THEATER REVIEW : ‘Nunsense II’ Offers Up More of the Same : The songs, situations and gags in ‘The Second Coming’ are similar to the first, again presented by the Ojai Art Center.

The run on nuns that’s been inundating Ventura County since October draws to a close with the current production of “Nunsense II--the Second Coming.”

Appropriately, it’s being presented by the Ojai Art Center, the same group that brought the first of three productions of Dan Goggin’s original “Nunsense” to the area, and with their original cast intact.

It’s fairly safe to state that those who enjoyed “Nunsense” will also like the second installment, which is essentially the same show with new (if familiar sounding) songs. The nuns are still performing a benefit show, there are continued references to convent cook Sister Julia “Child of God,” Sister Mary Leo (Katie Malloy-Thatcher) is still a novice, the woman nicknamed Sister Amnesia (Marianne Ilges-Johnston) still has memory lapses, Sister Robert Ann (Juli Cuccia) is still something of a brat, and Sister Hubert (Debra Masserella) is still envious of Mother Superior (Barbara Zeiher).

The plot--a term that gives Goggin too much credit--involves an order of Franciscans trying to appropriate money won by Sister Mary Amnesia in “Nunsense”; apparently neither the Franciscans nor the Little Sisters of Hoboken have taken vows of poverty.

Mostly, though, “Nunsense II” is songs, dances (tap, square, polka, etc.) and Catholic jokes--though not as many jesting references to religious dogma as in the earlier play.

And this time the show is performed on the set of “The Mikado” (Mother Superior gets drunk on sake), and the hopelessly obscure references include Josephine the Plumber (a commercial spokeswoman from years gone by) and the Vapors’ semi-hit single, “Turning Japanese.”

Once again, Sister Robert Anne gets to imitate Katharine Hepburn, and once again the show’s best number is the finale--this time something called “The Only Way to End Your Prayers,” a near-clone of the earlier play’s “Holier Than Thou.”

The women in the cast have a good time under the direction of Buzz Cuccia, and their appealing enthusiasm spread like loaves and fishes through last Sunday afternoon’s audience. The show is helped considerably by a three-piece band, with musical director/pianist Bobbi Lindstrom, percussionist LaVonne Theriault and bassist Abbie Beauchamp all dressed as nuns.

While the appeal of “Nunsense” may escape some people, it’s clear that many others enjoy the boisterous, obvious and clumsy revue. To those, “Nunsense II” is heartily recommended.

Details

* WHAT: “Nunsense II (the Second Coming).”

* WHEN: Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 through July 16. Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. June 26 and July 17 only.

* WHERE: Ojai Art Center, 113 South Montgomery, Ojai.

* HOW MUCH: $12 general admission; $10 for seniors, students and Art Center members. Group rates (20 or more) also available.

* FYI: For reservations or further information, call 646-0117.