Let your worries go as ‘Farce of Habit’ takes to the stage

By Anne Eickstadt

EDITOR

The sister is scolding D. Gene for his newly acquired habit of wearing oven mitts when he is not cooking.

We may not feel much joy while beginning yet a third year of pandemic, an upcoming mid-term election, and high taxes but you won’t be able to stop laughing during this performance of “Farce of Habit.” A sequel to “Farce of Natture,” comic fireworks explode as “Farce of Habit,” takes us back to the Reel ’Em Inn, the finest little fishing lodge in the Ozarks. The proprietor, D. Gene Wilburn, is looking forward to a peaceful weekend on the lake. But there are only two chances of that happening: slim and none.

D. Gene’s wife, Wanelle, picked these three days to white-knuckle her way through caffeine withdrawal. His son Ty is secretly performing in a community theater group and the director keeps giving him more parts to perform—which might explain why his marriage to Jenna is falling apart. (It might at least explain the French can-can costume Ty is wearing.) And how on earth did D. Gene’s feisty sister, Maxie, allow herself to get caught up in such a bizarre undercover police assignment? And that’s just his family.

If this isn’t enough to thwart D. Gene’s weekend plans, he’s got a gaggle of nuns who’ve converged on the inn, hell-bent on experiencing a nature retreat—which might be tolerable if D. Gene didn’t have a chronic fear of anything in a habit. Add to this the presence of Jock McNair—a nationally known relationship guru whose colossal ego threatens everyone’s sanity—a shy retiree anxious to cut loose and embrace his “inner caveman,” and a couple of wild women who may or may not be who they claim to be.

Throw in the storm of the century that’s fast bearing down on Mayhew, Ark., and D. Gene has no prayer of baiting a hook any time soon. Oh—maybe I should warn you—there’s an axe murderer on the loose.

Allow the giggles and chuckles to spill out as D. Gene deals with a ruler-wielding nun, a narcissistic radio personality in the throes of a divorce, the retiree who thinks they are holding a murder mystery weekend for his enjoyment, and all D. Gene’s habitually bizarre family issues.

“Farce of Habit” will be performed by the Main Street Players of Boone County at the Community Building Complex, 111 W. First St., on Feb. 11-13, and Feb. 18-20: Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets prices are: Adults, $14; Seniors (65+) and Military, $12; and Students, $5.

(Electronic payment is encouraged.)

Masks will be required.

For ticket information go to: www.mainstreetplayersofboonecounty.com or call 800-741-2963.

“Come and Play with Us!”