The third production staged by the Arts Center's community theater program 2nd ACT is described not as a comedy, but as a farce.
The play is called "Drinking Habits" and it's set to amuse dinner theater audiences Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 23-25, at the Arts Center.
"This is a farce which takes place in a convent," said Lori Dorr, its director.
The plot is pretty straightforward -- everybody is lying about something. The Sisters of Perpetual Sewing convent is home to only two nuns, Sister Augusta, played by Chris Sheppard, and Sister Philemena, played by Lori Richardson, plus Mother Superior, played by Dina Laskowski.
"Mother Superior has been lying to Rome saying there are 20 nuns," Dorr said. "And the two nuns are making wine and lying about it."
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The two nuns have been turning some of the grape juice from the vineyard into wine. They are doing it to keep the convent open and solvent. However, Mother Superior doesn't know about the wine making.
"Then two reporters arrive to try to find out who's been making the award-winning wine," Dorr said. "During their investigation they become avid liars also."
The two reporters are Sally Andrews, played by Shelly Andersen, and Paul Billings, played by Reggie vanBeekom. Others in the cast are Jim Lester as the groundskeeper, George, and local parish priest Father Chenille, played by Bill Nybo. There's also a novice nun, Sister Mary Catherine, played by Susan Lester. Although called "sister," a novice has yet to take final vows so is not considered a full-fledged nun.
"Eventually, everyone is drawn into this farce and present a multitude of lies," Dorr said.
Included in the story are two love interests, but Dorr declined to add to that information.
"This play is absolutely hysterical -- truly funny," she said. "And the best part of this is we've had three new people join the 2nd ACT theatre troupe."
Laskowski, Richardson and Nybo are all new additions.
Tickets for any of the three dinner theater performances are $15 for Arts Center members and $20 for others. They will go on sale Tuesday at the Arts Center. Dinner is at 6 p.m. followed at 7 p.m. by the performance.
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"Please join us for another wonderful evening of theater at the Arts Center," Dorr said.
The production is sponsored by Arts Center member, R.M. Stoudt.
She also encourages people to reserve their tickets early. The last dinner theater production, "A Bad Year for Tomatoes," was sold out for every performance and she expects this play will do so as well. Arts Center Director Taylor Barnes echoes Dorr.
"We anticipate we'll sell out every night," Barnes said of "Drinking Habits."
Barnes added she appreciates the growing support for 2nd ACT productions shown in community attendance. Financial support is also growing, she said, with a $5,000 donation for lighting improvements.
"The community is also supporting the theater through the capital campaign," she said. "This final phase of the campaign is focused on remodeling the facility, which includes improvements to the stage."
Barnes noted the community theater program has been a great addition to the Arts Center's programming. She said it's exposed the community to the Arts Center and the Arts Center to more of the community.
"Having the Arts Center as the 2nd ACT home provides opportunities for lots of people to see the exhibits so it's a great partnership," she said.
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Sun reporter Toni Pirkl can be reached at (701) 952-8453 or by e-mail at tonip@jamestownsun.com
