FROM THE DIRECTOR:

"How can a play about a funeral be funny?"

The script of Dearly Departed arrived with much anticipation, since our Script Committee had read stellar reviews by other members of the American Association of Community Theaters. It only took the opening scene to start the guffaws of our entire committee. It’s funny.

I began to think about the themes and universal appeal that makes audiences NOT from the southern part of the US enjoy it so much. The temptation would be to make caricatures out of this lovable but dysfunctional family and their friends. Since both authors have experience as sitcom writers and actors, it would be easy and no doubt entertaining…but like fast food and network sitcoms…easily forgettable.

So we looked deeper into the characters and found people we know… and sometimes are. We found that in the saddest times humor can somehow get us through the unthinkable. And that the saddest times seem to bring out all that lies beneath the surface in our families…things that need to be said…or to remain unsaid. We realized that so many powerful family moments take place in the most mundane places, namely the kitchen and the car. Therefore, we chose to present the show in very simple staging to let you really focus on the people you will come to know…and perhaps recognize.

This cast is a wonderful amalgam of veterans and fresh new talent as our stage family and friends. Our musical addition of a “real” Merline and a full Joy of Life choir will have you singing that Old Time Gospel as you leave this theater! They have been supported by staff and crew who are equally dedicated to “getting it right” and making it the most enjoyable show possible. That has been inspiring for me and I cannot fully express my respect and appreciation to our community theater family.

Rather than judging the Turpins, I hope you will smile and remember that we all have a little “Turpin” in us somewhere. .. Becky Dilworth “God gives us an imagination to compensate for what we are not….and a sense of humor to compensate for what we are.”

Becky Dilworth

"God gives us an imagination to compensate for what we are not...and a sense of humor to compensate for what we are."