By Laura Helle

Executive Director Austin Area Arts

“Do wop unto others as you would have them do wop unto you.”

Words to live by, courtesy of the St. Andrews Sisters. Expect more of this unique blend of oldies music, comedy and church talk when the Sisters take the Paramount stage on April 27 and 28 in “Just a Little UnCONVENTional.”

Formed in 2012, the St. Andrews Sisters are Coni Nelson (Sister Mary Cecelia), Alice Holst (Sister Mary Jude) and Penny Kinney (Sister Mary Genesius).

Kinney, who is retired from Hormel Foods Corporation, was inspired to create the trio after taking part in a women’s retreat. The retreat was heavy on serious personal stories and Kinney was challenged to bring lighter moments to the mix. She remembered playing a character in Summerset Theatre productions of “Nunsense.” The special mix of comedy and music with church themes was born with retired bank president Alice Holst and retired music teacher Coni Nelson donning habits with Kinney.

For example, the St. Andrews Sisters version of  the Crystals’ “Da Doo Ron, Ron,” is now “Da Doo Nun Nun.” Over the years, the St. Andrews Sisters have performed similar tunes as an opener for The Temptations when they played at the Spam 75th birthday celebration in 2012 and the WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) regional conference in 2015.

“Just a Little UnCONVENTional” will feature the three seasoned Austin performers presenting both classic and new material.  Watch for appearances by special surprise guests at this fun, family-friendly show.

As fans of the fall 2017 Paramount show will tell you, St. Andrews Sisters humor isn’t just for Catholics. Audiences only need to believe in the power of a belly laugh to enjoy this show.

Tickets are on sale now for two reserved-seating shows: Saturday, April 27 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 advance, $20 day-of-show and can be purchased online at austinareaarts.org or at the Austin ArtWorks Center, 300 N Main Street.

All proceeds from the show will go toward the Historic Paramount Theatre renovation and expansion. A cash bar will be available at the shows.

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Coming soon to the Paramount Theatre

•House at Pooh Corner presented by Matchbox Childrens Theater: April 6-8

•$5 Movie: “Gone with the Wind (1939)”: 3 and 7:30 p.m., Wednesday

•Six Mile Grove: April 13

•Forte Milers Barbershop Chorus: “Songs That Lift You Up:” April 14

•$5 Movie: “Casablanca”: 3 and 7:30 p.m., April 17

•$5 Movie: “Singin’ in the Rain (1952);” 3 and 7:30 p.m., April 24

•St. Andrews Sisters: “Just a Little UnCONVENTional”: April 27-28

•$5 Movie: “Moana”: 3 and 7:30 p.m., May 1

•”Nocture” by Ragamala Dance: May 8

•”Shh! We Have a Plan” by Cahoots Theatre Company: May 15

•$5 Movie: “The Perfect Storm”: 3 and 7:30 p.m., May 22

•$5 Movie: “Jaws”: 3 and 7:30 p.m., May 29

More information is available at austinareaarts.org.