Review: 'Drinking Habits 2 Caught in the Act' at Phoenix Stage Co

Oakville, CT - Phoenix Stage Company, formerly of Naugatuck and now presenting their shows at the former Clockwork Repertory in Oakville, will come full circle when they open their latest production of DRINKING HABITS 2 CAUGHT IN THE ACT on Friday evening. Back in 2011, when the Phoenix Stage was a fledgling new theater on Rubber Avenue in Naugatuck, one of the shows in their first full season was the comedy DRINKING HABITS. I remember seeing this show with a group of friends from Maple Hill School; I still have my copy of the printed program.

In order to enhance the enjoyment of the second farce, the PSC is providing a leaflet that brings the audience up to speed on what transpired in DRINKING HABITS 1. It explains some of the silliest elements of the backstory, and sheds light on the improbable names and relationships. While comedy lovers will find plenty of laughs in this sequel, I would suggest reading the synopsis of the first to enhance your understanding of the action. Here is a shortened version that remains from my 2011 post, in which Director Ed Bassett described the first DH as "nuns and wine" and made it sound like a lot of fun.

Two nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing have been secretly making wine to keep the convent's doors open, but Paul and Sally, reporters and former fiancees, are hot on their 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 that spies have been sent from Rome to shut them down. Wine and secrets are inevitably spilled as everyone tries to preserve the convent and reconnect with lost loves.

The original cast featured some Phoenix Stage veterans like Chrissy Flynn, Donna Storms, Heather Graham, Max LaManna, Kate Stamberg, and a very young . I was glad to see that three of these actors were able to be a part of Part 2. Tim Phillips, Colleen Renzullo and Brian Elser gleefully reprise their roles of Father Chenille, Mother Superior and Paul Billings, respectively.

Both stories are silly but fun, and I smiled and laughed aloud throughout the two acts of the final dress rehearsal that I was invited to attend. Ed Bassett once again directed the DRINKING HABIT production and knows how to bring out the comedy.

Ms. Renzullo (THE COVER OF LIFE, NUNCRACKERS) was a joy to watch once again as the nun in charge, the Mother Superior, the producer/playwright/leading player of the play within a play about St. Bernadette. Shanelle Dupre stepped easily into the role of Sister Augusta in her debut at Phoenix Stage Company and looked natural as a young nun. Maria Prussin (THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN) was equally comfortable in her role as Sister Philamena, with a lovely accent. Mr. Phillips (THE DROWSY CHAPERONE in Goshen, A CHRISTMAS STORY in Thomaston) was once again enjoyable to watch in the role of Fr. Chenelle.

Becky Venable (MOON OVER BUFFALO, ALMOST, MAINE) took on the role of the perky reporter Sally Andrews. Matt Cary played the role of George the gardener in his stage debut and did very well with both the acting and bad acting that was required by the script. His character is now married to the very pregnant with twins Kate, brought to life delightfully by Jennifer Beveridge (THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN.)

Mr. Elser has literally grown up on and behind the scenes of the Phoenix stages over the last nine years, and I enjoyed every minute of his performance as Paul, the character now studying to become a priest and take over for his father/Father. Whether he was a young man with a crippling fear of public speaking, making it impossible to get through a homily, or directing the show within a show complete with a megaphone, Mr. Elser was perfect.

Amber-Lynn Dunphy (Lucy in SWEENEY TODD at PSC) was in charge of the stage for this production. When she wasn’t making a cameo, Lori Poulin was the deck captain. Mr. Basset and Ms. Poulin were in charge of the 1969 costumes and props, with the director designing the set with many doors. Al Hathway designed the lighting and Mr. Bassett ran the sound with some angelically-chosen incidental music.

DRINKING HABITS 2 runs February 8-22, 2020. Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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