Meet the Cast of ‘Nunsense’ at Wolf Pack Theatre Company: Part 4: Brigid K. Lally

In Part 4 of a series of interviews with the cast of Nunsense at Wolf Pack Theatre Company, meet Brigid K. Lally.

Brigid K. Lally.
Brigid K. Lally.

Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell us where local theatregoers may have seen you perform on the stage.

My name is Brigid K. Lally. The productions I have participated in are Washington College’s Imaginary Invalid as Beline, 2nd Star Productions’ Little Shop of Horrors as Bernstein, Hello Dolly, Camelot, and The British Players’ Panto Aladdin.

Have you ever thought about becoming a nun? Is there a Sister/nun who helped you in your lifetime who you admire?

There was once a time when I wanted to become a nun when I found out more about the saint I was named after. When I was a little girl I was given a book about the legend of Saint Brigid’s cloak. The book was about Saint Brigid performing a miracle with a cloak she and a few volunteers made. With the king proposing to them they could claim whatever land the cloak could cover. As a result, the cloak ended up covering most of Kildare, which is, were they ended up building their monastery.

There was a sister who helped me when I was younger. Sister John of the sacred heart church in Bowie, Maryland, along with my mother, taught me to stand up for myself and to not be pushed around by my older brothers or men in general.

Who do you play in Nunsense and what do you admire the most about your character? Are there any personality traits that you both share?

I play Sister Mary Amnesia. What I love about her is she is mellow and optimistic. There are several personality traits we have in common. For example, I am just as easily distracted. I forget where I put my glasses all the time, including my second and third pairs. Sister Amnesia and I are never easily bothered with our surroundings. We are generally in bliss. However, when we do something wrong, it gets the best of us… Until we forget about it later (lol). One of the biggest things that connects me to Sister Amnesia, besides our vocals, are the unforeseen sexual innuendos.

This will be the first performance of Nunsense that I have seen being performed in a church. How do you feel about performing this show in a church? Is there anything in the script that you feel may be a little ‘unholy’ that a real Reverend Mother may want to hit you over the knuckles with a ruler for?

Well I am kind of excited considering I would have never thought I would be performing at a church that has restrictions towards theatrical productions. Then I remember Sister Act and that makes me more comfortable. It makes me realize that times have certainly changed.

What will performing Nunsense on a ‘holy’ stage add to the audience’s experience?

The experience the audience will have is that nuns are not just women dressed to look like penguins and punish us every day. They, like us, are humans taking chances, making mistakes, and learning from them.

What song that your fellow castmates sing moves you the most and makes you laugh the most?

“Leo’s Ballad” because it shows the limitations those nuns has. And yet she demonstrates herself, as Josephine Baker meets belly dancing/ballet. She would also be the best example of how a nun begins by relieving herself along with discovering her restrictions.

What are some of the themes of Nunsense and lessons that Nunsense has to share with the audience?

Country, Rock, Spirituality, Sex, Drugs, Death, Illness, Innocence, Envy, Pride, Youth, Age, Joy, and Love.

What are some of the ‘Do’s and Dont’s’ that Director William Leary has told all of you and what are some of the best suggestions and directions that he has given you that has made your performance better?

Not to make high pitched sounds when I am talking or I will fade into the acoustics of the church. To be very oblivious and more in bliss but I need to be able to turn it off after rehearsal (lol).

Why do you think Nunsense is still so popular after all these years?

I think Nunsense is still so popular because it has several themes it presents as well as the different varieties of Topsy Turvy sense of humors along with having connections with people everyday.

Have you ever appeared in another performance of Nunsense?

No, this is my first production of Nunsense.

When was the first time you saw Nunsense performed? And if you did, which Sister was your favorite then?

Right after I auditioned, I watched the whole play on YouTube. My favorite is still Sister Mary Amnesia because she is cute, quirky, animated, and had the most challenging vocals. I also love that she respects other religions besides her own. And again, her intentional and unintentional sexual innuendos.

Which Sister in Nunsense is most like you and why?

Sister Mary Amnesia because her character has two faces. One of innocence and one not so innocent and she goes back and forth. She is also like a child that you have to love because she has nothing but the best intentions.

What new ‘habits’ as an actress have you developed while rehearsing and being part of this divine experience?

Definitely holding back my “sailor mouth” more (lol). Unless I make the argument that those words are scientific.

What do you want audiences to take with them after seeing you singing and dancing and having a great time performing in Nunsense?

To not take nuns or priests for granted. They go through a lot every day trying to make the world a better place while they face their own personal struggles.

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Nunsense opens April 10, 2015 and plays through April 19, 2015 at St. John Lutheran Church – 5820 Riverdale Road, in Riverdale, MD. For tickets, call (240) 271-5471, or purchase them online, or at the door.

LINKS

Meet the Cast of ‘Nunsense’ at Wolf Pack Theatre Company: Part 1: Joanna Matthews.

Meet the Cast of ‘Nunsense’ at Wolf Pack Theatre Company: Part 2: Melanie Pino-Elliott.

Meet the Cast of ‘Nunsense’ at Wolf Pack Theatre Company: Part 3: Linda Whiting.

Meet the Cast of ‘Nunsense’ at Wolf Pack Theatre Company: Part 4: Brigid K. Lally.

Meet the Cast of ‘Nunsense’ at Wolf Pack Theatre Company: Part 5: Jamie Crowne.

Meet the Cast of ‘Nunsense’ at Wolf Pack Theatre Company: Part 6: Francine Kent.

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Joel Markowitz
Joel Markowitz is the Publisher and Editor of DCMetroTheaterArts. He founded the site with his brother Bruce to help promote the vast riches of theatre and the arts in the DC Metro area that includes Maryland, Virginia, and DC theater and music venues, universities, schools, Children's theaters, professional, and community theatres. Joel is an advocate for promoting the 'stars of the future' in his popular 'Scene Stealers' articles. He wrote a column for 5 years called ‘Theatre Schmooze’ and recorded podcast interviews for DC Theatre Scene. His work can also be seen and read on BroadwayStars. Joel also wrote a monthly preview of what was about to open in DC area theatres for BroadwayWorld. He is an avid film and theater goer, and a suffering Buffalo Bills and Sabres fan. Joel was a regular guest on 'The Lunch and Judy Show' radio program starring Judy Stadt in NYC. Joel founded The Ushers Theatre Going Group in the DC area in 1990, which had a 25-year run when it took its final curtain call last year. Joel is a proud member of The American Critics Association.

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