A full house traded in the bitter and snowy Michigan cold for the sunshine and slapstick of the Ozarks in Avon Players’ Farce of Habit, running until January 25, 2025, in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
Farce of Habit was written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten. As the title implies, this play includes many absurd situations and zany characters whose quirks propel the action and humor. Director Jeff Stillman believes the humor is based on familiar patterns of human behavior: “We all have habits. Some we admit to and some we don’t. And everyone in our life has habits too, some that endear them to us and some that drive us up the wall.”
As the play opens, we are introduced to Wanelle (Andrea Crowe) and D. Gene (Chris Stepnitz) Wilburn, the proprietors of the best fishing lodge in the Ozarks – The Reel ‘Em Inn.
In their golden years and probably married just as long, both characters exude the laidback, homespun attitude you might find when visiting rural Arkansas. Wanelle’s habits include consuming coffee like her life depends on it, while D. Gene is itching (literally) to spend a quiet weekend bass fishing. But as the proverb says, “Man plans, and God laughs.” And there are plenty of laughs to be had in this production, especially, with all the action set against the backdrop of a major storm and a serial killer on the loose.
The cast of crackpot characters includes Maxine (Patty Hagel), Gene’s sassy older sister who dispenses homespun wisdom, wisecracks, and questionable tonics. And lawd help us, she is also a police officer assigned to help catch the ‘Candy Bar Killer.’ Helping around the inn are Wilburn’s 20-something son Ty (Matt Druminski) and his wife Jenna (Caroline Dargay). Naïve Ty is more focused on his amateur dramatics than his marriage, much to the annoyance of his wife. At least, Jenna thinks she’s Ty’s wife. Druminski hilariously spends most of his time on stage in outlandish costumes, which heightens the comedic action. Dargay and Druminski are perfectly paired as this young couple but being engaged in real life certainly doesn’t hurt their performances! The guests at the Reel ‘Em Inn are just as wonderfully wacky.
Jock McNair (Michael Zois) is a narcissistic, condescending radio host who preaches the value of honesty while pointing out the flaws in other people’s relationships. McNair callously tells Wanelle and Gene if they want a better marriage, then she needs to cut out caffeine and he needs to stop scratching every five minutes. This is rich coming from McNair who has his own relationship issues. Like the fact he is on the run from his soon-to-be ex-wife Barbara Stratton (Corene Grillo). Feisty and flashy, Grillo plays Barbara with gusto and in the end, gets her man! Zois does a fantastic job channeling McNair’s arrogant attitude in a way that makes you just want to smack him! Thankfully, Sister Myrtle Agnes (Pamela Plewa) fulfills that fantasy as she wields various instruments of torture and takes McNair (and others) to task for what she considers unacceptable behavior.
Huddle Fisk (Peter Buccilli) is a-dork-able as the meek accountant who comes to the inn looking for adventure from his dull life. Buccilli was a true delight to watch in this role as a clueless man who thinks all the calamity around him is part of an elaborate murder mystery game being staged by the inn. “I was almost murdered this weekend and I never felt more alive!” This is a man who was long overdue for some action, and he certainly ended up getting more than he bargained for.
What makes a farce exceptional is timing and tone – and this production serves up generous portions of both. The actors were having a good time and when that happens, the audience does too. I dare you to keep a straight face – especially during the scenes when Stepnitz has oven mitts duct taped to his hands.
The new year already seems to be going to hell in a handbasket, so treat yourself to a hearty helping of laughter, because Farce of Habit is guaranteed to have you in stitches. After all, you never know when community theatre might save your life.
This performance runs over two hours with a 15-minute intermission.
Please note this performance uses a fake handgun, along with a gunshot effect.
Farce of Habit is directed by Jeff Stillman with Mark Misch serving as producer. Costumes by Maia Fetter and lighting design by John (JD) Deierlein with Katelyn Brackney on properties. Wig design is by Lana Brusokas-Hastings. Nick Kibler serves as the sound designer and set design is by Jeff Stillman and the set dress is by Jeffrey Monterosso.
Tickets for all shows are $28. Call 248-608-9077 for tickets or order online at www.AvonPlayers.org. Discounts on group rates are available by calling the box office. “Like” Avon Players Theatre on Facebook for special offers on tickets. All major credit cards are accepted. All seats are reserved.
Show dates and times follow:
- Saturday, January 11; 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, January 12; 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, January 17; 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, January 18; 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, January 19; 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, January 24; 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, January 25; 8:00 p.m.
About Sarah Hovis