The opening show of Theatre Works' 28th season is John Shanahan's original comedy "Dinner for Several." All Carter Sullivan wanted to do was make dinner for a date. But before the night's out, the guest list will include her, her roommate, his own roommate, his ex-girlfriend, some guy he barely knows, and the nice old Irish lady from downstairs. A classic romantic comedy — described as "a thinking person's Friends" — John's riotous and clever script leaves you rolling in the aisles while pondering the way life throws obstacles in your personal relationships. Director Ed Benjamin, who played the role of Carter six years ago, infuses the comic and heartwarming elements needed to keep the audience entertained all night long. The lovely bachelor pad set is designed by Mark Anderson, with costumes by Sharon Charette.

Joshua Smith plays Carter — dynamic as the leading man thrown in the middle of this situation. Carter loves to cook, and Josh handles the comic moments with ease. His dramatic scene in the second act sparkles when he chokes up and tears appear in his eyes. Carter's ex-girlfriend Liz is played by Brettny Nicole, a lovely strawberry blonde who delivers a heartwarming portrayal reminiscent of Jennifer Aniston's character from Friends. His pesky roommate Jim is excellently played by Andrew Mattera, who steals many scenes with hilarious facial expressions and the funniest lines in the show — including a story about his worst date and a game that has everyone topping each other with romantic disasters.

Ashley Dougan delivers another winning performance as Karen Johannsen, Carter's date, who ends up in a brilliant sequence that surprises the audience. The most obnoxious character is Paul Sorrenti, marvelously played by Brian Lopes — constantly on his cell phone, stringing along multiple women, and providing the show's funniest physical moment when he gets stuck in the recliner and has to tumble out. Meredyth Waterman plays the sexy Celine, who is afraid to commit after her last boyfriend turned out to be gay. Lydia Mattera plays Irish neighbor Mrs. McGonigle, who teaches them all lessons in love and brings a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream — explaining that in 42 years of marriage to John Patrick there were bumps along the way, but true love should win the day. Does it? You'll have to go see the show.

Theatre Works' current show — performed at the Stadium Theatre on Monument Square — is Dan Goggin's "Nunsense." The show is about five zany nuns, the Little Sisters of Hoboken, who are putting on a fundraiser to bury 52 sisters accidentally poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia Child of God. They take over the school auditorium, which is currently set up for the eighth grade production of "Grease." Here we meet Reverend Mother Regina, a former circus performer; Sister Mary Hubert, the Mistress of Novices; a streetwise nun from Brooklyn named Sister Robert Anne; Sister Mary Leo, a novice who is a wannabe ballerina; and the delightfully wacky Sister Mary Amnesia. Director Mark Anderson infuses the show with the energy needed while musical director Mary Jo Rett plays lead keyboards and conducts a three-piece orchestra. Mark also built and designed the Grease set, and the costumes and puppet are by Sharon Charette. Stage manager Mary Concannon keeps things running smoothly all night long.

Playing Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina is veteran actress Carol Varden, who commands the stage with a wonderful Irish brogue and topnotch voice. Carol stops the show cold in a Rush scene where she gets high from a bottle, flashes the audience with her flash dance and bar stool imitations, shines in the cooking-with-the-BVM scene, and ends Act 1 dressed like Carmen Miranda with a fruit headdress and maracas. Sister Hubert is played by Charlene Soucy — a dynamite soprano and dynamic actress, delivering "Just a Couple of Sisters" with Regina, "The Biggest Ain't the Best" with Leo, and the showstopping gospel number "Holier Than Thou," which brings down the house.

Connie Anderson plays Sister Robert Anne, the streetwise nun from Brooklyn, and is a hoot in the role. Her habit humor includes imitations of Attila the Nun, Princess Leia, and Katherine Hepburn. She delivers three standout songs — "Playing Second Fiddle," "Growing Up Catholic," and "I Just Wanna Be a Star" — and lands the funniest ad-lib of the night when she confides to the audience, as Sister Robert Anne, that she misses alcohol. Danielle DeRotto keeps the audience in stitches as Sister Mary Amnesia, who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head. Her "So You Want to Be a Nun" number with puppet Sister Mary Annette — performed in two distinct voices — is hilarious. Meredyth Waterman rounds out the cast as Sister Mary Leo, the novice who wants to be a ballerina. A trained dancer with the RI Ballet for many years, she performs a beautiful ballet to "Benedicite" and shines in the comic Dying Nun ballet. The three younger nuns also deliver a gorgeous Andrews Sisters three-part harmony in "The Drive-In." So for a hilarious look at how "Nunsense is Habit Forming," be sure to catch Theatre Works' production at the Stadium Theatre.

The current show at Theatre Works is "Greetings" — a warm yet funny Christmas show and a pleasant alternative to "A Christmas Carol." Set in the Gorski home on Christmas Eve in the 1960s, Andy brings home his Jewish atheist fiancée Randi Stein to meet his nice Catholic mother Emily, his cranky Catholic father Phil, and his severely disabled brother Mickey, who only says "Wow" and "Oh Boy." Chaos rules the evening until Mickey is inhabited by a spirit named Lucius, who proves that miracles happen through love and understanding. Director Mark Anderson leads his performers from petty squabbles to family healing, with many comic and heartwarming moments along the way. He also designed the Christmas set. Sharon Charette made the colorful costumes; Connie Anderson handles props and stage manages throughout.

The biggest scene stealer in the show is Fred Fortier III as Mickey. His acting prowess astounds — maintaining the gestures and tics of a severely disabled person with precision, then transforming completely into the talking spirit Lucius, delivered with a British accent. When he utters his first word, "Greetings," the audience is left speechless. Some of his funniest shtick includes using the crucifix as a toy plane and performing his favorite wrestling moves on his older brother, complete with a terrifying roar. Fred gives a dynamite performance from start to finish.

Playing the parents are veteran performers Lynn Price and Moe Cournoyer. Lynn plays the caring, doting mother beautifully — her fainting scene and poignant moments teaching Mickey to talk add real depth to the show. Moe plays the cranky old man with a lot of spirit, walking with a cane and posture that are thoroughly convincing. The audience loves it when he gets put in his place, and his funniest lines — trying to scare the spirit out of Mickey with a photo of the Blessed Mother, and explaining that Sister Clarissa "jumped" him — get big laughs.

The engaged couple is played by Ed Benjamin III and Amy Silva. Ed shows realistic emotional reactions throughout — from the hurt of his father's disapproval to warm love for Mickey and genuine affection for his girlfriend. Tony notes that Ed will be appearing as Jesus in "Jesus Christ Superstar" for the group in April. Amy handles the complicated role of Randi wonderfully, showing strength when she stands up to Phil, love toward Andy, and understanding toward Mickey. Her funny moments include thinking Santa was a drunk while a record skips repeatedly on "So Santa loaded... loaded... loaded..." and doing a Milk of Magnesia commercial on TV. So for a warm-hearted Christmas treat, be sure to catch this show.

Theatre Works' production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" plays at the Stadium Theatre on Monument Square. The show chronicles the last seven days in the life of Jesus as seen through the eyes of a disillusioned Judas Iscariot — a combination of rock rhythm and ballad narrative, dramatic characterization and rollicking choreography, operatic star performances and humble themes of love and acceptance. Director Paul Adam and musical director Sue McClain choose 29 talented performers to pull off this powerful musical. Paul creates many picture-postcard moments — including the Last Supper tableau and the Crucifixion — and also handles the fantastic lighting for the show. Sue leads her topnotch orchestra and taught the cast the intricate melodies, harmonies, and tongue-twisting lyrics. The terrific choreography is by Stephanie Bourbonniere and Justine Dee. The set is by Mark Anderson and all the costumes are by Sharon Charette.

Edward Benjamin III leads the cast as Jesus with a splendid tenor voice that handles the rock moments as easily as his falsetto for the mellow ones. His "Gethsemane" will leave you in tears as he builds to a soaring crescendo, and his work in the Last Supper, the whipping scene, and the Crucifixion is powerful. Brian Lopes is dynamic as Judas, showing off a powerhouse tenor voice and remarkable range in "Heaven on Their Minds," "Damned for All Time," "Blood Money," and "Judas' Death." His "Superstar" number — singing and dancing with the girls — is electrifying, and his adversarial scenes with Ed are fantastic.

Lisa Ziniti is fabulous as Mary Magdalene. A graduate of the Hartt School of Music, her superb soprano soars in "Everything's Alright," the powerful and poignant "I Don't Know How to Love Him," and the emotionally charged duet with Peter, "Could We Start Again, Please." James Archambeault, who has a topnotch tenor voice, plays Peter and handles "Peter's Denial" with flair. Josh Smith plays Simon Zealotes, showing off a strong singing voice in the "Simon Zealotes" rock number with the chorus. Gregory Bonin is wonderful as Pilate — singing the mellow "Pilate's Dream" and soaring to high B flats in "Trial by Pilate." Jared Sell provides a comic turn as Herod in "Herod's Song." The villainous high priests are played with wonderful voices and menacing presences by Frank Wilmoth as Caiaphas and Steve Perry as Annas. The apostles and chorus deliver the finishing touches to this emotional show. So for a blockbuster hit, be sure to catch "Jesus Christ Superstar" before time runs out.