Dearly Departed, written by David
Bottrell and Jessie Jones, is a Southern comedy centered on a family coming
together at a funeral. The show runs from April 11th through April 27th,
with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm.
Directed by Lauren Fortuna, the show will be held on Asheville Community
Theatre’s Mainstage. Tickets are $22.00 for adults, $19.00 for seniors (65+)
and students, and $12.00 for children 17 and under. Tickets can be purchased
online on the ACT website, by phone, or in person at the ACT box office located
at 35 East Walnut Street in downtown Asheville.
Dearly Departed is set in the
Baptist backwoods somewhere below the Mason-Dixon line. The extended Turpin
family is gathering for the funeral of Bud, the patriarch of the family whose
untimely and undignified passing included falling out of a kitchen chair during
breakfast. In between casket selections (“The Gentleman Farmer” or “The
Diplomat”?) and managing the post-funeral potluck (“Peach cobbler” or “Macaroni
and Ham Loaf Surprise with Cheese”?), the family also deals with marriage
infidelities, mounting funeral bills, and a preacher with gastro-intestinal
issues. Dearly Departed is co-authored
by Jessie Jones, who has recently partnered with Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten
to write a series of hugely popular comedies, including Dearly Beloved, Southern Hospitality, The Dixie Swim Club, and others.
Dearly Departed features an array of
funny characters who find themselves in situations that range from almost
normal to slightly absurd. ACT’s production features a cast of 19 which
includes veterans and newcomers to the ACT stage. Diane Chapman, Craig Justus,
Waylon Wood and Honor Moor are among the familiar faces returning to the ACT
stage while Amy LaDeroute, Judi Pratt, and Susie Davis are among those making
their ACT debuts.
This marks the fourth time that director
Lauren Fortuna has directed Dearly Departed. “It kind of feels
like home,” said Fortuna. “This show illustrates that the love of friends and
family is what helps pulls you through.” Fortuna
is also well known for her onstage roles in Live
From WVL Radio: It’s A Wonderful Life, Moonlight and Magnolias, and others
in the Asheville area.
For
more information about Dearly Departed or the rest of ACT’s
Mainstage season, please visitwww.ashevilletheatre.org.
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