While Nunsense may be the most well-known musical poking pun at church, it only takes aim at the Catholic church.
Protestants have a laugh at self option, too, in Church Basement Ladies, currently playing at Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island.

Church Basement Ladies takes place entirely in the basement kitchen of the East Cornucopia Lutheran Church of the Prairie in Cornucopia, Minnesota.  Vivian rules the roost, with Karin next in line to take over the reigns of running the church events behind the scenes duties.  This as her daughter, Signe, comes into her own as a young woman, with her own rebellious ideas (like marrying a Catholic boy.  Uff da!)  And then there’s Mavis, the trustworthy workhorse of a woman who keeps things interesting with a smile on her face and a laugh on everyone else’s lips.

As for my review, I’m going to have to bypass my opinion on this one and follow the crowd instead.  While I found the songs uninspired, the jokes a little too “inside” Lutheran and the whole thing not self-deprecating enough, the audience absolutely loved the show.  There were laughs a plenty and smiles on many a face, as the Circa crowd had a great time truly enjoying the show.  So, I’m in the minority here on the show overall.  Which means, based on the crowd, you’ll like enjoy a healthy helping of the Church Basement Ladies.

However, I do want to highlight Nicole Savitt, who portrays Mavis (for her fifth production of CBL, if I remember correctly).  She’s so cheery and likable, that I found myself just watching her whenever I was bored.  For me, she alone was worth the evening out.  That’s not to say the rest of the cast are slackers.  They’re all quite good.  But, Savitt was dealt a good hand in the role of Mavis and has the opportunity to shine.  In fact, there were times I couldn’t escape the thought that she could be Kristin Chenoweth’s mother.  She has that spunk, that bubbliness and a higher pitched voice that’s so trademark Chenoweth.

Church Basement Ladies runs through June 6th at Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island.  Tickets are available by calling the theater at (309) 786-7733 or through the theater’s website, circa21.com.