The Matthews presents hilarious community theater comedy “Dearly Beloved”

January 28, 2020

An over-the-top wedding, three feuding sisters and a church full of small town eccentrics. What could possibly go wrong?  This February, the Matthews Opera House presents the fast-paced, laugh-a-minute comedy “Dearly Beloved” by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, Jamie Wooten.

Purchase tickets to “Dearly Beloved” HERE

Directed by Max G. Merchen, this hysterical comedy will run two weekends, Feb. 7-9 and 14-16. The Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday shows starts at 2 p.m. Tickets prices are $15 for adults, $10 for subscribers, and $5 for youth (18 and under) and BHSU students. Tickets are available at The Matthews’ art gallery during business hours, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by phone at 605-642-7973. Buy tickets online at www.matthewsopera.com

This is not the first play written by the trio of Jones, Hope and Wooten to be performed at the Matthews. “In 2012 we came across a script for The Red Velvet Cake War. It was hilarious and we decided to give it a shot. Only then did we discover it was part of a trilogy,” explained Merchen. “The other two stories were equally delightful. We were fortunate enough to reprise the core cast of characters for all three shows.” 

“Dearly Beloved” focuses on the Futrelle sisters of Fayro, Texas – Frankie, Twink and their estranged sister, Honey Raye. When they are thrown together to pull off a family wedding, it does not go well. Frankie’s oldest twin daughter is marrying the son of the queen of what passes for high society in Fayro and Frankie is desperate to make this antebellum-themed wedding an elegant affair. It soon becomes obvious that Fate has other plans. Mix together a tacky potluck, a cantankerous wedding planner, and a runaway bride and groom, hilarity soon ensues! 

“The cast for “Dearly Beloved” is a delightful ensemble!  Of the twelve actors, four were in all three of the Jones, Hope, Wooten shows, four have been involved in other Matthews’ productions, and four are new faces who bring with them energy, excitement, and experience,” Merchen added. “‘Dearly Beloved’ is the perfect cure for the winter blues. If laughter is the best medicine, this show will fix you right up in no time!”

The next event for The Matthews is the community theater musical “Bright Star” with music, book and lyrics written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. This production is a partnership between the Matthews Opera House and the BHSU Music Department. Performances are Feb. 21 – 22 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 23. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for youth and BHSU students and can be purchased in the gallery, at 605.642.7973 or online at matthewsopera.com.

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