Take a bissel of “Fiddler on the Roof,” throw in a few Hail Marys and — Bingo!
No, really, you get Bingo. During the intermission of TheatreNow’s Jewish-Catholic bouillabaisse “Meshuggah-Nuns,” the audience is treated to Bingo games, with rather Jewish prizes, such as, say, Passover-friendly macaroons.
The Marin-based theater group is presenting the latest of playwright Dan Goggin’s Little Sisters of Hoboken musicals, the plot of which involves the four singing nuns joining with Tevye to entertain passengers on a cruise ship. But, really, it’s all just an excuse to sock out numbers such as “Contrition” (to the tune of “Tradition” from “Fiddler”) and “If I Were a Catholic” (from another “Fiddler” song that we don’t even have to mention).
And, don’t tell anybody, but Sister Mary Amnesia is Jewish.
“I had to pull in my father to help with one of the Yiddish phrases we use,” said Kayla Gold, who portrays Sister Mary.
Daniel Goldberg was able to instruct the cast in the proper way to pronounce M’ken shtarbn frun gelekhter (I could die laughing).
And, speaking of dying of laughter, Gold gives it her best shot when she recalls having to explain to Larry Williams, who plays Tevye, that one doesn’t pronounce the “ch” in “chutzpah” in the manner of “chutney” or “chocolate.”
“Meshuggah-Nuns” is a bit of a departure for TheatreNow, and not just because of the unusual subject matter. The company usually puts on its own productions, including the eye-catching “Trailer Trash: The Musical.”
That show featured musical numbers such as “Jerry Springer” and “Mobile Home of Happiness,” and featured at least one tornado.
Recently, the onstage nuns were shocked to discover real, live nuns in the audience. And Marin Catholic singles groups have arranged outings to the play. There hasn’t yet been a rabbi sighting in the crowd, but invitations to Marin spiritual leaders have been extended.
“Meshuggah-Nuns” runs through May 21 at The Belrose Theatre, 1415 Fifth St., San Rafael. Tickets are $25. Information: visittheatrenow.org or (415) 897-9003.