Review: Daddy’s Dyin’, Who’s Got the Will?

Del Shores’ Daddy’s Dyin’,Who’s Got the Will? is playing to near sellout houses at the Ooley Theatre, under the direction of Corey Morris, making his Sacramento directorial debut with EMH Productions.

This black dramedy is the story of the dysfunctional Turnover family, from Lowake, Texas, gathering after years of estrangement for a death watch on father Buford. The children are desperate to find his will, but it is missing and Buford (Lew Rooker) is so demented he is of no help.

The roost is ruled by Mama Wheelis (Deborah Shalhoub), Buford’s mother-in-law, who presides with a strong hand and doesn’t allow profanity in her house. She does not hesitate to express her opinion (“Evalita’s about as pure as mud.”)

Sara Lee (Adriana Marmo) stayed home to care for her father, while sister Marlene (Elise Hodge) is a born-again preacher’s wife who lives nearby and helps, when she can.

Evalita (Bethany Hidden) has metallic-red hair and is in serious danger of having a wardrobe malfunction. She hopes to use her inheritance to pay costs to produce her first record and marry husband No. 6.

Orville (Rob McCrea) is a redneck domestic abuser whose wife Lurlene (Elizabeth Anne Springett) is obsessed with her recent weight loss.

Rounding out the cast is Evalita’s boy toy Harmony (Mitchell Thompson), who is growing tired of Evalita’s self-centeredness and finds a friend in Lurlene.

There are a lot of laughs and some surprisingly tender moments in this show. A good time was had by all, except possibly the dying patriarch.