The Second Star Performance Collective is staging a new show by Ren French entitled “Saints and Sisters: Nuns With Guns in Old New Orleans.” And I have to admit, the Ursuline Convent has never been so sexy. French, a local playwright and actor is the creator and writer of several Big Easy based Old Time Radio serials including: “The Clifton Monroe Chronicles” and “The Chip Parker Journals.”
With his newest staging, Ren has fashioned a world of assassins posing as nuns, illegal dealings and secret identities with lots of mystery and intrigue. The first two installments “Welcome to the Rookery” and “Bad Habits Die Hard…Er,” the characters are introduced and immediately thrust into action. Set in and round New Orleans in the height of Prohibition, “Saints and Sisters” follows two sisters as they are recruited by a mysterious nun played with exuberant glee by Kerry Cahill.
The sisters Jasmine and Jessica are portrayed by Angela Jo and Cammie West revel as quick witted and cunning young women using their powers of sexuality and martial arts to outmaneuver the many dark forces that surround them. The entire cast excels in taking the audience on an imaginative trip with their animated movements, use of props, sound and even their interaction with each other. Matt Standley is outstanding as a lascivious priest who holds the key to the girls past and Jake Bartush is just amazing in all the characters he plays. Whether he is the trampy drunk female barfly or a caring husband, his voice talents are superior.
Harold Gervais does an excellent job in directing the show with bawdy humor and non-stop excitement. The personal interactions the actors have on stage also plays into the uniqueness of the show. Although not fully fleshed out for the audience, there is obviously a private drama happening between both main actresses playing the sisters. But it was a little confusing and not very clearly laid out for the audience, maybe in the next chapters.
“Saints and Sisters” is playing at the Kirschman Art Space at NOCCA, located at 2800 Charters Street. Performances are August 22 and 27 – 29, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. For more information or tickets, go to www.secondstarperformancecollective.com. This nostalgic show is a perfect trip back in time.