Nuns conquer ‘Drinking Habits’ at Oak Street Playhouse
The local convent these days isn’t what it used to be, but the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing are doing their best to keep things together.
So, behind the scenes, the sisters have been … well … making wine to keep the doors open. Nothing wrong with a little nip of the grapes, of course, but the teetotaling Mother Superior — who refers to wine as “Satan’s hair tonic,” among other things — wouldn’t understand, and her higher-ups might not approve. So, it’s a secret.
This scenario is the setting for “Drinking Habits,” a two-act comedy that will be presented in the Flo Summitt Theatre at the Oak Street Playhouse in First-Centenary United Methodist Church for six performances beginning Friday, April 27.
The traditional farce, written by Tom Smith, features slamming doors, mistaken identities and even romance in the attempt to preserve the small convent.
Although the wine-making is a secret, word has filtered out that not everything between the wood-paneled walls is on the up and up. Enter Paul and Sally, reporters who have heard that some small winery has won a $500,000 prize in a wine-tasting contest, and they are anxious to get the scoop. They go in deep cover as a priest and a nun. Compounding their undercover sleuthing is the fact they’re former fiancés.
Their presence amid the sisters, and the appearance of an additional nun, makes things none too calm. Behind closed doors, the whispered word is that spies have been sent by Rome to prepare to close down the convent. After all, the convent has been sent a letter that all parishes are to be scrutinized.
Wine and secrets are bound to be spilled.
The cast includes Jessica Altemose, Jenny Bacon, Emily Dixon, Shaqualm McCoy, Karley Moon, Mike Pala, Cindy Procious and Levi Witt.
The production is directed by Jerry Draper.
For more information: www.oakstreetplayhouse.com.