This is an advertorial.
By Johnathan Baines
The Futrelle sisters are in way over their heads as they strive to save their beloved home of Fayro, Texas, in Ruston Community Theatre’s upcoming comedy play Southern Hospitality, directed by Mary Watkins and sponsored by Green Qube.
Popular playwright trio Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten (commonly referred to as Jones Hope Wooten) have written a third installation to follow their previously released plays Dearly Beloved, and Christmas Belles, produced by RCT in seasons past. This time, Fayro is dwindling into extinction and Rhonda Lynn, Honey Raye, Twink and Frankie will do anything to save it! When they hear a representative from a prominent salsa company is scouting out a place for a new factory, they quickly throw together an impromptu “Fayro Days Festival” to showcase all the town spirit! With only three days to pull off a city-wide festival with limited resources and unforeseen complications, the plan seems doomed from the start.
Jones Hope Wooten have written numerous successful plays which often explore themes of Southern culture, familial dynamics, and the importance of community. Some of their other notable plays are The Dixie Swim Club and The Red Velvet Cake Wars. Director Mary Watkins recalls seeing Christmas Belles produced by RCT in 2013, but states she doesn’t recall laughing as much as she has directing this show now. The comedy style is very similar to Young Sheldon, she states. There are also some hints of Golden Girls and Mayberry. Anyone who enjoys those shows, will enjoy Southern Hospitality. The combination of quirky, relatable characters winding up in improbable and zany situations will keep audience members entertained and wanting more!
There are four Futrelle sisters who comprise the leading roles of the play. Rhonda Lynn is the eldest, whose dating life has suddenly taken a sharp upswing, much to the chagrin of her flirtatious younger sister Honey Raye. The role is played by newcomer Patricia Maddox who is thrilled to have been given this opportunity. Said Maddox, “The experience has been so much fun and the cast instantly became my ‘family’ and friends!”
Next youngest is Honey Raye played by Kathryn Foy who describes her character as a “proud, has-been beauty queen, divorced, full of life, and way extra.”
Honey Raye takes credit for instigating the “Fayro Days” scheme and is not afraid to volunteer her sisters (and most of the town) in her shenanigans.
Twink is the next-to-youngest sister and has her eyes set on marrying the reluctant Deputy Sheriff John Curtis Buntner (played by Carrick Inabnett). Victoria Axton returns for her second show with RCT in the role of Twink. She describes Twink as having a quick temper and won’t take “no” for an answer.
The youngest and most responsible of the sisters is Frankie. She is married to Dub (Andy Halbrook) and has a married daughter, Gina Jo (Lindsay Holmes Delo), as well as two rambunctious twin boys whom she often yells at off-stage. Renee Cook plays the role and states, “Depicting a character with such a large, stable family has been a great contrast with my actual life, but my ‘theatre family’ helps create the magic!”
Frankie and Dub’s daughter Gina Jo is married to Justin Waverly (Logan Stevens), the nervous but sincere interim pastor at the Tabernacle for the Lamb. They are having some financial struggles and Justin’s moment of weakness at a casino only compounds the problem!
There is also the loveable Raynerd Chisum (Steven Vessel). He’s not the bright light on the string, but loves Fayro and charms most people with his boy-like innocence. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Dub’s Aunt Iney (Mary Elizabeth Halbrook), the meanest and most spiteful woman in the county, who shows up for an unexpected visit.
The show dates will be April 3-6, Thursday through Saturday at 7 PM, and Sunday at 2 PM, at The Dixie Center for the Arts in Ruston. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and are on sale at http://www.rctruston.com/tickets. Call the box office if you need help buying tickets: (318) 595-0872. Be prepared to laugh til your sides hurt in this deep-fried, knee-slapping, hysterical farce, Southern Hospitality!
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