Sunday, February 23, 3:00 – 6:00PM
Monday, February 24, 6:00 – 9:00PM
The Broadview Heights Spotlights Theater will hold auditions for Dearly Departed by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones.
Auditions will occur on Sunday, February 23 from 3:00PM to 6:00PM and Monday, February 24 from 6:00 – 9:00PM at the Broadview Heights Spotlights Theater, located on the Broadview Center Property next to the Police Station, 9543 Broadview Road.
The show will be directed by Tyson Douglas Rand and will run April 24th – May 9th. Rehearsals will begin in the week of March 8. Auditioners are asked to bring a list of conflicts from March 8 through February 24 to list on the audition form. All roles are unpaid/volunteer.
Auditions will consist of readings from the script. Resumes and headshots are welcomed, but not required.
About the Show
In the Baptist backwoods of the Bible Belt, the beleaguered Turpin family proves that living and dying in the South are seldom tidy and always hilarious. Despite their earnest efforts to pull themselves together for their father’s funeral, the Turpin’s other problems keep overshadowing 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 the situation becomes fraught with mishap, 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.” Amidst the chaos, the Turpins turn for comfort to their friends and neighbors, an eccentric community of misfits who just manage to pull together and help each other through their hours of need, and finally, the funeral.
Character Breakdown
(The director is likely to double several roles.)
Bud Turpin: Family patriarch who dies in the 1st scene.
Raynelle Turpin: Bud’s widow – Christian family woman who tells it like it is in a quiet unassuming manner.
Ray-Bud Turpin: Raynelle and Bud’s Eeder son – recovering alcoholic terribly afraid of death and none too happy to foot funeral bill.
Lucille Turpin: Ray-Bud’s wife – desperately wants to have a baby but cannot carry to full term. Motherly type who takes care of everyone.
Junior Turpin: Raynelle and Bud’s younger son – completely broke because of poor business decision. Recently had an affair that his wife finds out about.
Suzanne Turpin: Junior’s wife – completely broke because of Junior’s bad business decision. A bit passive/aggressive personality. Sings hymn at funeral.
Marguerite: Bud’s sister – devoutly and aggressively Christian, very loud and controlling of her offspring and any situation.
Royce: Marguerite’s son – out of work with no future plans, which his mother never lets him forget. More of an observer than a doer.
Delightful: Bud and Raynelle’s daughter – the youngest who was never really allowed to grow up. Eats constantly and only speaks when spoken to.
Reverend Hooker: Parish minister – a minister tired of ministering. Becomes “Ill” at funeral.
Veda: Elderly friend of the family – caregiver to her sickly husband and doesn’t let anyone forget it.
Norval: Veda’s husband – hard of hearing and hard to understand. Kept alive by oxygen masks and meds.
Nadine A younger friend of the family – seems to get pregnant just by looking at a man. All of her children named after famous actors.
Clyde: Ray-Bud’s boss – knows exactly how he wants to die. First priority is to “take care of our own.”
Juanita: Cousin by marriage – very wealthy and proper. Bit of a gossip.
The Joy of Life Singers: At least 3 actors who will be required to sing- they will be doubled from the other characters
