--And Then There Was Nun
by Bruce W. Gilray, Richard T. Witter

--And Then There Was Nun Book Cover
--And Then There Was Nun Cover

Highlights

120 mins 1950s Interior Set Period Costumes American Comedy

Synopsis

¿And Then There Was Nun is written in the style of a classic 1940¿s murder mystery; and is a blend of humor and who-dun-it as the actors emulate iconic movie stars of the past

Take one foreboding mansion on a secluded island, throw in ten whacked-out members of The Holy Order of the Sisters of San Andreas, stir in their unseen and mysterious leader, add an assortment of the sharpest tongues this side of Hollywood and Vine; then infuse with a healthy dose of some of the most famous lines in cinema (slightly warped).

Roast well in a preheated treasure trove of movie facts, trivia, legends and gossip for two acts, sit back and savor.

¿And Then There Was Nun is a treat for movie buffs and non-movie buffs alike

Actors who take on the personas parodied in this play will be creatively challenged to mold their performances with the mannerisms and vocal styles of famous actors of the past, having an amazingly fun experience along the way.

Press Reviews

"A gas... over the top and as thick as the North Pasture. Needless to add, the audience loved every single second of it."

— Drama-Logue

"The nun's story to end all nun's stories... leagues above most comedies and the laughs come nonstop."

— Frontiers

"A captivating mystery... Bruce Gilray and Richard Witter... created a work that's a joy for actors."

— The Press Telegram

"What more could a movie buff desire? A killer evening of hilarity."

— The Daily Breeze

"Plan a social evening with friends and buy a group of tickets for one of the funniest and entertaining evenings on the current theatre scene in Los Angeles."

— The Tolucan

Characters

Character
Sister Hattie

Similar to Mammy in Gone With The Wind. She is the housekeeper at the retreat. While loyal to Sister Vivien, she definitely has a mind of her own. She is attired in a full-length black skirt, white shirt and full-length white apron. A black-and-white bandana and nun’s wimple adorn her head. She wears a full-length red petticoat under her black skirt.

Sister Vivien

Similar to Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With The Wind. She is the ambitious, calculating, conceited social director. A woman who will stop at nothing to become the head of the Order. She is attired in a black-and-white hoop dress and a black-and-white nun’s wimple and wears a ring mirror on her finger and carries a fan.

Sister Joan

Similar to Blanche Hudson in Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? She is the invalid sister of Sister Bette. She is attired in a black evening gown with padded shoulders. She wears black spike heels with ankle straps. On top of a 40s-style hairdo is a black-and-white nun’s wimple. She spends most of the play in a wheelchair.

Sister Bette

Similar to Baby Jane Hudson in Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? She is a middle-aged, demented woman who mentally tortures her invalid sister, Sister Joan. She is attired in a white, old-fashioned child’s dress, black-and-white striped stockings and black Mary Jane shoes. Her blond curls hang out from under a black-and white nun’s wimple. Her make-up is of a white, grotesque type.

Sister Gloria

Similar to Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. She is an aged, spaced-out, silent film star. Though coherent, she generally lives in her own world. She is attired in a 50s-style flared-leg pantsuit/skirt. She wears heavy makeup. She wears a turban with a large feather and a black-and-white nun’s wimple. One curl peeks out under the turban on her forehead. She frequently uses a finger-held cigarette holder.

Sister Tallulah

Similar to Tallulah Bankhead in every movie she ever made. She is freewheeling, hard-drinking and outspoken. She is attired in a satin, tea-length evening gown. She wears a black-and-white wimple over her wavy, shoulder-length auburn hair.

Sister Katharine

Similar to Ethel Thayer in On Golden Pond. She is a tough, seasoned and determined woman. Her speech is tremored. She is attired in a black pantsuit with a white turtleneck shirt. She wears a black-and-white wimple, upon which a bun covered in a hairnet is attached. The headdress resembles Queen Eleanor in The Lion in Winter.

Sister Mae

Similar to Lady Lou in She Done Him Wrong. She is a sultry, wisecracking woman of ample endowment. She is attired in a black-and-white form-fitting sequined evening gown with matching feather boa. On top of her bleached blonde hair is a black-and-white nun’s wimple. At the beginning of the play, she wears an oversized hat.

Sister Judy

Similar to Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz. She is a young, innocent, bubbly girl from Kansas. She carries a mechanical toy dog that barks on command and with whom she converses. She is attired in a checkered, black-and-white farm girl-type dress. (This will change once during the play to a matching dress in blue-and-white checks). She wears white bobby socks and black pumps. (She will change to blue bobby socks and red ruby shoes during the play). Her long auburn hair is in braids with bows matching her dress and a black-and-white nun’s wimple.

Sister Marilyn

Similar to Sugar Kane in Some Like It Hot. She is a voluptuous, dumb-blonde-type who thinks the best of everyone. She is attired in a 50s-style flowing, white pleated dress. She wears matching spiked heels. Her blonde hair is adorned by a black-and-white nun’s wimple.

Sister Alfred

Similar to Alfred Hitchcock in both voice and stature. He is the narrator. He wears a black suit, white shirt, thin black tie and a black-and-white nun’s wimple.

Publication

Publisher Samuel French
Year 2010
Binding Paperback
Edition Samuel French a ed.
Pages 124
Place New York
Language English
ISBN-13 9780573697883
ISBN-10 0573697884
LCCN 2011562571
LCC PS3607.I454 A843 2010

--And Then There Was Nun is a American comedy play written by Bruce W. Gilray and published by Samuel French in New York (2010).

Digital editions available on Amazon Kindle .

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Performance Rights

Available for Licensing
Amateur Only
Fee: Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

Restrictions: Major Markets Only (US) / Standard Restriction (UK)

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