Don’t miss ‘The Funeral’ Saturday night at the Rice Theatre

CROWLEY - Those looking for some good entertainment in Crowley this Saturday night need look no further than the historic Rice Theatre, where the original play “The Funeral” will be performed.
The play is a one-act dramatic comedy that sees the late Brother Dave Berkman as the narrator of the events surrounding his own funeral, with a hilarious cast of characters, from messy ushers to stuttering deacons.
The play was written by Jessica Dugar and is being produced and directed by her. She laughs as she describes it as being a lesson in “what not to do at a funeral.”
Dugar, who has lived in Crowley for the past 20 years, is the wife of the late Pastor A.D. Dugar, who died in November of 2012.
According to Jessica Dugar, her husband was a playwright and actor who was very involved with Cité des Arts in Lafayette, resulting in her being very involved as well.
Although she has prior experience writing plays with her husband, this is the first one she has written on her own. She wrote “The Funeral” after her husband’s death, and she found the act of doing so to be very therapeutic.
Saturday night’s showing will be the sixth performance of the play. It opened at Cité des Arts and has been on tour in the area since. It has received rave reviews, and Dugar wanted to bring it to Crowley to give back to her community.
“I love my city and I wanted to bring something funny to it, especially in these times.”
It should be noted that the show has caught the attention of Monty Ross, a nationally recognized filmmaker who co-founded 40 Acres and a Mule with Spike Lee and produced such films as “Malcom X” and “Do the Right Thing.”
On Tuesday morning, he posted a photo of the Rice Theatre marquee on Instagram along with a message that read, “In the mood for a summer comedy with a message and purpose? Check out The Funeral by Jessica Duga[r]. Crowley, LA. Check your local listing!!!!”
“The Funeral,” which has a cast of 14, is approximately an hour and a half in length and is a show that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
The production will begin at 6 p.m., and tickets are available at the door. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12.
The historic Rice Theatre is located at 323 N. Parkerson Ave.