LA PLUME — The Keystone Players’ upcoming production of “Dearly Departed,” by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones is a family affair in more than one way.

The play, which will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2 and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 3 in Keystone College’s Brooks Theatre, revolves around a wildly dysfunctional family’s frenzied attempt get mean old Bud Turpin buried, while coping with the various skeletons in their own closets. It is also a real-life family affair, since the cast includes Harry Powell and his daughter, Brink Powell.

Set somewhere deep in the Bible Belt, “Dearly Departed” features a passel of characters whose stories manage to be both hilarious and touching. When Bud Turpin, played by Danielle Karwaski, keels over at the breakfast table, everyone mourns his passing, with the possible exception of Raynelle, his wife, played by Brink Powell. Ray-Bud, portrayed by David Swanson, has a deep distaste for funerals, but his long-suffering wife, Lucille, a.k.a. Courtney McCreary, tries to keep him under control. John Vicich plays Junior, another son, who must cope with his failure in business, his emotional wife, Suzanne, portrayed by Kelly Gordon and his brood of no-neck monsters, while Delightful, their younger sister, played by Isabel Anderson, tries to drown her sorrows by eating everything in sight. Meanwhile, Bud’s holier-than-thou sister, Marguerite, portrayed by Mariel Consagra, has her problems with her lay-about son, Royce played by Kevin Burke, and the pastor, portrayed by Harry Krenitsky, must cope with an embarrassing problem.

A gaggle of equally comical friends, including Juanita (Olivia Strunk) and Clyde, Ray-Bud’s boss (Harry Powell), all pitch in as best they can to help get Bud laid to rest. Rounding out the cast are five members of Keystone College’s singing group, “Voices,” who play the Joy of Life Singers. Led by Kaila Ketchum, the group includes Kevin Burke, Mariana Correa Costa, Daienaria Jankowski, and Nick Magarelli.

Jane Honchell is the director.

Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for senior citizens and students. They are available at the door prior to each performance, or may be reserved in advance by calling 570-945-8454 or emailing jane.honchell@keystone.edu.

The family wake turns into a family feud in the Keystone Players’ production of ‘Dearly Departed.’ From left, first row, John Vicich. Second row, K Mariel Consagra, Kevin Burke, Courtney McCreary, David Swanson and Isabel Anderson. Third row, Brink Powell.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_ABJ-Key-Play.jpg.optimal.jpgThe family wake turns into a family feud in the Keystone Players’ production of ‘Dearly Departed.’ From left, first row, John Vicich. Second row, K Mariel Consagra, Kevin Burke, Courtney McCreary, David Swanson and Isabel Anderson. Third row, Brink Powell. Submitted photo

For Abington Journal

Information provided by Keystone College.