Dan Goggin
Dan Goggin, a writer and director, came to New York from Alma, Michigan to study as a classical countertenor. He began his professional career singing in the Broadway production of Luther, starring Albert Finney. While appearing in a comic folk-duo called “The Saxons,” he began writing. This led to scores for the off-Broadway musical Hark! (in which he also appeared), the Broadway production of Legend, and two revues.
Mr. Goggin received the 1986 Outer Critics’ Circle Awards given to Nunsense for Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Music. His “nunless” musical Balancing Act has toured the U.S. and played in London and Australia. Nunsense and Nunsense 2: The Second Coming, both starring Rue McClanahan, have been recorded for the A&E Television Network. Nunsense 3: The Jamboree toured the U.S. starring Georgia Engel and has been recorded for television at the Grand Ole Opry starring Vicki Lawrence. Nunsense A-Men! opened at the 47th Street Theatre in New York in June 1998 and has since been produced with Laugh-In’s Arte Johnson, impressionist Frank Gorshin, and Olympic Champion Greg Louganis. Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical premiered in October 1998, followed by a national tour starring Dody Goodman, Jeff Trachta and Dawn Wells.
The Nuncrackers television special played on the PBS network, starring Rue McClanahan with guest star John Ritter, and received an Emmy nomination for Best Musical Score. Mr. Goggin’s Meshuggah-Nuns: The Ecumenical Nunsense premiered in September 2002 and is currently available on DVD. The all-star touring production of Nunsense starring Kaye Ballard, Georgia Engel, Mimi Hines, Darlene Love, and Lee Meriwether marked the 20th anniversary of the original show. In 2004 Mr. Goggin’s “serious piece,” The Traditional Latin Mass, was recorded by cast members and friends. 2005 marked the premiere of Nunsensations: The Nunsense Vegas Revue and in 2008, the 25th Anniversary tour starred Sally Struthers. Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class (a one-nun musical) and Nunset Boulevard: The Nunsense Hollywood Bowl Show premiered in 2012.
Cast recordings of the shows, as well as songbooks, videos and DVD’s, are available from the Official Nunsense Website.