“Lying in State” at the JCCT

By Nicki Mayo
Content Coordinator / TriCities.com
Published: May 27, 2008

The zany political comedy Lying in State opens next at Johnson City Community Theatre.  Performance dates are June 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 15, at 2 p.m.  Written by David Hyer, the show is sponsored by Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Time & Pay, Lew and Lynda Wexler, and the News & Neighbor and is being presented as part of the 2008 Blue Plum Festival in Johnson City.

Ed, a State Senator, is dead, and his family and friends are gathering for his funeral.  But instead of paying their final respects, the not-so-grieving-guests are more concerned about other matters; namely, finding someone to fill his vacant seat.

Will it be his ex-wife Edna, who stopped stuttering and lost 100 pounds after leaving her husband, or his wealthy brother Harry, who is worried people will borrow his new book from the library rather than buying it?  Perhaps it will be his girlfriend Buttons, a den mother and semi-exotic dancer who said Ed’s dying wish was for her to have his senate seat, or even Margo, from Parlor C, a “nothing housewife” who can’t remember which colored pill she should take next?  Or is it possible for a dead man to run for re-election?

Meanwhile, his political associates devise a way for Ed (who is dead) to attend a campaign fundraiser in his honor, while the Governor decides to send Ed’s casket to the Capitol and have him lie in state.  Can a dead man be in three places at once?  And what’s up with the three mysterious purple squirrels?

It’s an evening of non-stop laughter in this show that puts the fun in funerals.  Lying in State stars Steve Bashor, John Beard, Kevin Burke, Rachel Gloess, Joy Nagy, Debbie Shoun, and Daniel Wallen and is being produced through special arrangement with Earl Graham Agency in New York.  Joe Smith is directing Lying in State, with Chris Murray as stage manager, Colleen Dunne and Ammi Gouge as assistant stage managers, Bradley Gardner as set designer, and April Gardner as lighting designer.

Tickets are $10 for students and seniors (55 and up) and $12 for adults.  For reservations, visit http://www.jcct.us or call (423) 926-2542.