When director Craig Greusel is requested why Coastal Breeze News readers ought to come see his play, Southern Fried Funeral, he gives a compelling motive. “Well,” Greusel stated, “funerals have the word fun in them. So you have to have fun at a funeral.”
The play runs Thursday, March 5, Friday, March 6, and concludes with a Sunday matinee on March 8 at the Marco Lutheran Church. Fans of community theatre will recognize many of the actors and actresses.
“This is a very enjoyable play,” Greusel stated, “with a bunch of our local talent.”
Judy Daye, Jean Rowles, Cindy Sepich, Ryan Sullivan, Glenn Davis, Mike Pigeon, Carolynn Davis, Carmen Brookshaw, Ty Szumigala, and Judy Thompson are cast members. Greusel will lead The Hollar Creek Gospel Band, playing some tasty bluegrass licks on his banjo.
The play is the story of Dewey Frye and his family and how funerals bring out the worst, the best, and the funniest in people.
“It’s actually the story of the prodigal son coming again and saving the day,” Greusel stated. “Let’s see what happens down at the Frye house.”
It seems only fitting that a prodigal son story would include a pastor. Sure enough, Marco Lutheran’s pastor, Jim Thelen, will be showing off his acting chops.
“We have all kinds of people that have some experience working here with Island Theater Company and the Arts Center Theatre,” Greusel said. “And we now have some new ones, together with the pastor.”
Greusel, who is the church’s director of music, said the church’s theatre efforts are only occasional.
“We do it each three or 4 years,” he stated. “We call it the community theater project. It’s basically through the Lutheran Church. We sponsor it.”
Church people Martha Ann (Carolynn Davis), Benny Charles (Ty Szumigala), Fairy June (Carmen Brookshaw), and Ozella Meeks (Judy Thompson). Dewey Jr (Ryan Sullivan) is within the background.