TPNC Presents: Dearly Departed

Dearly Departed

ABOUT THE PLAY

In the backwoods of the Bible Belt, the beleaguered Turpin family proves that living and dying in the South are seldom tidy and always hilarious. Despite earnest efforts to pull themselves together for their father’s funeral, other problems overshadow the solemn occasion: Firstborn Ray-Bud drinks himself silly as the funeral bills mount; Junior, the younger son, is juggling financial ruin, a pack of no-neck monster kids, and a wife who suspects him of infidelity in the family car; their spinster sister, Delightful, copes with death as she does life, by devouring junk food; and all the neighbors add more than two cents. As mishaps mount, Ray-Bud says to his long-suffering wife, “When I die, don’t tell nobody. Just bury me in the backyard and tell everybody I left you.” In the chaos, the Turpins gain comfort from an eccentric community of misfit friends and neighbors. Together, they survive their hours of need, and finally, the funeral.

“Dearly Departed is drop dead funny” — The New York Daily News

Director: Chris Peterson
Producer: Katey Henninger
Stage Manager: Bethany Schalow

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

David Bottrell is a minister’s son who grew up in Louisa, Kentucky. He co-authored Dearly Departed and its feature film adaptation Kingdom Come, starring Whoopi Goldberg, L.L. Cool J. and Jada Pinkett-Smith. Mr. Bottrell also is an actor and comedian who has worked in NY at Second Stage, the Public Theater, the Manhattan Punch Line, Long Wharf Theatre and the Actors Theatre of Louisville. His television work includes 8 episodes on ABC’s Boston Legal playing the creepy and homicidal Lincoln Meyer as well as guest starring roles on Head of the Class, JAG, Caroline in the City, Mad About You, Dharma & Greg, Days of our Lives, Ugly Betty, Criminal Minds, iCarly, Castle, Bones, Harry’s Law, NCIS, Justified, and Mad Men.

Jessie Jones co-authored Dearly Departed and its feature film adaptation Kingdom Come, starring Whoopi Goldberg, L.L. Cool J. and Jada Pinkett-Smith. Her short stories have been published in literary journals, and she has written for television sitcoms and an animated series for Walt Disney Productions. As an actor, Jessie has appeared onstage in New York and in regional theatres as well as in television and film. She is also a member of the Jones Hope Wooten writing team which is behind comedies such as The Dixie Swim Club, The Hallelujah Girls and ‘Til Beth Do Us Part.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Chris Peterson is thrilled to be directing his fourth production with the Town Players. His previous Powerhouse productions are, Love Sex & the IRS, Same Time Next Year and Boeing Boeing. His other directing credits include, Private Lives, Crimes of the Heart, The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Godspell, The Taming of the Shrew, Antigone and Barefoot in the Park. Chris will also be directing Noel Coward’s Relative Values at the Wilton Playshop later this spring. As an actor, Chris has appeared on stage with theatres such as Eastbound Theatre, Westport Community Theatre and Curtain Call. When he is not directing, Chris works in admissions for SUNY Purchase College and serves as Editor in Chief of OnStage (onstageblog.com), which covers all things theatre. He would like to dedicate this production to his newborn son, Sam and wife Nicole.

THE CAST

Nancy Sinacori: Raynelle Turpin

Marc Hartog: Ray-Bud Turpin

Amber Mason: Lucielle Turpin

Roger Dykeman: Junior Turpin

Deborah Burke: Suzanne Turpin

Marcia Cummings-Vinci: Marguerite

Daniel Mann: Royce

David Jackins: Reverend Hooker

Anya Caravella: Juanita & Joy of Life Singer

Rita Schaffer: Veda & Joy of Life Singer

Stefanie Woerdeman: Delightful, Nadine & Joy of Life Singer

Jeff Rossman: Bud, Clyde, Norval & Announcer