Theater lovers have their choice of two comedy productions this week in Great Bend. Students in the theater department at Barton Community College have produced “Harry’s Hotter at Twilight,” and Great Bend Community Theater is presenting “Drinking Habits.” The curtains on both plays go up Thursday.
“Harry’s Hotter at Twilight,” a parody filled with pop-culture references, can be seen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday in Barton’s Fine Arts Auditorium.
“Drinking Habits” has two nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing secretly making wine to keep the convent’s doors open. It can be seen at 8 p.m. this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Crest Theater, with an encore performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18.
Barton theater students are responsible for all aspects of “Harry’s Hotter,” from technical direction, wardrobe and promotion to performance as part of their Play Production course.
“It’s a bit difficult to cut the cord at first, but these students have completed an extensive mock directing unit in our Play Production course, and are ready for the challenge,” Barton Theater Director Erin Renard said.
Freshman Holly Mosier, one of the play’s five co-directors, said, “This show is very funny, and we are adding a lot of bits where the characters can break character and interact with the crowd.”
“Drinking Habits” is directed by Ken Harton, with assistant director Chris Curtright. The cast includes four actors who are new to the Crest Theater stage: Charlie Dixon, Maggie McQuade, Steth Stevens and Amber Wilder.
“There’s nothing serious about this play at all,” Harton said. The wine-making sisters go under cover as a nun and priest to thwart reporters and former fiancees who are hot on their trail.
For “Harry’s Hotter,” admission is free for all students with an ID (high school or college); admission for non-students is $5. Tickets are available at the door, with doors opening at 7 p.m. Advance tickets will be available in the Fine Arts Office Monday.
For “Drinking Habits,” tickets are $10. The box office will be open from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, and one hour before each performance.