Dearly Departed by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones
In the Baptist backwoods of the Bible Belt, the beleaguered Turpin family proves that living and dying in the South are seldom tidy and always hilarious. Despite their earnest efforts to pull themselves together for their father's funeral, the Turpins' other problems keep overshadowing the solemn occasion: Firstborn Ray-Bud deals in his own way with the mounting the funeral bills; Junior, the younger son, is juggling financial ruin, a pack of no-neck monster kids, and an overbearing wife; their little sister, Delightful, copes with death as she does life, by devouring junk food; and all the neighbors add more than two cents. Amidst the chaos, the Turpins turn for comfort to their friends and neighbors, an eccentric community of misfits who just manage to pull together and help each other through their hours of need, and finally, the funeral.
From Our Director:
I have chosen this play as my first show to direct at North because of the comedic writing, the quirky fun characters and twists throughout the story line. The play offers opportunities for a large cast and new challenges for many of our actors and tech crew as well.
I directed a One Act version in a Black Box Theatre years ago and am very excited to direct the full 2 Act version on our fabulous large stage!
I look forward to having you in our audience! Thank you for your support!
Mary Lee Dewitt