RSVP Community Theatre's latest offering 'Southern Fried Funeral' opens this weekend

Philip Shore

ASHEBORO — RSVP, with the assistance of the City of Asheboro, will present “Southern Fried Funeral” at the Sunset Theatre on Sunset Avenue in Downtown Asheboro.  

Play dates are Tuesday and Thursday, Feb. 27 & 28 and March 6 &7 at 7 p.m., with Sunday matinees March 1 & 8 at 2:30 p.m. 

You may be asking, “What in the name of cultural history are we to make of the title of this play? Just how hicky are we, the residents of the southern portion of the United States? What in tarnation!” 

As director of this play and writer of these paragraphs, let me take a moment to answer.  

The play is a pretty nice piece of community theatre that has already been enthusiastically enjoyed in various theatres across the nation. (Mostly, I am sure, by people who think southerners are a bubble off plumb. These folks don’t understand spirit levels or how accurate they are when it comes to shouting out a true reading.)  

The show is populated by people who are easy to recognize, appreciate and enjoy. There are big laughs, tee-hees, guffaws and even moments of somber reflection. As a cultural meal, it is a balanced, easily  digestible, not too much Karo or Crisco. RSVP proudly offers it to you, our home audience for a relaxed evening’s entertainment. 

We of the lower states sometimes get a bad rap for being from whence we are and we don’t deserve it. History has moved on all the way up to the present. Things held against us in the past have lost their import.  

There’s work yet to be done, of course, but our society is inclusive, educated, forward-looking and excited to be a part of the good things in life. 

Osborne and Eppler — the writing team who penned “Funeral” — work out of Nashville. J.Dietz Osborne has a solid 20 years of performance and writing experience. His home base for production is the Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre in Nashville. Nate Eppler is a writer and serves as Playwright-in-Residence for the Nashville Repertory Theatre. He also runs a trailer park. 

Somehow, that sounds about right. 

The action of “Funeral” takes place in the Frye family home in New Edinburg, Mississippi. The pater familias of the household, Dewey Frye, Sr., has up and died. We meet him only in the past tense. The family is in shock. While neighbors and church friends try to soften the blow, the blow remains a hammer-strike. 

Laurine Varner portrays Dorothy Frye, the matriarch. She wrangles her son and two daughters as they are affected by distress. Daughter Sammy Jo (Alisa McNeill) steps forward to do what has to be done. She is sure no one else is doing anything. Daughter Harlene (Meredith Mitchell) flies in from Dallas. She picks up the easy stuff. Twixt the sisters: Friction. 

Dewey Frye Jr., is a rather large little lost lamb who, oddly, makes the most sense of all the family members. Alex Navy portrays Dewey Jr. 

The remaining blood relative to discuss is a character named Dub Frye, brother of the deceased. Dub is a man of vision, especially if he is seeing the value in his late brother’s property. You should and you will see his eyes light up when he thinks of how he can develop the land his brother’s house sits on. David Kolb inhabits Dub’s persona. 

Philip Schuyler is Atticus Van Leer, lawyer and former suitor of Harlene. Her coming home brings back memories of a love interrupted and a breath of a future.  

Scott Murkin is Beecham Lefette, a local businessman and husband to Sammy Jo and their two sons, Royce and Doyce. He loves his wife, but she is a handful. 

He is up to the task. 

This play has a trio of witnesses and reporters. Nothing escapes their attention and analysis. 

Martha Ann Fox (Sharon Cagle), Fairy June Cooper (Carol Bulla-Smith) and Benny Charles (JB Griffith III) are neighbors and church friends. They attempt to mean well. Martha Ann tries to keep Fairy June in order. Fairy June has no order. Benny Charles was a good friend to Dewey Sr. but Benny Charles’ slip-slidey toupee obtains more notice. 

There is one more personage in this entourage. She is that somewhat indescribable being of which one is provided in each community. Ozelle Meeks is performed by Jules Sparks. A bundle of energy you wish would go away, Ozelle is the current funeral planner of the Sonshine Committee at church, a position to which Martha Ann may later aspire. 

These personalities comprise the dramatis personae. Authors Osborne and Eppler have brought this collection together for your delectation.  

Bringing the show to life, we have Alecia Kellum as Stage Manager and Assistant Director. Stephen Ellison has designed the lighting plot with several sensitive touches. Stalwart Charlie White will run the light board during performances. Ethan Everhart is going to make sure you can hear every pearl that is dropped. As Props Mistress, only the best, Michele Dawes. 

Tickets are available at the door for cash or card, online sales at RSVPtheatre.org, and a trip to Brightside Gallery will get you tickets for cash or check only. This show is clean as a hounds tooth with a couple of arch sideswipes, but the older you are above 14, the better.  

This show has no cussing; no embarrassing things to watch, and an ending that will make you want to go out for ice cream.  

Come join us for a good time provided by talented RSVP players in the beautiful Sunset Theatre.