How could anyone believe a somber setting at a funeral could be so riotously funny?

The exceptionally talented cast of Good Neighbors Theatre’s production of Dearly Departed will have you laughing out loud at the zany antics of an incurably, dysfunctional family.

The play was written by David Botrell and Jessie Jones. It is ably directed by Angela Sloan, who has both directed and appeared in previous GNT productions.

She has assembled a versatile cast of some of GNT’s favorites, as well as some who are making their debut on the GNT stage. But all are aptly suited for their roles.

Just a warning. your stomach may hurt from laughing., but one thing for sure, when word gets out how entertaining this show is, you will want to be sure you already have a ticket!

Good Neighbors Theatre is located at 8780 Highway 111 in Byrdstown, Tennessee.

Show dates are: Fridays and Saturdays on November 4, 5, 11, and 12 at 7:00 p.m. Sundays on November 6 and 13 at 2:00 p.m.

GNT will also be hosting an art exhibit of works of area artists to correspond with the fall performance of Dearly Departed. The exhibit, entitled “Autumn Beauty”, will run from Friday, November 4 through Sunday, November 13th coinciding with performances of the production.

The setting for Dearly Departed is somewhere in the “Bible Belt” south of the Mason-Dixon line. The play opens with the abrupt death of Bud Turbin, the aging patriarch of the wacky Turbin family, while his long-suffering wife Raynelle reads a revival style come-to- Jesus-or-else letter from his sister Marguerite, the guardian of the family virtues. All of this sets in motion the play’s plot as the quirky, sometime utterly nutty family members, come together to plan Bud’s funeral. As the various friends and relatives gather to pay their last respects, they begin to show their true colors. Bud was not universally loved in life so those gathered unleash a torrent of such amusingly eccentric craziness, making this possibly GNT’s funniest production yet.

Ticket prices are $12.00 plus tax/Adult and $8.00 plus tax/child between three and 12 years of age. Lap babies two and under are free. Tickets are available at the Byrdstown-Pickett County Chamber of Commerce.

All pre-reserved tickets must be paid for at the time the reservation is made. Stop by the Chamber located at 1005 Highway 111. The Chamber’s phone is 931-864-7195.

Tickets may also be purchased at the Good Neighbors Theatre ticket booth on the night of the performances. All ticket sales are final. Unused tickets are non-refundable.

To purchase by mail, please mail the following information with payment to: Good Neighbors Theatre, PO Box 493, Byrdstown, TN 38549. Name, phone, email, number of adult tickets at $13.17, number of child tickets at $8.78, and total amount enclosed.

Also indicate the performance you want to attend: November 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and/or November 13. All Reservations by mail must be received day prior to selected date. Please provide a complete list of names/dates of all ticket holders for the reservation. Tickets for mail-in reservations are held for will call at the GNT Ticket Booth on the night of the performance/s you select.

Those requiring special assistance must indicate their need at the time reservation is made. Make checks payable to GNT at P.O. Box 493, Byrdstown, TN 38549. Messages may be left at 931-864-4569.