LIFESTYLE
By: Ashley Caudill
It has often been said that God works in mysterious ways.
Certainly being hit on the head with a crucifix, developing amnesia and subsequently becoming a nun could be called mysterious, and this is just the way Hightstown resident Kyla Mostello describes how Mary Amnesia, the character she plays in "Nunsense," was brought into the sisterhood.
"Nunsense" will be presented at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre in West Windsor beginning tonight (Friday, Feb. 4) through Sunday, Feb. 13. Starring a group of local actors, this musical comedy tells the story of a group of Hoboken-based nuns who run the Mount Saint Helen’s School.
Chef Sister Julia accidentally poisons 52 nuns who die of botulism. The remaining nuns Sister Mary Regina, Mother Superior; Sister Mary Hubert, the second-in-command; Sister Robert Anne, Sister Mary Amnesia, and novice Sister Mary Leo must get creative in order to obtain money to pay for the burials.
"(‘Nunsense’ is) about a group of nuns who are putting on a talent show to raise money to help bury some nuns in their order which doesn’t sound like a comedy," Ms. Mostello reflected, "but it is."
At the auditions held in mid-December, Ms. Mostello initially planned to try out for the role of Sister Robert Anne, who she describes as "tough as nails, not prim and proper."
However, Ms. Mostello was given the role of Sister Mary Amnesia and while it isn’t the role she initially coveted, she’s enjoying the character and has made additions to the role such as playing guitar and using sign language.
"She does a little of everything," Ms. Mostello noted. These extra talents, which were not written into the play, allow her to expand her character into someone who may not remember who she is, but does know how to do many things.
"I would love to do it (acting) full-time," said Ms. Mostello, a 20-something thespian who has been acting since she was in high school and professionally since college. "We’ll see what happens."
She was just cast as Rapunzel in the upcoming production of "Rapunzel" at 12 Miles West Theater in Bloomfield (http://12mileswest.org/) and has also performed in Philadelphia and New York City. She works in the Human Resources Department at Merrill Lynch, which she says has been very accommodating in keeping her schedule flexible so that she is able to go to auditions and rehearsals.
She has also acted in the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival and played Elizabeth Allen, the first female president of the New Jersey Education Association in 1913 and an activist for tenure and retirement benefits for teachers, for the NJEA’s 150th anniversary.
In addition to her job at Merrill Lynch in Plainsboro and performing in "Nunsense," Ms. Mostello also works with a theater group at her high school alma mater. West Windsor-Plainsboro High School’s Pirate Players is a group of about 125 students that performs plays on social issues, such as peer pressure and eating disorders. Ms. Mostello acts as an adviser for the group, ensuring the accuracy of the facts used in the productions and providing acting instruction. As an adviser, Ms. Mostello says that she tries to "give them (the student actors) as much independence as possible," in acting and directing their productions.
Ms. Mostello also casts youth voices for Educational Testing Services oral exams, and acts in and casts children actors for instructional videos for New Jersey Educational Association in-house training videos.
Since the beginning of January, rehearsals for "Nunsense" have been held approximately 18 hours per week, 12 hours during the week and four to six hours during weekends. Nightly rehearsals are being held as opening night approaches. Such a demanding schedule does not leave Ms. Mostello much free time.
"This (acting) is my fun," Ms. Mostello said when asked what activities she participates in during her down time. She also sings karaoke with friends, spends time with her 2-year-old nephew and her family.
Ms. Mostello said that some of the actions of the nuns in "Nunsense," such as "dancing and being goofy" might surprise Catholic Sschool students, but notes "anyone from any background will enjoy the show."
"Nunsense," written in the 1980s by Dan Goggin, a Catholic school alumnus, is an ode to the nuns who taught him throughout school. Ms. Mostello says that the production "makes fun, but also has a great appreciation for teachers."
Along with Ms. Mostello, this production stars Elaine Fydrych of Gloucester Township as Sister Mary Regina, the Mother Superior; Kristin Heiser of Yardley, Pa., as Sister Mary Hubert, Angela Marchetti of Bordentown as Sister Robert Anne, and Jaimy Taylor of Ewing as novice Sister Mary Leo. The show is directed by Diane Wargo of Ewing.
"Nunsense" will be performed tonight (Friday, Feb. 4) and Saturday, Feb. 5 and Friday and Saturday, Feb. 11-12 at 8 p.m., and Sundays, Feb. 6 and Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Kelsey Theatre, 1200 Old Trenton Road. An opening night reception follows tonight’s performance to provide audience members a chance to meet the cast and crew.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens, and $10 for students and children. Free parking is available next to the theatre. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseyatmccc.org or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 584-9444.

