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March 23, 2022
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Ole Olsen Theatre to present “Drinking Habits” By Michelle Boswell mboswell@thepaperofmiami.com
It has been two years in the making but Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre, Inc., is ready to bring “Drinking Habits” to the stage. The local theatre hasn’t actually been practicing for two years but has been waiting that long to bring the play to fruition. Play director, Stephanie Wagner said, “We actually started two years ago when this play was originally casted but due to COVID-19 we had to close down rehearsals and wait until it was safe again to rehearse. So many of the original cast members are back to bring this story to life. We have been back in full rehearsals since February. With all the seriousness of COVID-19 the last couple of years, a production that would make people laugh seems quite appropriate for the local theatre. “I chose this play because I knew I wanted something that would make our audience laugh. So, as I was reading through scripts, I found “Drinking Habits.” I knew that with the size of the cast and all the other elements of the play, we could do it here at the (Peru) Depot Stage. I have watched several versions of this play that are available on YouTube, and I really thought we could pull it off here. It’s a very funny play and there is a lot of physical comedy in this play so there are many things to enjoy,” said Wagner. Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre has nearly all their shows at the Peru Depot. The small stage offers something that large venues cannot provide. “If you have never been to an Ole play at the depot you definitely need to go. This stage is so different than any stage you have ever been to. Because of the closeness of the stage, you are fully engulfed in the story. You can see the actors so close and really feel immersed in the stage. The Depot stage is very special because it gives you a more intimate feeling to the actors compared to bigger venues. It’s such a different experience and it can only be experienced when you are there,” said Wagner. The play, “Drinking Habits,” written by Tom Smith, is a play on words. Wagner gave a snapshot of what the production is about. “This play is about a convent where two nuns have secretly been making wine to help financially support the parish. All is going well until Rome issues a decree that all insignificant convents should be closed. So, everyone is on high alert when a couple of news reporters show up searching for the winners of a local wine contest. Suspecting the convent as the prize winners the reporters go undercover to investigate. Wine and secrets are inevitably spilled as everyone tries to preserve the convent and reconnect with lost loves,” Wagner explained. The play has many parts that involve going in and out of doors which requires excellent timing. Wagner feels they have managed to master this on the Peru Depot stage. “Staging took some time because it relies so much on timing and making sure each actor hits their mark. The issue is we have curtains hung in the background so as we open doors the audience can’t see the back of the stage. In doing that it actually blocks the actors’ sight to know if Tina Foust (Mother Superior), left, and Autumn North (Sally), right, practice someone has come off the stage and when it’s their turn to go. They all their lines during a recent rehearsal for “Drinking Habits.” This Ole Olsen work together behind the scenes standing at the corners and telling them Memorial Theatre, Inc., production will be show-ready beginning Thursday, March 31 for opening night which is also their Dinner Theatre night. See Ole, Page 2 Photo by Michelle Boswell
Vol. 3, No. 12
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