BTCPA presents April comedy
The Bay Tree Council for the Performing Arts in Red Bay is getting ready to raise the curtain on its third production of the season, “Farce of Nature.” This show will be staged April 21-23 at 7 p.m. and April 24 at 2 p.m. in Red Bay’s Weatherford Centre.
Written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten and directed by Scotty Kennedy, this show is an experience Kennedy describes as a “Southern-fried farce with nonstop hilarity,” explaining it highlights one day in the life of the Wilburn family of Mayhew, Ark.
“If you’re looking for lots of laughter, you’ll find it in this play,” Kennedy said. “We have a terrific cast, and they have been working extremely hard learning lines, blocking and using props.”
He added the group has performed several plays by the same writers, and all have been hits.
“People from the South and the North meet in Arkansas at a fishing lodge, and you can just imagine what will happen when these two cultures combine,” said Kennedy. “By the delightfully chaotic climax of this one outrageous day, love blossoms, truths are revealed, and the lives of all change in incredible and surprising ways.”
The cast includes Anna Carol Porter, Brente Jeffreys, Avery Klose, Emily Edmonson, Torrey Lewey, Dominic Rogers, Jeanmarie Moore, Theron Struzik and Zephra Rogers, who also serves as stage manager.
For Anna Carol Porter, who’s portraying Wanelle Wilburn, it’s a fun opportunity to play a completely different character than she has before. “My character’s kind of a spitfire, and I’m having a lot of fun getting to play somebody totally different,” Porter said.
Porter said with all the stresses everyone experiences, the play represents a wonderful opportunity to kick back and forget about all that and catch some laughs along the way.
“This is a really funny play, and we’re constantly cracking each other up. The costumes are very funny, too.”
Brente Jeffreys is playing Porter’s character’s husband, D. Gene Wilburn, the owner and proprietor of the Reel ‘Em Inn. The inn used to be one of the finest but now boasts just one guest – an extremely jittery Carmine DeLuca from Chicago, who is part of the Witness Protection Program.
Jeffreys said the play represents an excellent opportunity for members of the community to come together and share some laughs.
“We always have a lot of fun with our plays. Rehearsing and getting to know everyone, we become like family,” Jeffreys said. “This is a very funny play, and it’s wonderful to be a part of it. We can’t wait to share the play with the community.”
Dominic Rogers, who is playing the couple’s son, Ty Wilburn, said what he’s most looking forward to is making the crowds happy they came.
“I can’t wait to hear the laughter and see the smiles. I think audiences will really resonate with the liveliness and excitement of this story,” Rogers said. “We’ve all had so much fun working on this production, and I look forward to seeing the culmination of our efforts.”
Tickets are on sale now at the Weatherford Center in Red Bay. Tickets may be purchased between 2-4 p.m. on weekdays or by calling 256-356-9829. If there is no answer, leave a message.
For this production, a dinner is available April 24; those tickets must be reserved in advance. Dinner is also available for groups who wish to attend April 21. Contact Beth Hammock at 256-668-0045 for more information.
