Megan Slocum

BCP: Convent winery spilling secrets

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By John Lyle Belden

I suspect Catholic orders are nowhere near as fun as they are portrayed in stage comedies. Still, welcome to the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing in “Drinking Habits,” the hilarious comedy by Tom Smith on stage at Buck Creek Players, directed by Thom Turner.

Sister Augusta (Marie McNelis) and Sister Philamena (Beth Popplewell) have found that mending the garments of priests and Cardinals doesn’t bring in enough money to keep the convent open, so they let the juice from their grapes ferment and sell the wine in town – secretly, as Mother Superior (Ben Jones) is opposed to alcohol of any kind. Even mentioning it by name is forbidden.

This is far from the only secret. Just before the arrival of a new nun, Sister Mary Catherine (Megan Slocum), there is word of a secret visitor coming from the Vatican. Also, a pair of local reporters, Paul (Noah Lee) and Sally (Lauren Lotzow), are snooping around. Parish priest Father Chenille (Caleb Slocum) gets caught up in the paranoia, and gets the young groundskeeper George (Will Wortman) involved in some subterfuge.

All this makes for non-stop farcical slamming-doors slapstick fun, complete with all manner of clerical disguises.

Jones is divine (easy to accept as Mother since drag queens naturally command attention) and never cracks no matter how wacky things get. McNelis and especially Popplewell are fantastically frantic. Lee handles his ever-shifting role with comic aplomb. Lotzow, as well as her character, has fun with Sally’s steady focus on getting the scoop. Megan Slocum keeps Mary Catherine a mix of nervous and serene which makes her endearing. Caleb Slocum plays the priest as overwhelmed but still good-natured. Wortman keeps George sweet and simple without being dumb, just rolling with events as they happen.

The stage set, designed by Susanne Bush, includes a cutaway view of the Holy Closet, enhancing many comic moments.

For a good time, complete with creative euphemisms for alcohol (Satan’s Mouthwash, anyone?), “Drinking Habits” has just three more performances, Friday through Sunday, Feb. 13-15, at the Buck Creek Playhouse, 11150 Southeastern Ave., Indianapolis (Acton Road exit of I-74). Tickets at buckcreekplayers.com.

Buck Creek ‘Miracle’ relives holiday memories

PWJW_Indy Reviews, Stage , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By John Lyle Belden

When we were children, it was easy to think of our parents as capable of anything, maybe even magic, especially during the holidays. This is the theme of “Dad’s Christmas Miracle” by Pat Cook, this season’s production by Buck Creek Players.

Connor Murphy (Tony Brazelton) is an adult now but has fairly vivid memories of at least one long-ago Christmas. As he tells the story, the ghost of his teacher Miss McLaughlin (Marie McNelis), pops up to keep him accurate and on-topic.

Young Conner (Spencer Bland) wishes for a real motorized go-cart at a time when his father (Matthew Bush) struggles to afford gifts at all. His pesky older brother Frank (Wes Olin) has made his wish clear, dropping leaden hints, but sister Jessica (Brooke Dennis) is testing the power of faith by only asking for her Christmas gift in silent prayer, refusing to even tell her best friend Madelyn (Josie Joyner). Not even Mother (Megan Slocum), with her maternal psychic powers, can trick out a clue.

Meanwhile, Connor is working on his part in the Christmas pageant with best pals Neil (Jacob Bush), who is super smart, and Tater (Spencer Pipkin), who isn’t.

And then there’s neighbor Harriet (Sarah Latimer) bringing over her (in)famous fruitcake.

While this fits the genre of nostalgia stories (like the ones on TV with angels or BB-guns) this play has its own charms and twists, and plenty of funny moments. There’s mischief at the movies, the “honesty test,” and even a momentary Greek Chorus. Naturally, there’s also a thing that happens in the second act that jeopardizes the holidays, but true to the title, Dad will somehow pull off the Best Christmas Ever. You have to watch to see how it cleverly comes about.

Directed by Sam Brown, everyone comes off as charming in their own way, making for perfect family entertainment.

Behold “Dad’s Christmas Miracle” Fridays through Sundays through Dec. 17 at 11150 Southeastern Ave., Indianapolis (Acton Road exit off I-74). Get info and tickets at BuckCreekPlayers.com.