Pontiac IV Theatre’s ‘Dearly Departed’ is Alive with Personality!
How does that saying go? No one can piss you off or love you as much as your family. As much as family members can bring us mental peace, they can also stress us out. One moment you could be sharing a laugh with a sibling, and then with a flip of a switch you want to wring their necks. Nobody understands that more than the Turpin family, as they gather to say goodbye to their patriarch in Dearly Departed, the latest production to arrive at Pontiac IV Theatre in Pontiac, Michigan.
This comedy from David Bottrell and Jessie Jones looks at the darker side of family, as the Turpins navigate complex relationships during an even more challenging time. As personalities of every type converge on the family estate, relationships are tested as audiences discover how far bonds can bend without being broken. Director Emily Mick brings a clear vision to Dearly Departed, as this production highlights the positives and negatives of both grief and family. Will the Turpins survive this funeral? Certain they’ll die trying, as they settle into a new normal. Care to know more about what you can expect from Dearly Departed? Pull up a seat and bow your head, as we deep dive into this hilarious show.
[Warning: Spoilers from Pontiac IV Theatre’s production of Dearly Departed are below!]
A death in the family has never been so funny as it has in Dearly Departed
The show opens with the final moments of Bud’s life, as his wife, Raynelle (Anne Slee), reads him a letter from his sister. As she folds up the paper and puts it back in the envelope, Bud falls from his chair and is dead within moments—the first scene that had the audience roaring with laughter.
With a quick scene change, Pontiac IV Theatre’s Dearly Departed is off to the races, introducing a slew of characters and examining the relationships that exist amongst them. Bud’s two sons, Junior (Sean Harbert) and RayBud (Tim Wheeling), are polar opposites of each other and are vying for the open role of patriarch. Junior is a royal fuck-up, having invested money into a business that hasn’t taken off and even cheating on his wife, Suzanne (Karly Hillert), who doesn’t take the news well and makes sure everyone knows.
RayBud, on the other hand, is the more reliable of the two. He’s sturdy, functional, a grown-up in every sense of the world. He and his wife have a strong marriage; however, they are struggling to have a family of their own. Each brother is stressed for different reasons, fueled by having to see each other for the first time in a long time.
As the extended family makes their way to Turpin’s home, personalities clash in incredibly hilarious antics. Can this family get through the funeral without tearing each other apart? You’ll have to see Dearly Departed to find out!
This Pontiac IV Theatre production emphasizes the characters
What Dearly Departed does so well is that it truly allows space for the actors to bring these characters to life. There is no need for fancy sets or elaborate stunts to tell this story, as the Turpins are just a normal family navigating a difficult transition. They represent all of us and our families during a period of tremendous loss, which typically brings out the worst in us.
Because of this, this cast really shines, as they embody these characters and the universal issues everyone experiences at one point in life. With that focus in mind, Sean Harbert and Tim Wheeling do much of the heavy work. While this is an ensemble piece, Dearly Departed is truly about RayBud and Junior’s relationship with each other and how they relate to the rest of their family.
While they may not be in every scene, they are felt in every aspect of this show. They are the heartbeat that drives the narrative forward, as both are trying their best to find themselves and connect as a family. Harbert shines as the pain-in-the-ass Junior, shifting from comedy to heart with expertise. Harbert stood out in Dearly Departed, as he deeply understood his role, giving audiences much to appreciate.
Wheeling’s performance was equally as strong, although for different reasons. RayBud had some comedic moments; however, he provided strength to Dearly Departed, grounding the show. Watching as he assumes the role of patriarch in the aftermath of losing his father is a powerful story, and Wheeling does justice to it. His delivery is soft at times, filled with compassion even when he’s stressed, and can quickly switch when Junior pushes his buttons. There’s talent in the ability to switch quickly from one to the other, which Wheeling does with ease.
However, who knew that the character that would steal the show for me would be one that has almost no lines, but somehow Achilles Slee does so with their role of Delightful. Always present but rarely heard from, Delightful conveys so many emotions through only facial features, which has to be such a challenge as an actor. Slee excels at making Delightful an absolute Delight, making me and the rest of the audience giggle profusely.
Pontiac IV Theatre continues to provide excellent theatre experiences
While I’ve highlighted some names above, Dearly Departed excels because everyone in the cast is strong. Delivering wonderful performances full of heart and hilarity, this incredible cast understands the complexities of these characters and the depth of the story told within. Under the direction of Mick, Pontiac IV Theatre brought another excellent show to its stage, showcasing the commitment and work they bring to the community theatre scene.
You can find out more about Pontiac IV Theatre on their website! Have you seen a production of Dearly Departed before? Let us know on social media @boxseatbabes!
Exclusive Interview: Emily Mick and Sean Harbert of Pontiac IV Theatre’s Dearly Departed
