Ridgewater Theatre to Present Comedy “Dearly Departed”

Ridgewater Theatre to Present Comedy “Dearly Departed” January 25 & 26, 7:00 pm

“Dearly Departed” will hit the stage of the Ridgewater College Theatre come January 25 & 26 at Ridgewater’s Wilmar campus. The box office opens at 6:00 p.m., doors to the theatre open at 6:30 p.m., and shows start at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available at the Ridgewater Bookstores in Hutchinson and Willmar and at the door on show nights. Admission is free for students and staff.

Written by David Dean Bottrell and Jessie Jones, “Dearly Departed” is a Southern-fried comedy of rural chaos and casket humor set in the backwoods of the Bible Belt where the Turpin family experiences life and death in messy and hilarious ways.

Despite efforts to collect themselves for a family funeral, other distractions such as drinking, bills, children, and neighbors overshadow the solemn occasion. A community of eccentric misfits helps to pull them together in their time of need.

“It’s always fun to work with students and community members on a new show, and this has been no exception,” said Ridgewater Director Matt Hegdahl. “The cast has been putting in countless hours in and out of rehearsal learning lines, honing their Southern drawls, and helping with the construction of the set.”

This play contains some mature language and content and may not be suitable for all ages.

Leading roles and cast members include:

Raynelle, the mother, played by Averi Linn of Spicer
Ray-Bud, the oldest son – Christopher DeLong, New London
Lucille, Ray-Bud’s wife – Acacia Banken, Willmar
Junior, the youngest son – Gavin Johnson, New London
Suzanne, Junior’s wife – Hayden Saulsbury, Willmar
Delightful/Nadine, the youngest and only daughter – Kylee Dickmann, Sauk Centre

Other cast members include:

Bud Turpin/ Norval – Javin Lucas, Raymond
Marguerite/ Veda – Lily DeVries, Hutchinson
Royce – Joel Bothun, Willmar
Rev B.H. Hooker – Nathan Saulsbury, Kensington
Clyde – Tallie Prekker, Clara City
Juanita – Tannisha Runia, Willmar