“Dearly Departed” March 19, 2010

“DEARLY DEPARTED” RISES AGAIN AT THE AURORA FOX

One of the most popular comedies of the ‘90s, “Dearly Departed”, is coming back to Denver – this time with music.

The show is slated to open March 19 in the Studio space in the Aurora Fox Theatre, 9900 E. Colfax, Aurora, 80010 and will run Thursdays through Sundays for five weeks.

Produced and directed by long-time Avenue Theatre owner John Ashton, the show features cast members who performed in the Avenue’s two productions – in 1992-’93 and 1999-2000. Altogether, the two productions ran almost three years at the Avenue’s former location at East 17th Avenue and Vine Street.

“Dearly Departed,” one of the most frequently produced shows by theatre companies across the country, is a fast-paced comedy about an extended family in the Bible Belt who come together for better and worse after the death of the family patriarch.

“Audiences love the show, and we have so much fun doing it, we just couldn’t help ourselves,” Ashton said. “We had to do it one more time.”

Among the cast members returning are Amie MacKenzie, Pam Clifton, Bill Berry, Tupper Cullum, Judy Phelan-Hill, Michael Katt, Steve Sealy, Eric Weber and Pam Vanderpool. Two of them – Berry and Katt – will be coming in from southern Illinois and Seattle, Washington, respectively, just to join their colleagues in this reunion production.

The script includes two songs, and Ashton said he was adding one or two more. “We’ve got incredible musical talent in the cast,” he said, “so we’re going to take advantage of it, and play some down-home bluegrass and country.” Plans also call for the cast to sing before and after the show.

“All that, plus cash bar. You can’t beat it,” Ashton said.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays, beginning March 19 and continuing through April 17. Tickets are $24, with discounts available for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. For more information or to make a reservation, call the Aurora Fox Box Office at 303-739-1970, or online at foxbox@auroragov.org.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

John Ashton acts on stage and in TV commercials in the West, and is a reservist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Bill Berry lives on his family farm in southern Illinois, where he is active in local theatre.

Pamela Clifton continues to act and direct around town and is Children Theatre Coordinator at Littleton Town Hall Arts Center.

Tupper Cullum continues to act in film, video and on stages around town, plays guitar and sings in coffee houses, etc., and cares for wounded birds in his home.

Michael Katt acts on stage and in film in Seattle, where he also works as a nightclub bouncer.

Judy Phelan-Hill acts on stages around town, and recently won a Denver Post Ovation Award for her performance in the Vintage Theater production of "Kimberly Akimbo".

Steve Sealy writes songs and performs with his band The Ever Hopefuls, and is head of the production company Denver Film and Digital.

Eric Weber is one of Denver's most sought-after commercial photographers.

Pam Vanderpool is a trial attorney with a Denver law firm.



Quotes from reviews of the earlier Avenue Theater production, with nearly all the same cast appearing in this show:

“Hilarious…The laughs just keep coming.” -- Denver Post

“Give yourself a treat with a night at Dearly Departed.” -- Rocky Mountain News

“Plenty of hilarity, especially since the actors are perfectly adept at taking advantage of every comic possibility.” – Westword

“Hilariously funny … The characters are so well established that you may be convinced you’re run across one or two of them in your past.” – Denver Business Journal

Ashton Entertainment presents “Dearly Departed” - A fast-paced comedy about an extended family in the Bible Belt who come together for better and worse after the death of the family patriarch. Mar. 19 - Apr. 17 - Thurs, Fri, Sat @ 7:30 p.m.; Sundays @ 2 p.m. Tickets are $24 (students, seniors, groups of 10 or more discounts available.) Aurora Fox Theatre, 9900 E. Colfax, Aurora 80010 - 303-739-1970, or foxbox@auroragov.org. Aurorafox.org