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'Monk-y' entertains crowd
July 18 was the date that the Paramount Theatre was graced with intelligent hilarity and wholesome fun. Their source: "Monk-y Business."
"Monk-y Business" is a play about monks who need to raise a mint in a hurry�about a $250,000 mint�in order to keep their monastery from becoming a casino.
The curve balls thrown to the various monks are what make this play so mirthful.
For instance, the solution to raising their crucial funds is a radio benefit that features music and skits. The audience watches intently as they perform on and off the air at the WGOD station.
A difficulty is attributed to the situation later in the play, as one monk is possessed by Satan.
"A miracle does occur (during the play)," said Dan Hanes, the director of the play.
That is the point where inspiration and wholesome morality is offered. With the recent crisis within the church, "Monk-y Business" had some doubts at the onset of its run.
"It's a good sign that people can laugh even though what's been going on," Hanes said. "With the timing of the show, some people have questioned (it). (But) it's going really well. (The public) has responded well."
Executive director of the Paramount Theatre Millward Simpson had to agree.
"It's going very well. It's an extremely high quality play and has had a standing ovation every night (of its run)."
"Monk-y Business" is often compared to Nunsense, which is a play about some nuns who find themselves in an ill-fated situation: 52 of their sisters were unwittingly killed by a tainted batch of soup that gave them all botulism.
So as not to let the other sisters know, who happened not to be present during the unfortunate incident due to a bingo session, one sister starts a greeting card company that is so successful they stumble upon some disposable income.
The reverend then bought a VCR, and they found themselves in yet another financial bind: there was then only enough money to bury 48 of the 52 sisters. The rest of the play is comprised of a talent show to raise money for the burial of the remaining four sisters.
"Honestly," Hanes laughed, "(the play) is somewhat of a rip-off. But not in a bad way."
Either way, the play has had an undoubted success, full of ubiquitous laughs and approval.
With various kinds of humor and an array of music that includes everything from western to jazz to swing, this play will appeal to many audiences, no matter the range in age, sex or spirituality.
The play has been running since July 18, and will continue to run its regular time of seven p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and Sunday at two p.m. Sunday, July 28 will be its last run at the Paramount.
"It's going to be kind of sad to see it go," Hanes said. "But it's been fun."
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