It’s not often people discuss the Marx Brothers and nuns in the same sentence, but the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing isn’t your average convent.

Fortunately for the Catholic Church, this convent is only found on the stage, and starting Nov. 7 Tom Smith's “Drinking Habits” will be performed at the Marion Art Center.

“It’s a very silly play. It’s a comedy of errors,” said Michele Letourneau who plays the novice Sister Mary Catherine.

The farcical two-act play centers around two winemaking sisters, Sister Philomena and Sister Augusta, who have been fermenting the convents’ grapes in secret and selling the wine to keep the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing afloat.

“They’re the comic relief of the play. They sneak around in their habits and do all sorts of wacky things,” said Linda Landry who dons a habit as Sister Philomena.

“They’re very much like Lucy and Ethel,” said Letourneau.

Besides trying to keep Mother Superior, portrayed by Suzie Kokkins, from discovering their secret, the sisters have to contend with two reporters who disguise themselves as a priest and a nun in order to discover who has been making the wine.

To add to that, Mother Superior is trying to suss out a mole sent from Rome to shut down the convent.

“At the end of the play there’s a whole series of revelations that will be fun for the audience to discover,” said Director Dr. Rex McGraw.

The challenge with such a fast-paced and physical play (it includes a mime scene and a slow-motion scene) is mastering the speed and clarity of the dialog and the constant movement on stage.

“Somebody comes into the room about every minute,” McGraw said. “It’s like the Marx Brothers.”

Many in the play are veterans at the art center, including the ladies of last summer's popular “Dixie Swim Club.”

“We’ve done many plays together, and we enjoy working together,” said Letourneau. “We’re a pretty well oiled machine at this point.”

Newcomer Prescott Crocker plays the clueless Father Chenille and said he’s enjoyed working with the other cast members.

“I’m dazzled by the talent here,” said Crocker, a long-time member of the art center. “This is a bunch of theater groupies who really know their way around.”

Besides being a lot of fun, proceeds from the play will help support the art center’s youth programs.

And lest anyone be worried that the play is poking fun at the Catholic Church, Mark Letourneau, who takes on the role of groundskeeper George Donnelly, says it's not offensive.

“It’s not slamming Catholics. We’re Catholics and we think it’s funny,” he said.

Performances are Nov. 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9. Tickets are $12.50 for art center members and $15 for general admission.  Guests are invited to bring their own refreshments. Cabaret tables are available for reserved parties of four or more.

Reservations are highly recommended. Call 508-748-1266 or email marionartcenter@verizon.net. Leave a message with your name, phone number, the number of tickets needed and the show date.