
DATE: Thursday, November 13, 1997           TAG: 9711120124

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 08   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: REVIEW 

SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: AHOSKIE                           LENGTH:   56 lines

GALLERY THEATRE'S `DEARLY DEPARTED' A COMEDY WORTHY OF JEFF FOXWORTHY

The Gallery Theatre is taking a respite from British comedies and Neil Simon.

Beginning tonight, and running through Sunday, they're entering redneck country with a comedy called ``Dearly Departed'' - the title telling a little about the tale.

``It's about the death of a redneck,'' said director, Henry Joyner, quick to add that the play is something ``a redneck will enjoy. He'll love it. All the characters have redeeming values.

``Besides,'' he said, quoting Jeff Foxworthy, ``there's a little bit of redneck in all of us.''

The one redneck you won't see is Bud Turpin. He is the deceased.

``His two sons and their family are trying to plan the funeral,'' Joyner said. ``All kinds of things go wrong.''

All kinds of characters will be on stage for ``Dearly Departed,'' a mix of Gallery newcomers and veterans, including a pair he calls, ``the dynamic duo.''

Larry Cooke Jr. and Ed Copeland, who performed together in a previous effort, ``It Runs In the Family,'' portray the sons of the deceased, sporting such Southern names as Junior and Ray-Bud.

Nova Lewis portrays the sister of the deceased, ``someone who's always throwing in her two cents worth,'' Joyner said. ``This is her first time on stage. She came down to audition and seemed to fit the part. She's in her early 60s and has done a fantastic job of memorizing lines.''

The Gallery folk decided on ``Dearly Departed'' two years ago.

At the time, it was a toss-up between that one and ``It Runs In the Family.'' The theatre wound up doing both.''

Joyner directed both, plus ``Murder At the Howard Johnson's,'' about six years ago.

He is listed as director, ``but,'' he said, ``I feel more like a coach. I enjoy getting the teamwork going, I like putting the sets and movement together. It's fascinating.''

The end result is advertised by the theatre's executive director, Lottie Lassiter, as ``very funny. It turns a simple, solemn Southern occasion into an hilarious event. It's a show with almost non-stop laughter.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

ABOUT THE PLAY

WHAT: The Gallery Theatre presents ``Dearly Departed.''

WHEN: 8 p.m. tonight-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sun.

WHERE: Gallery Theatre, Main Street, Ahoskie.

COST: Tickets are $7 in advance, $8 at the door. Children's

tickets are $6 in advance, $7 at the door. Special rates for groups

of more than 10. Tickets are available at the box office or the

Chamber of Commerce.

FOR INFORMATION: call (919) 332-2976.