“This is a delightful play,” Director Wendy Tuttle said. “Part of the reason that State Street chose to do this again is when we did the first ‘Drinking Habits,’ it was a success for both the audience and the cast. That show, you’re cheeks were hurting from laughing, and this is a sequel to it.”

For those who enjoyed the first show, Tuttle said that it will be a delightful and humorous sequel. For those who missed it, Tuttle said not to worry.

“This show could be a stand alone show,” Tuttle said. “They explain any background you need to know conversationally, so you don’t have to have seen the first one to really feel better about this one.”

The play tells of the Convent of the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing attempting to raise money for an orphanage by putting on a play of their own. However, things go awry, and the eight cast members then have to deal with the hijinks that ensue.

Standing (l-r): Michael Koester (George), Jennifer Deutz (Kate), Tyler Brigger (Paul), Terrin Boozikee (Sally), Michelle Gag (Sister Philamena), Gwen Ruff (Sister Augusta). Sitting (l-r): Tom Kaehler (Father Chenille), Marie Guggisberg (Mother Superior).

“The play’s really fun and it’s a very kind play,” Tuttle said. “It’s sweet. The people are trying to be nice to each other and help each other out, even thought the people have their faults.”

Tuttle has been directing community and school plays for 35 years and has worked with several of the actors and crew members before.

“I’m lucky to have the backstage crew,” Tuttle said. “You can’t do theater without backstage. My whole cast helped put the set up — the expertise of trying to get the doors in correctly and make sure they don’t stick. The people in the booth, they have been so patient. (Technical Advisor) Jay (Tamborino), he finds the sounds. Jerilyn (Kjellberg), she does everything, she’s amazing. She’s my stage manager. It’s nice to have a crew that I’ve worked with.”

Some of the actors from the first play come back to reprise their role, but there are also some newcomers. Tuttle said that this cast has been a great experience to work with and have blended together very well.

“What’s really nice is everyone gets along in this cast,” Tuttle said. “They click. The chemistry between them is great. We’ve spent a lot of time laughing, just because we get along so well. It’s great to have such a good cast.

Marie Guggisberg (left), playing Mother Superior, and Michael Koester (right), playing George, rehearse a scene at State Street Theater in New Ulm.

“This cast, they’re all experienced actors, and some of them, because they were in the show before, it makes it easier because they’ve already been inside that character’s skin. The two nuns that play off each other, one of them was in the previous play and one of them wasn’t, so they really built it up nicely. The beautiful thing about theater is the difference between the first Augusta and this Augusta, so it’s kind of fun do to that.”

Tuttle said that, since the cast is made up of more experienced actors, she has found it much easier to get the results she’s looking for.

“Every show I’m in, you have a lot of talented people,” Tuttle said. “But it sticks out how really talented these people are and how easy it is to work with them, because you’re starting at a whole other level with having volunteer theater. The play itself lends itself to having fun and being communal and that sort of stuff.”