Angelo State Theatre to Debut Southern Comedy ‘Dearly Departed’

SAN ANGELO, TX - University Theatre at Angelo State University will present the ensemble comedy "Dearly Departed" for its fall dinner theatre production, beginning Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the ASU Modular Theatre inside the Carr Education-Fine Arts (EFA) Building at 2602 Dena Drive.

Show times will be at 8 p.m. each night Nov. 19-23, with the doors opening for dinner service at 6:45 p.m. There will also be a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee finale on Nov. 24, with the doors opening for dinner service at 12:45 p.m.

Tickets are $25 for the general public, $20 for Arts at ASU subscribers and non-ASU students, and $15 for ASU students and ASU activity card holders. Tickets are available for purchase online at angelo.edu/boxoffice or through the ASU box office in the Carr EFA Building.

"Dearly Departed" is a side-splitting ensemble comedy that's at once a satire of and a love letter to life in the Deep South. 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. As they deal with the aftermath of their father's funeral, the Turpins' other problems keep overshadowing it. The play highlights the eccentric community of misfits who help each other through their time of need.

Under the direction of Derek Rhein, instructor of theatre, the ASU student cast includes Zaiden Lopez, Kate Yantis, Jordan Chapman, Ryan Ezell, Brianna Kincaid, BrittNee Smith, Mitchell Martinez, Kirby Paugh, Addie Gregoire and Catalina Perry.

The student production staff and crew include Jasmine Solis, stage manager; Zjay Wright, assistant stage manager; Mia Harryman, scenic designer; Emma Cullen, lighting designer; Melissa Surber, costume designer; Natalie Madrid, assistant costume designer; August James, props designer; Gabbie Flores, scenic/props assistant; Analy Preciado, scenic charge; Castiel Casas, scenic painter; Alec Ochoa Razo, lead electrician; Luz Valadez, wardrobe supervisor; Xander Cooper, light board operator; Emily Wagner, sound board operator; and Kailey Gembler, maitre d'.

For ticket information or to purchase tickets through the ASU box office, call 325-942-2000. The box office is open 3-6 p.m. weekdays in the Carr EFA Building.