Paramount Center Bringing Sally Struthers in ‘Nunsense’ to the Region

She played Gloria Stivic on television, acted alongside Jack Nicholson on the big screen and now stars on stage as a nun.
She’s Sally Struthers.
Emmy Award winner Struthers stars as Mother Superior in “Nunsense,” which stages at the Paramount Center of the Arts in Bristol, Tenn. on Oct. 21.
Barely a month into the role, Struthers said the play appeals to her in part because of the quality of her role but also because of the strength of cast.
“It’s a great show,” Struthers said recently by phone from Oregon. “It’s a real creative pleasure. There are six other women in this show, and they all deserve to be household names like me.”
Written and directed by Dan Goggin, “Nunsense” marks its 25th anniversary this year. It’s a fluid and comical show. For those who have seen the show before Struthers, she said you will see at least a slightly different one this time.
“Danny personalized the role for me,” Struthers said. “He works in a line here and there that’s a call back to the actress’ career.”
Her role as Archie Bunker’s daughter in the television classic “All in the Family” from 1971-1978 led Struthers to household name status. She won two Emmys for the nearly decade-long role.
And how does that relate to “Nunsense”?
“There are some lines in there from ‘All in the Family,’ ” Struthers said.
Clever. And it makes sense, given the classic television show’s impact on American pop culture.
“My years on ‘All in the Family’ were magical,” Struthers said. “It was the best school for me to attend in terms of writing and improvisation. Working with Carroll
O’Connor and Jean Stapleton, I couldn’t have gone to a better school.”
Though Struthers established her name via “All in the Family,” success found her before and after the show, too.  For example, she appeared with Jack Nicholson in 1970’s feature film “Five Easy Pieces.”
Then after “All in the Family” completed its run, Struthers starred in spin-off sitcom “Gloria” in 1982-83. More recently, she nailed down a role as Babette Dell in “Gilmore Girls” from 2000-2007. She’s stayed busy.
“I’m proud of being a working actor,” Struthers said. “I have so many friends that are in the industry who are not working.”
Folks may not realize just how thankful she is to be working. Given her past, prevailing thought may lead one to assume that Struthers could live comfortably off money made from “All in the Family.”
“You want the God’s honest truth?” Struthers asked.
Sure.
“I don’t know how to do anything else,” she said. “If I’m not working, then I don’t have any other way to pay my bills. People think I get all these residuals from ‘All in the Family,’ but I don’t.”
Two Emmys on the shelf. Yet, she earns nary a dime now from DVD sales or syndication from one of television’s benchmark shows.
But she does get something much more everlasting – from her mother.
“However funny I am, I get from my Mom,” Struthers said. “Every night before I go on stage, I always close my eyes and dedicate the show to my Mom.”
Then it’s show time. Curtains rise, audiences clap, excitement permeates the air.
“Then, it feels like being shot out of a cannon,” Struthers said. “For the whole show, it feels like I’m flying through the air.”

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .

IF YOU GO
What: “Nunsense” starring Sally Struthers
When: Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Paramount Center for the Arts, 518 State St., Bristol, Tenn.
Admission: $42 for adults, $38 for seniors and students
Info: (423) 274-8920
Web: http://www.nunsense.com