If you go
› What: “Southern Fried Funeral.”› When: 7:30 p.m. today and Friday, March 2-3; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4.› Where: Ringgold Depot, 155 Depot St., Ringgold, Ga.› Admission: $10 adults, $8 seniors and students.› Phone: 706-935-3061.› Website: www.cityofringgold.com.
The Ringgold Playhouse will offer final performances of its season opener this weekend.
After ending 2016 with the classic drama "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," TRP heads into the new year with a big-hearted, family comedy, "Southern Fried Funeral."
"It's a really funny show with crazy characters and a lot of relatable themes," says Adam Cook, executive director.
The curtain opens to find Dewey Frye dead and the rest of his family trying to pick up the pieces - if they don't kill each other first.
Not only does matriarch Dorothy (Sherry Dee Allen) have to contend with sudden widowhood, but she's also faced with church committee harpy Ozella Meeks (Kitty Reel) sticking her nose in the family business, Dewey's snake-in-the-grass brother (John Hammons) making a grab for her house, and two grown daughters (Kylene Booher and Jennifer Bryant) reliving their childhood rivalry.
Rounding out the cast are Lisa Parsons, Sherri Brown, David Dunn, Timothy Shields and Ronald King. Monica Woodlief is directing the show, which illustrates how a Southern funeral can bring out the worst, best and funniest in those involved.
"The cast was always willing to incorporate my goofy suggestions and came up with plenty of their own," says Woodlief. "That's exactly the kind of formula you need for a good comedy."
For all the laughs, this comedy from J. Dietz Osborne and Nate Eppler has genuine warmth as well.
"This show has lots of heart, lots of tender moments too," says Woodlief.
Tickets are available by phone, online or in person Monday through Friday at Ringgold City Hall, 150 Tennessee St.