event.”
Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class is a celebration of the songs Sister Robert Anne has debuted in the six “Nunsense” musicals with two new songs from the upcoming seventh “Nunsense” called Nunset Boulevard: The Nunsense Hollywood Bowl Show. This sneak preview will mark the first public performance of the show prior to playing venues around the country.
ABOUT PLAYHOUSE ON THE GREEN
Playhouse on the Green is a 54-year-old 501(c)(3) not-for-profit theater company in residence at a beautiful 228-seat jewel-box theater in the heart of downtown Bridgeport, Connecticut. Playhouse on the Green’s mission is to enrich Bridgeport’s cultural life by providing an eclectic variety of live stage entertainment and arts education programs at an affordable cost, as well as providing opportunities for area artists. Among these programs are its mainstage season of plays and musicals; “Playhouse Greenhouse” and “Project Broadway”, it’s arts education programs for kids and teens; a Sunday evening series of music and comedy; and the “Page to Stage New Play Reading Series”, which brings the new work of Connecticut playwrights to the stage.
Deborah Del Mastro rehearses Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class with Leo P. Carusone.
WHO’S WHO
DAN GOGGIN (Writer/Director) came to New York from Alma, Michigan to study as a classical countertenor. He began his professional career singing in the Broadway production of Luther starring Albert Finney. While appearing in a comic folk-duo called “The Saxons” he began writing. This led to scores for the Off-Broadway musical, Hark! (in which he also appeared), the Broadway production of Legend and two revues. Goggin received the 1986 Outer Critics’ Circle Awards given to Nunsense for Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Music. His “nunless” musical Balancing Act has toured the U.S. and played in London and Australia. Nunsense and Nunsense 2: The Second Coming, both starring Rue McClanahan have been recorded for the A&E Television Network. Nunsense 3: The Jamboree toured the U.S. starring Georgia Engel and has been recorded for television at the Grand Ole Opry starring Vicki Lawrence. Nunsense A-Men! opened at the 47th Street Theatre in New York in June 1998 and has since been produced with “Laugh-Ins” Arte Johnson, impressionist Frank Gorshin, and Olympic Champion Greg Louganis. Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical premiered in October 1998, followed by a national tour starring Dody Goodman, Jeff Trachta and Dawn Wells. The Nuncrackers television special playing the PBS network starring Rue McClanahan with guest star John Ritter, received an Emmy nomination for Best Musical Score. Cast recordings of the shows as well as songbooks, videos and DVDs are available at 1-800-YES-NUNS. Dan’s project, Meshuggah-Nuns: The Ecumenical Nunsense premiered in September 2002 and is currently playing is several U.S. venues. The all-star touring production of Nunsense starring Kaye Ballard, Georgia Engel, Mimi Hines, Darlene Love and Lee Meriwether marked the 20th anniversary of the original show. In 2004 Dan’s “serious piece” The Traditional Latin Mass was recorded by cast members and friends. 2005 marks the premiere of the newest installment of shows, Nunsensations: The Nunsense Vegas Revue.
DEBORAH DEL MASTRO (Sister Robert Anne)
Deborah feels blessed to re-create the role of Sister Robert Anne one more time in her own One Nun show. A long time member of the Little Sisters of Hoboken, Deborah has originated Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense Jamboree, Nuncrackers, Meshuggah-Nuns! and Nunsensations – and can be heard on all cast cds as an original cast member. She has filmed Nunsense Jamboree with Vicki Lawrence, Nuncrackers with Rue McClanahan and Nunsensations! with the original cast. She has had the great pleasure of working with Lee Meriwether, Georgia Engel, Kaye Ballard, Vicki Lawrence, Sally Struthers, Dodie Goodman, Rue McClanahan and Marcia Wallace along with other wonderful stars and amazing colleagues. Along the way Deborah has also played roles such as Eliza Doolittle, Rhetta Cupp, Luisa (the Girl), Miss Jones and Patsy Cline as well as appearing in Forbidden Broadway, Side By Side By Sondheim and is also a Beach Blanket Babylon San Francisco alumni. Ms. Del Mastro has also sung in many Big Bands and Jazz Combos, has performed her own one-woman show at the Plush Room in San Francisco and has opened for Bob Newhart, Neil Sedaka, and Al Green and has worked with Tony Sandler of Sandler and Young . As a U.S. Navy Band veteran, she is, indeed, playing the trumpet! Of all the roles Deborah has played in her long and varied career, she is most proud of her role as Mom to Sarah and Jackson. Many blessings and thanks to Danny, Paul, Scott, Teri and Leo and thanks to you for supporting this wonderful theater company. Many blessings to all of you!
LEO P. CARUSONE (Musical Director/Father Carusone, a Franciscan Priest) recently conducted Mel Brooks’ The Producers and Phantom by Yeston/Kopit at the Westchester Broadway Theater. Mr. Carusone was musical director for the York Theater production of Little Me working with Cy Coleman. He was Musical Director for the 20th all-star anniversary tour of Nunsense, The Music Man starring Burke Moses and Teri Dale Hansen, and The Sound of Music with Burke Moses and Marla Schaffel. He was musical director for the video of Nuncrackers - A Christmas Nunsense starring Rue Mc Clanahan and Nunsense A-Men! in New York City. Other conducting credits include Cats national tour, the national tour of Annie starring JoAnne Worley/Marcia Lewis and John Schuck, Nunsense with Georgia Engel, My Fair Lady with Jamie Farr, Chess with Willy Falk, and Nunsense Jamboree starring Vicki Lawrence at Cherry County Playhouse in Michigan. He also musical directed the TNN Television performance of Nunsense Jamboree with Ms. Lawrence as well as the New York and Boston Companies of Nunsense. Mr. Carusone musical directed for Starlight Musicals in Indianapolis leading orchestras for Kiss Me, Kate starring Judy Kaye, John Raitt in Carousel and Shenandoah, Lucie Arnaz and Lawrence Luckinbill in I Do! I Do!, and The Student Prince with David Eisler to name a few. He also wrote all the vocal and musical arrangements for the new Nunsense - Nunsensations!, Meshuggah-Nuns, and Nuncrackers - A Christmas Nunsense, all are currently out on CD.
