Theatre Arts Guild Back with the Farce “Drinking Habits”
The Punxsutawney Theatre Arts Guild (PTAG) declares, “We confess that we love a good farce. Plus, we love it when it makes our audiences howl with laughter.” The Guild’s production of “Drinking Habits” by Tom Smith, via Playscripts Inc., will surely invoke laughs when it hits the local stage. The two-act comedy is set for Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1, 2023, at the Punxsutawney Area Elementary School Auditorium. The show begins at 7:30 pm and tickets can be purchased at the door. 2023 Patron’s tickets are also honored.
Attending audiences will find themselves in the simple surroundings of a convent where nuns get mixed up in silly shenanigans in between their devotions. Two nuns Sister Augusta (played by Jennifer Setree) and Sister Philamena (played by Debra Dinsmore) spend their time repairing clerical clothes for the Church, all while under the watchful eye of Mother Superior (played by Kathy Dinsmore). What the Mother doesn’t know is that the Sisters are also secretly making wine to sell to the locals in order to keep the convent solvent. Mistaken identities and investigation come into play when news reporters Sally (played by Jessica Schidlmeier) and Paul (played by Doug Fye) go undercover as a nun and a priest to find out if the rumors of the side hustle are really true.
And that combination of circumstances puts the farce into full swing. Added to the story is a Novice (played by Mady Matthews) who possibly gets mistaken for someone she’s not; Father Chenille (played by Tom Cannon), who suspects something is amiss but can’t get to the bottom of it, and the groundskeeper George (played by Jef Dinsmore) who is duped into helping with all the hi-jinks. Jef Dinsmore, who also serves as the show’s director says, “With this summer’s play, wine and secrets are inevitably spilled as accusations fly and chances of romance bloom. A combination of odd dilemmas and plot twists makes this a fun farce for all to be involved in and, more importantly, for audiences to enjoy.” As a part of the 48th season of the troupe, PTAG is glad to offer this production to the town and to the veteran actors involved. They are also quite pleased to introduce two new players to the Guild stage, Tom Cannon and Jennifer Setree. Setree states, “Every second of the rehearsal process makes the show better and better. Overall, it has been a very rewarding experience and I’m excited for everyone to see what a great show we have for them.”
PTAG’s production of “Drinking Habits” is also being staged at the Verna Leith Sawmill Theater in Cook’s Forest. The troupe has been performing their summer show there for over 40 years. Go to Sawmill.org or call (814) 927-6655 for ticket reservations to the small-seat woodland theater. Show dates at this venue are July 6, 7, and 8, 2023.
The show’s director goes on to say, “Even though some of our cast is costumed in drab nun’s habits, the mood is not in the slightest bit drab. Fun and laughter are the flavor of the evening so, come out to see “Drinking Habits.” You can see it right here in Punxsutawney at the Elementary school auditorium the last weekend of the month or visit us in Cook’s Forest. We are determined to give you an enjoyable evening and keep theatre alive for our local community.”