Lots of Laughs for Dearly Departed

Join the cast of Dearly Departed at the Marco Island Charter Middle Schoolon January 23 (7:00 PM show), January 24(7:00 PM show), and January 25 (3:00 PM show) when a dysfunctional southern family comes together to plan a funeral. When the Turpin family patriarch Bud suddenly dies from a stroke, his sons Ray Bud and Junior, sister Marguerite, and widow Raynelle do their best to ensure a dignified memorial, but family squabbles quickly get in the way. Junior’s wife Suzanne accuses him of cheating on her, a resentful Ray Bud is seething over footing the entire bill for the service, a sister wants to ensure a well-versed Christian funeral, while lazy son Royce puts up with her demon slander towards him, and daughter Delightful is more interested in food than her father’s passing. Aside from the immediate family, meet extended family and friends who attend the services to pay their last respects to Bud. Loads of laughs with every scene, and who knows, you may even find some of Bud’s relatives in your own family!! 

This is Sisbarro Act Studio'stenth anniversary as an independent studio for youth, teens, and young adults. Her years as a studio owner include Men of Rushmore and Their Wives, the Civil War piece Battlefield of Brotherhood, Ken Ludwig’s Three Musketeers, Jersey Fried Tomatoes, Ghost in the Typewriter, American Abby, WROB: The Last Great Radio Show, Marriage and Malarky, and last year’s Lights, Camera, Lasso.  We have been entertaining the Marco Community with mostly original works written by the studio founder and owner, Gina Sisbarro. When Sisbarro first arrived on Marco Island, Dearly Departed was the first play she acted in with the Marco Players Theater, now the Center for the Arts.  She thought it would be fitting to mark her tenth anniversary by winding back the clock with Dearly Departed, however instead of playing Juanita, she is now directing. “When I auditioned, I had no idea that the cast just finished their run with the Naples Players, and with the exception of three parts, all the cast members were well versed in character and lines, just coming off their Naples run,” said Sisbarro. Talk about a scary introduction to local theater! “When I came to my first rehearsal, there was notone actor holding a script in their hands. I was thinking, I was a slow learner and something was wrong with me,” she said. It wasn’t until right before the show opened that she discovered why the actors were so quick on their feet. “ I almost didn’taudition again, thinking I was a terrible actor. I guess it was the director’s way of getting me on board quickly. It worked!” 

Gina’s actors may be young, but they are tried and true veterans of the theater, some starting as young as six years old at the YMCA.  

“We call it amateur theater; however, they are superstars of the theater from fifth grade through 23 years of age,” said Sisbarro.“All we ask for is an audience, that is why we don’t charge and accept donations. The actors are invited to the preform; Gina does not believe in auditions, not at such a young age. “The idea is to build self-esteem, not shoot it down,” Sisbarro said. Most of the actors have risen out of her programs; the YMCA theatrics program on Saturdays, YMCA Summer Camp, Marco Island Charter Middle School Theater Club, and brand new for this year,Afteschool Theater at the YMCA on Mondays. A lot of Sisbarro’s vets have graduated into their high school theater clubs, Naples Players, Golden Gate Theater, and taken acting in college, from theater administration and production to stunting. We have several actors who have worked in independent films, such as Joey Burns and Jessica Lang. She likes to call herself the foundation to acting, and it is exciting for her to see them progress!