Revenge of the Monks

I certainly hope the Catholic Church has a good sense of humor. With shows such as Nunsense, Late Nite Catechism, and Altar Boyz, that denomination seems to be fertile ground for farce.


Another such production is Monky Business, which the Village Players Theatre is presenting as its season opener.

Directed by Wes Skinner, the musical by Todd Mueller and Hank Boland has the sketchiest of plots: The monks of St. Bernard's monastery are presenting a radiothon to raise $250,000 to save their home from a real estate developer who wants to turn it into a casino.

This gives rise to such jokes as, "If we don't raise that $250,000, it will be hard to maintain our vow of poverty."

Skinner has assembled a fine cast for his evening of merriment.

Ben Lumbrezer plays the befuddled head of the monastery, Abbott Costello. His flock consists of Brother Brooks (David Dysard), a take-charge guy who borders on being a control freak; Brother Clarence (Matt Richardson), who recently came to the monastery after spending many years as a hermit; Brother Forte (Jeffrey Thomas King), a mute, and the nave and innocent Brother Lee Love (Paul Soska), who was left at the monastery as a baby and knows no other life.

It's hard to play favorites among the monks, but Brother Forte stands out. The character may not speak, but actor King turns body language into an art, with an elastic face that he can twist into an amazing range of emotions, topped off by a smile that the angels would covet.

One reason it's hard to play favorites is that the cast meshes beautifully. The performers act as if they've known each other for years and are well acquainted with individual foibles and quirks.

The action takes place inside a radio station, WGOD, donated for the evening by the Liturgical Order of Radio Directors (LORD, get it?). The entire show is filled with such silly references, as well as passing tributes to such classics as Abbott and Costello's Who's on First routine, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Music Man.

The set is dominated by a large cross, which is lit when the show is live and dimmed when it's not. As the monks fill the air with silly skits, songs, and ads for toupees and venison pie, trying to drum up donations ("God loves a cheerful giver"), the devil is not about to lose his chance to get rid of a monastery.

The songs are goofy, with lyrics such as "We swim against the flow/we got no HBO" and "When you got the lord/you don't need room and board."

Skinner and his able cast make such lyrics and accompanying antics look easy, which probably means they've worked like the dickens to keep the fun flowing.

It's no miracle that they've succeeded.

"Monky Business" continues through Sept. 24 in the Village Players theater, 2740 Upton Ave. Performances are 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for students and seniors. Information: 419-472-6817.