Dearly Departed
Concludes our 7th season with the comedy
“Dearly Departed”
A Comedy by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones
Directed by Diane Malone
See San Antonio Express News review at bottom of page
All photos by Scott Smith
Dearly Departed Cast & Crew Bios
Cast:
Raynelle ~ Phyllis Lee, Raybud ~ Kevin Majors, Lucille ~ Cyndi Lucas
Junior ~ Charles Riley, Suzanne ~ Charlita Williams,
Marguerite ~ Denise Swain, Royce ~ Raymond Moore,
Delightful/ Nadine ~ Alexis Castro, Juanita ~ Suzanne Brown, Veda ~ Cynthia Castro,
Reverend Hooker ~ Rick Clyde, Clyde/Norval ~ Enrique Lara, The Joy Of Life Singers ~ Cast
Understudies ~ Jenelva Carter and Danielle King
Crew:
Assistant Director ~ Jenelva Carter, Stage Manager ~ Schronda Donald
Props ~ Cast and Crew, Set Construction, Eric Platt,
Sound Design ~ Rick Malone, Light Design Jesse Arenas, Costumes ~ Cast, Light Board Operator ~ Scharlette Donald, Sound Board Operator ~ Belinda Saldana Dominguez, Prop Mistress ~ Cynthia Castro, Stage Hands ~
Jonathan Ross and Moriah Vann
House Manager ~ Paula King, Assistant Producer Danielle King
Producer ~ Paul Riddle Jr.
Jump Start Theatre
108 Blue Star San Antonio, Texas 78204
Mapquest
Dates: July 11, 2008 to July 27, 2008
Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening shows at 8 pm
Sunday Matinee at 4 pm
$10.00 Admission for anyone on Thursday July 17 & 24, 2008
Only cash or check accepted on Thursday for tickets-
no Paypal
General Admission $18
Discounts for Military and Students $15
Seniors $13
SATCO and ATAC members $10
Only Cash or Check accepted at the door
Pay Online for Just $15
Please include the following when using Paypal;
show date, number in your party and phone number
For more information call (210) 656-0349
All photos by Scott Smith
San Antonio Express News review of “Dearly Departed”
Web Posted: 07/17/2008 6:18 GMT
Review: ‘Dearly Departed’
By Deborah Martin- Express-News Staff Writer
After 39 years of marriage, newly widowed Raynelle Turpin (Phyllis Lee) knows exactly how her late husband’s tombstone should read: “Mean and surly.”
The debate over what should be carved on the stone — Raynelle’s sister-in-law Marguerite (the indispensable Denise Swain) argues for a long Bible passage — is but one of the comic paths in “Dearly Departed,” currently getting a bang-up staging by the Renaissance Guild.
The show, which was adapted into the 2001 film “Kingdom Come,” follows the contentious Turpins as they plan and pull off patriarch Bud’s funeral.
Director Diane Malone and her cast strike precisely the right note throughout, nailing the affectionate exasperation that’s part of many family enterprises. The fun begins before the actors take the stage, with an audio ad for the fictional Depew’s Funeral Home, “where funerals are cheaper by the dozen.” It’s a great mood-setter.
There’s some nicely staged physical comedy, including a laugh-out-loud funny fight over a car radio between Bible-thumper Marguerite and her allegedly shiftless son Royce (Raymond Moore); a fist fight that takes place behind a sofa, treating the audience to lots of flailing arms and legs; and a largely silent reconciliation between battling couple Junior (Charles Riley) and his wife Suzanne (the scene-stealing Charlita Williams).
As funny as the show is, some of the best moments are the quietly moving heart-to-hearts, including one between brothers Junior and Ray-Bud (played with authority by Kevin Majors), and a later conversation between Raynelle and Ray-Bud.
There are also lots of small moments in the background that add texture to the show. The bored-out-of-their-minds Joy of Life Singers (Williams, Alexis Castro, Cyndi Lucas and Jenelva Carter) contribute mightily to a radio broadcast by the Rev. Hooker (Rick Clyde); and there’s also an entertaining back-and-forth between Raynelle’s late-life child Delightful (Castro) and her sister-in-law (Lucas) over snack sneaking at the wake.
The show ends the Renaissance Guild’s seventh season on a winning note.
