You’ll likely see someone you know, that’s one of the things people enjoy best.But there’s lots of humor in it, and everyone knows what it’s like when there’s a death in the family.
Not that death is funny, it’s human nature that’s funny, and it always kicks in when there’s a family funeral.
It’s the stuff the play “Dearly Departed” is built on, and the Pell City Players are bringing it back for one more show due to popular demand.
There were two performances in March, but people kept asking for more, said Julie Funderburg, who plays Lucille in the production.
“I think people really liked it because it’s a lighthearted production,” she said.
Lucille is the daughter-in-law of Bud Turpin, who dies suddenly at the breakfast table one morning.
The play is set in the South, making it all the more real for audiences in Alabama.
“It takes something people are familiar with and uses humor and people relate to it,” said Kathy McCoy, director for Pell City Center and also an actor in the play.
When Turpin, the patriarch of a not so well to do Southern family, dies, all kinds of issues with family problems come to light.
Turpin’s death brings the family together, at least physically, and the rest of the play shows what comes to pass as the family tried to get him buried.
Raynelle is the not so sad widow, who calls a spade a spade as she sees it, terming her late husband as “mean” and “surly.”
She even wants the words put on her husband’s tombstone.
Others in the family look for something kinder in their late family member.
Raynelle has three sons, with one is in prison. Junior has lost all his money trying to start a business washing parking lots and his wife, His wife, Suzanne, rubs his nose in his failures.
The third son, Ray-Bud, comes closest in the Turpin family to being anything close to normal.
At least he has a job, he’s the only one who does, but he laments he’ll be stuck with his father’s funeral bill.
You’ll also meet an array of eccentric friends and neighbors who come to call after Turpin’s death.
Dearly Departed will be presented just once more, Saturday, May 10 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students, teachers and senior citizens. Tickets are available at Pell City Center and you may call the box office at 205/338-1974. The office is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Many who have already seen the play want to see it again, McCoy said.
“I really appreciate the Pell City Players doing this play again,” she said. “They’re raising more money for the Pell City Center.”
“People will find someone to relate to in this play,” Funderburg said. “I think everyone will see someone in their family here, they may not tell them about it, but I think they’ll see that.”
“It’s just a very funny comedy,” McCoy said.
The cast includes Leah Blow as Suzanne, Christina Snyder as Delightful, Will Foote as Clyde, Chuck Moore as Norville, Kathy McCoy as Veda, Julie Funderburg as Lucille, Erskine Funderburg as Bud, Brenda McKay as marguerite, Danielle Daly as Raynelle, Norman Wilder as Royce, Steve Valdez as Rev. Hooker, Wes Savage as Junior, Nichole Anderson as Juanita, David Foote as Ray Bud and Holly Allen as Nadine.
