College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University

Black comedy "Dearly Departed" presented by ISU Theatre
The cultural traditions and mores of rural life in the American South, including mobile homes and mullets, are explored in the next production of Iowa State University Theatre.

The black comedy "Dearly Departed" will be presented over four days in the Fisher Theater on the Iowa State campus. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 and Dec. 3, with 2 p.m. matinees scheduled for Nov. 14 and Dec. 5.

"'Dearly Departed' is an extremely funny, if somewhat satirical look at a very dysfunctional family in the South," said Robin Stone, an ISU Theatre faculty member and the play’s director. "Since I'm from that part of the country the script amuses me a great deal."

The plot revolves around the death of the patriarch of a poor Southern family. The struggle to get him buried involves the whole family including the not-so-grieving widow who wants to put “Mean and Surly” on the tombstone.

Amidst the chaos, the Turpin family turns to their friends and neighbors for help through the funeral.

"It's a humorous look at the complex nature of family relationships," Stone said. "While the play is set in contemporary times, many of the characters' mindsets are still in the '50s and some in the '80s."

Cast members include Melanie Snow, Derek Paper, Rachel Rhoades, Kenneth Oishi, Rachael Miller, Philip Henry, Kristin Harle, William Mort, Ashley Lorenz, and Amanda Mullen.

Tickets are $13 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for students and children. All ISU Theatre tickets are available at the Iowa State Center Ticket office at 515-294-3347.