Opening night for the Sun City Players production of “Drinking Habits” is Friday, Nov. 15. This farcical play by Tom Smith will be directed by Greg Engstrom, who is no stranger to Sun City community theater patrons. This will be his third directing assignment, having previously been responsible for “Making God Laugh” in 2018 and “Over the Rainbow and Through the Woods” in 2019.

In addition, Engstrom has acted in 11 plays since 2012, with his most recent appearance as Sam in the Sun City Players’ spring 2024 production of “The Cemetery Club.” Besides his acting and directing stints with Sun City Players, Engstrom has served as president of the club, ushered at many performances, worked on both set construction and backstage crews and was instrumental in the initial startup of the Wednesday Clubhouse workshops.

“Drinking Habits” is a fast paced comedy involving nuns, priests, reporters, spies, intrigue, lost loves, lies and redemption, while, at the same time, poking fun at Roman Catholic traditions. The story takes place in a small convent somewhere in New Mexico. Two dedicated nuns comprise the entire order of the “Sisters of Perpetual Sewing.” The cast consists of three men and five women.

“Directing this play will be my greatest challenge yet, since it was written to be performed by much younger people than the seniors in our club. However, we are blessed with many wonderfully talented members, who I know will be more than up to the task,” said Engstrom.

Presenting this play, as with all of Sun City Players’ productions, requires the sacrifice and dedication of many club members. Before the first curtain rises, a set must be designed and built, logos, posters and programs must be outlined and printed, costumes must be procured and fitted, sound and lighting must be coordinated and many weeks of rehearsals must take place.

“For many of us, agreeing to accept the task of performing a play literally means accepting a three-month full time job. The effort of no less than 30 club members is required for the successful presentation of this production. Our only compensation is the sound of the audience’s laughter and applause,” said Engstrom.

Join the Sun City Players the weekends of Nov. 15-17 and Nov. 22-24 at the Mountain View Recreation Center, 9749 N. 107th Ave.

For complete ticket information and pricing, visit suncityplayers.org. While there, individuals can also purchase tickets for the spring musical production of “The 1940’s Radio Hour,” debuting the weekends of March 14-16 and March 21-23, 2025, and at the same time receive a discount to see both shows.