The first production of the 2018-2019 Mainstage Season Series at William Woods University (WWU) will feature the return of an old favorite at The Woods, the hysterical comedy “Dearly Departed.” The opening performance of the production will take place this Thursday, October 4, at Dulany Auditorium on the WWU campus.
“Dearly Departed” tells the story of the dysfunctional Turpin family, who prove that living and dying in the South are seldom tidy and always hilarious, as members of the family attempt to pull themselves together for their father’s funeral. Family problems keep overshadowing the solemn occasion, including Ray-Bud who is too cheap and drinks too much; Junior who juggles financial ruin, monster kids and a wife that suspects him of infidelity; Delightful, who copes by devouring junk food and their crazy neighbors, who all add their two cents. Amidst all the chaos, the Turpins and their misfit friends manage to pull together and help each other out at the funeral.
The production is a second run at William Woods; it initially ran in 1999 to rave reviews, and is now finally being brought back after repeated requests for an encore.
“In light of successful ‘redo’ productions of Steel Magnolias and Faith County here at The Woods, I decided that this would be an opportune time to produce a new, fresh version of Dearly Departed,” said Joe Potter, Artistic Director of the William Woods University Theatre Department. “I felt like it was worth doing again, if we could mix original cast members with new cast members. So the decision was made, the show was cast and now we are in the midst of rehearsals laughing all over again at the Turpin family.”
Performances for Dearly Departed will take place on October 4-6 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee showing on Saturday October 6 at 2 p.m., all in Dulany Auditorium. Parental guidance is suggested.
Ticket prices vary: $11 for adults, $8 for WWU faculty and staff, and $6 for seniors (62+). Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.williamwoods.edu/mainstage, or call (573) 592-4267.
