Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
A dysfunctional Southern family comes together to plan a funeral in this character-driven ensemble comedy. When the Turpin family patriarch Bud suddenly dies of a stroke, his sons Ray-Bud and Junior, sister Marguerite, and widow Raynelle do their best to ensure a dignified memorial, but familial squabbles quickly get in the way. Junior’s wife Suzanne (correctly) accuses him of infidelity, a resentful Ray-Bud drinks to deal with his resentment over footing the bill for a service being handled by the funeral home of his arch rival, and Raynelle seems more concerned with ensuring that Bud’s legacy as “mean and surly” is quite literally carved in stone. Dearly Departed is a side-splitting ensemble comedy that’s at once a parody of and a love letter to life in the Deep South.
Show Information
- Book
- David Bottrell , Jessie Jones
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1991
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- In around the fictional Southern towns of Lula and Timson., Present day.
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Dramatists Play Service
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Regional Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Elderly, Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Silent |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
|
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Guide Written By:
Kevan Dunkelberg
Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright