Summertime brings a sidesplitting spoof to Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre as it presents "Nunsense" live on stage July 19 through Aug. 26.

One of the most requested shows at Beef & Boards and an audience favorite, "Nunsense" follows the misadventures of five nuns trying to manage a fundraiser. Sadly, the rest of the sisterhood died from botulism after eating vichyssoise prepared by Sister Julia. Thus, the remaining nuns – ballet-loving Sister Leo, street-wise Sister Robert Anne, befuddled Sister Mary Amnesia, the Mother Superior Sister Regina, and mistress of the novices Sister Mary Hubert – stage a talent show in order to raise the money to bury their dearly departed. Of course, nothing is as simple as it should be, and they are running out of time!

This un-“convent�-ional show originated as a line of greeting cards by Dan Goggin. Their popularity caused him to develop them into a cabaret, and later a full-length musical. Goggin based each character on a nun he knew from his own schooling by the Marywood Dominican Sisters as well as his days as a seminarian. The result was almost miraculous. "Nunsense" became one of off-Broadway's biggest commercial successes, was translated into 21 languages and became an international phenomenon. Goggin received the 1986 Outer Critics' Circle Awards for Best Musical, Best Book and Best Music. "Nunsense" has had six sequels, three spin-off shows, and continues to entertain audiences worldwide annually.

"Nunsense" has 45 performances scheduled in the intimate space of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Tickets range from $37 to $60 and include Chef Odell Ward’s dinner buffet, coffee, tea and lemonade. Discounts are available for groups and children ages 3-15. For reservations, call the Beef & Boards Box Office at 317.872.9664. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays. For more information, visit www.beefandboards.com.

• TIME: 8 p.m.

• COST: $37-$60 includes dinner buffet

• WHERE: Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, 9301 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis. 317-872-9664

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