Bad Habits - Orson Bean and Alley Mills Star in Ruskin Group Theatre’s World Premiere Comedy
“Sparkles with fun…delightful holiday entertainment. Clever...endearing cast” - Splash Magazines/LA
The Sisters of St. Cyril’s are on a mission to prevent the closing of their convent and school. Might there be an “Almighty’ intervention to save them, in the form of a miraculous young woman named Maria? Or might God just sit this one out, leaving the Sisters to rely on their annual Christmas pageant fundraiser, which will be featuring a particularly surprising number? High adventure comedy, second to nun!
"Though slightly irreverent, the story is warmly affectionate in its take on the life of a group of nuns dedicated to their underprivileged neighborhood. Steve Mazur’s script intertwines the folly of our imperfect human efforts with the mystery of the divine - it is both biting and joyous. The central questions: what is the nature of faith, whom should we serve, and what meaning, if any, can be discerned from the mysterious. All provide opportunities for the Sisters and their Bishop to make fools of themselves, while along the way discovering a deeper part of their own humanity. This is, ultimately, a life-affirming, joyful play," says director Mike Reilly.
Written by Steve Mazur who wrote the book for Paul Overstreet's musical “Sneaky Ole Time.” Steve has written or co-written the screenplays for “Liar Liar” starring Jim Carrey, “Heartbreakers” starring Sigourney Weaver and Gene Hackman for MGM, “Jingle All The Way II” at Fox, “Phil” starring Greg Kinnear, and the upcoming “Undercover Brother 2.”
“Moments of comic genius. One of the funniest intermission bits I have ever witnessed, which I don't want to spoil by revealing it here. But it will stick with me and bring recurring chuckles for a long time!” - Broadway World
Directed by Mike Reilly, the cast includes Orson Bean* (Broadway: Theater World Award, Tony Award nom; Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? with Walter Matthau and Jayne Mansfield, Never Too Late, Illya Darling. Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award - Best Solo Performance – Safe at Home: An Evening with Orson Bean at PRT. SAG Award nom “Being John Malkovich.” ), Alley Mills* (Norma Arnold on The Wonder Years; opposite John Candy in “Going Berserk.” New York Shakespeare Festival, Mark Taper Forum, American Conservatory Theater, 20-year member of PRT), Lee Garlington* (Ovation Award “Best Supporting Actress” in Risk Everything - Zephyr Theatre, title role in Justin Tanner’s Pot Mom - Cast Theatre. Placement at the Black Dahlia. EMMY Award nom for "Broken"), Mouchette van Helsdingen (Originated roles of Broadway director in The Gun, Yoga Teacher in Rainbow Bridge, both world premieres at Ruskin. Gilbert and Sullivan’s Princess Ida at the Young Vic Theatre in London), Jacquelin Lorraine Schofield* (Ovation Award for The Color Purple - Celebration Theatre, Sister Act - CASA 0101, Bronco Billy The Musical – Skylight Theatre Company), Jacquelynne Fontaine* (Carlotta in the National Tour of The Phantom of the Opera. Before that, she played Anna in The King and I at Opera North, Elsa in The Sound of Music at North Shore Music Theatre); Kelsey Griswold (Originated role of Micaela in The Alamo world premiere at Ruskin, TV: American Crime Story: The People VS OJ Simpson, LA’s Finest, Queen America, Sex Drug’s and Rock N Roll).
“Bad Habits” runs at 8 pm Fridays and Saturdays, 2 pm Sundays through January 26, 2020 (No performances: Dec 27 - Dec 29, 2019; Jan 3, 2020). Ruskin Group Theatre is located at 3000 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Tickets are $25 - $35 and can be purchased in advance by calling (310) 397-3244 or online at www.ruskingrouptheatre.com
Free parking available on site.