My Dearly Departed Experience!!

            Entering the Gillespy theatre I really had no idea what the play I was about to view would be about. I had been to the New Journal Center (i.e. the death of the actual News Journal) twice before. I had never actually been there to view a performance though. You see I had been there for meet and greet conference type things. But once I entered I noticed it was another “in the round” situation just like Anna in the Tropics.

            Since I had arrived early enough I was able to snag a seat that was 3^rd row and center facing the front of the stage. Once I sat down I realized this was a much bigger space than the previous play I had seen. For one thing the stage was an actually raised stage and there was a definite division of backstage and the performance area. Performers could leave and enter from either stage right or left (interesting enough they seemed to enter mostly from the theater entrances from my right and left).

            The backdrop of the stage had different product labels dangling like mobiles. You saw various products that are closely related to a southern way of life. NASCAR, SEE ROCK CITY, Jack Daniels, Moon Pie, Grits etc, could be seen as a character shaping the scene. Also, numerous country songs were blaring out of the p.a. speakers setting the tone, they were mostly playful and “redneck”, the same types of songs were used briefly during the play as a cue the current scene had ended.

            Throughout the play different props were used to set the scene very minimally. Chairs, small tables, a couch, and a door were pretty much all of the props used except for food but I’ll get to that later.

            The play was about a southern family’s coming to terms with the death of the central family’s father/husband Bud. This death occurs at the breakfast table at the very beginning of the family. Raynelle is patriarch of the family with her children Ray-Bud, Junior, and Delightful. Raynelle has a sister Marguerite who is a very religious and strict mother of a lay-a-bout son Royce. Marguerite tends to be right to the point and almost high strung throughout the play. Royce is lazy but actually has a real sense of clarity about life.

            The main story has to do with Ray-Bud and his feelings of responsibility for everybody. He feels like he has to assume control over everything or else things will fall apart and he really despises it. He is married to Lucille who turns out to be his clarity in life, a real sedative to his inner turmoil. His brother Junior is useless in that he is just a dreamer and nothing more. Junior’s relationship with his wife Suzanne and their kids is dysfunctional to say the least. Delightful is an interesting character who turns out to be a great comic relief throughout the play, and food is an extension of her character.

            Throughout the story there are parts where each main character is working their way through Bud’s death and how they actually feel about it. These therapy sessions are worked through with minor characters except for Ray-Bud’s final one with his mother. The resolution really comes when after everything falls apart at the funeral (Pastor diarrhea, Junior and Suzanne making out) and Ray-Bud finally realizes how silly he’s been acting and what is really important.

            This play had excellent execution and comedic performance. I felt engrossed in it and laughed almost continuously at these very lovable and crazy characters. My wife actually snorted at one point when Delightful was eating cheese whiz and put a little to much in her mouth and couldn’t swallow it. Moments like that really kept the light hearted vibe really going throughout the play. I have recommended this play to my friends and I hope they go and check it out!