By Jeanne Beechwood
I was eight years old attending school at St. Madeline’s in Tulsa Oklahoma. Nuns had just been given permission to wear knee length habits. My entire fourth grades class couldn’t believe it when our teacher, Sister Mary Catherine entered the classroom. She had a new shortened habit and the skinniest little bird legs I had ever seen. The whole class started giggling!
Nuns being portrayed in a comical way has been an audience favorite for years. Dan Goggin penned the musical Nunsense in 1985. Now there are five sequels featuring feisty and fun nuns. Following that line of comedy The Historic Main Street Theater in Belton opens Friday, March 1, with Drinking Habits by Tom Smith.
This zany farce features two nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing, secretly making wine to keep the convent doors open. Next to the convent is a grape vineyard. The very poor nuns realize their ability to make money for their ministry and begin making wine from grapes and selling it to the townspeople. Two reporters and former fiancées are hot on the nuns’ trail. They go undercover as a nun and priest, but their presence, combined with the addition of a new nun, spurs paranoia throughout the convent. They believe spies have been sent from Rome to shut the convent down. Wine and secrets are inevitably spilled as everyone tries to preserve the convent and reconnect lost loves. Accusations, mistaken identities, and even romances run wild in this traditional laugh-out-loud farce.
“It is not a musical, but presented with high production values.” Says artistic and founding theater director Pam Powell. James Brockman is the director of Drinking Habits and has assembled a clever and unique cast of actors for this production.
Brockman was an actor first for the Historic Main Street Theater. Pam and her husband Rob Powell were so impressed by Brockman’s talent and work ethic they asked him to direct Steel Magnolias which was Brockman’s first directing debut…. ever! The production was very successful. Brockman came across the script for Drinking Habits through playscripts.com. Brockman convinced Pam to open The Historic Main Street Theater’s seventh season with this show and let him direct it.
Artistic Director Pam believes that a great community theater should also offer educational opportunities. Pam is very protective of this theater, but upon meeting with James and seeing him work his way through the ranks, offered him not just acting and directing opportunities, but a key to the building. James recently moved into a rental house next door to Pam and Rob Powell in Belton. Obviously doing quality community theater is in their blood. “I feel more confident with my second directing position” said James, “Not as timid.”
Pam shares “Main Street Theater couldn’t have asked for a better cast for Drinking Habits.” Rehearsals have been in process for about 6 weeks to hone down exact timing required for farce. Both Brockman and Pam have witnessed the actors having such fun on stage that they hope this will transcend to the audience. “There is no explicit language in this show.” Pam reveals. Brockman concludes he loves working with the Historic Main Street Theater now and for the future. “Pam has made me her adopted theater son,” Brockman says.
Drinking Habits runs March 1st – 17th, Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm. Due to it being a small venue, reservations are strongly encouraged. Tickets are $18 (includes tax) for adults. Senior Citizens (over 65 years old) and College Students with a valid College ID are $15 (includes tax)
You can call 816-406-9422 or email mainstreettheater@gmail.com. The Historic Main Street Theater is located at 510 Main Street Belton, MO. Lovers of the feisty and funny nuns will be happy to know there is a sequel to Drinking Habits. Holy Habits! Don’t miss out on this show.
Jeanne Beechwood is the Artistic Director of Martin City Melodrama in Grandview.
Discover more from Martin City Telegraph
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.