Essential Theatrical Associates (ETA) is inviting the community to sit back and laugh at their sitcom-like production: “Dearly Departed: A Drop Dead Comedy.”
“I think this is a good moment to let go and release yourself from reality and have some fun, with fun people,”director Bryan Mitchell said in an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat. “It’s a good opportunity to just leave everything at the door.”
The organization of both Florida A&M University alum and current students has been operating since 2016, with a goal to give life to the Black experience and create open-minded spaces for creatives to grow and hone their talents.
A couple of years ago, the organization got into a partnership with the historic Monticello Opera House in Jefferson County to put on their shows.
Audiences will have five opportunities to catch the play between July 17 and July 20. Ticket prices start at $25 for adults.
It follows the “beleaguered” Turpin family who “prove that living and dying in the South are seldom tidy and always hilarious. Despite their earnest efforts to pull themselves together for their father’s funeral, the Turpins’ other problems keep overshadowing the solemn occasion.”
The website continues that “amidst the chaos, the Turpins turn for comfort to their friends and neighbors, an eccentric community of misfits who just manage to pull together and help each other through their hours of need, and finally, the funeral.”
Since June, the cast has worked three to four days a week putting together this show. While it has been a little more challenging coordinating in the summertime, the team is excited to share it with others.
“It’s a hilarious show. We figured this would be a crowd pleaser,” Mitchell said, comparing its setup to American sitcoms “Family Matters” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” “I like the show because it transcends race or culture. You know these characters. These characters are in your family. These characters are in your neighborhood.”
Dee Selmore, a co-founder who took the role of production manager for the upcoming play, reiterated that, like many of their other works, this is meant to shines a light on real situations.
“We just want want people to have a good time, to see the light that is within a person’s transition,” Selmore said.
If you go
For more information, visit monticellooperahouse.org/items/dearly-departed.
This article includes previously reported information. Kyla A. Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ksanford@tallahassee.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Essential Theatrical Associates brings ‘drop dead comedy’ to Monticello Opera House
Reporting by Kyla A Sanford, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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