Cakes, cookies, casseroles and a turkey are the centerpiece to the comedy “Dearly Beloved.”
However, the feast is only one part of the southern flavored dish being served up for TCT’s season opener.
As with most things done in Texas, everything is bigger and louder.
The set is covered with brightly colored circles and the personalities are ramped up from an easy five to an over-the-top 10.
The action revolves around the Futrelle sisters, Frankie (Sharon Brown), Twink (Andi Billeck) and Honey Rae (Jill B. Main) from the small town of Fayro.
The sisters, once an almost famous gospel singing group called the Sermonettes, bicker their way through the last minute preparations of a “Gone with the Wind” themed wedding for Frankie’s daughter, Tina Jo (Tiffany Jarosek).
During one of the production’s rehearsals, all the aforementioned ladies were discussing what will probably be the “biggest” part of the show.
“We’re all going to have big hair,” one voice said over the chatter. “Reba McEntire hair!”
But the girls don’t get to have all the fun in this show. The boys bring an unmistakable southern flair to the stage.
There is Frankie’s neglected husband Dub Dubberly (Andy Connel) who is put in charge of grilling a whole pig for their daughter’s wedding just outside the church.
Next is Wiley Hicks (Gary Bradford), the long-time boyfriend of Twink, who due to a few mystical reasons and $20 cannot and will not miss the wedding. No matter how much cold medicine he takes or pet squirrels he comes across.
John Curtis (Joe Seale) is the highway patrolman whose fascination with his gun might cause a few to step back.
Before the rehearsal, Seale stood in the middle of the stage and practiced a quick draw. John Wayne would’ve been proud as the actor pulled the pistol out of its holster and aimed all around the theater. Then as it quickly twirled around his finger he easily slid it back in its home.
With this motley crew assembled on the day of the nuptials, Frankie’s hope for a classy wedding begins to dim. She discovers that Twink’s alternative solution to an expensive catered wedding is the potluck supper and grilled pig sponsored by Clovis Sandford’s House of Meat.
Frankie’s composure is further threatened when her prodigal sister, Honey Rae arrives at the church in a flashy, skintight dress.
The fun doesn’t stop there and flashy or not it is Honey Rae’s description of herself that best describes the adventure that is “Dearly Beloved.”
“Hot, gorgeous and unpredictable,” Rae says with a flip of her hair.
Additional cast members include Jimmie Vernon, Tiffany Jarosek, Lori Honeycutt.
The production staff includes Tim Campbell, Ed Boyle, Jim Hunter, Leon Perkins, Carol Giesbers, Steve Smith, Debbie Smith and Jesse Wyman.
Auditions
Auditions for “Marvin’s Room” will be at 7 p.m. on Oct. 5 and 6. Roles are available for adult male and female actors ages 20 and up. Two roles for boys ages 8-18 are also available.
Actors should come prepared to read from the script. Scripts may be checked out from the box office a $10 refundable (cash only) deposit.
Scripts must be returned within 10 calendar days after the last day of auditions. Actors should also call to make sure there are scripts available.
--rrenfrow@temple-telegram.com
