Margaret Baker
Contributing Writer
The Pocahontas County Drama Workshop is back in action, currently rehearsing for the September 12 and 13 product- ions of Ned Dougherty’s play Deera’s Country Funeral. The play revolves around the character of Ray Sally, a farmer who is preparing to hold a funeral for his beloved and bedraggled tractor, Deera. The old machine is adored by the town, having helped save many lives during a historic flood. But Deera is old and worn out and Ray can no longer find parts for her. It’s time for her to meet her maker. Or is it Ray Sally himself who is on the short road to the great beyond?
Questions of destiny, community and the measure of a life well-lived are themes in this poignant and humorous story which was recently presented during the prestigious Appalachian Plays and Playwright’s Festival sponsored by Barter Theater of Abingdon, Virginia.
Craig Goheen will take on the role of Ray Sally while Jeff Marcum will portray John, the undertaker charged with conducting the unique burial. Rachel Comacho will play John’s wife Mary, hairdresser, gossip and link to the spirit world. Jack Herold will portray their son, Cole, a teenager who lives in fear of spending all his life in Gauley County though the place permeates his young bones. Maggie Abbott will play Carolina, a traveling storyteller recruited to give Deera’s eulogy but who has her own tragedy to overcome. And Vivian Helmick portrays Corva, the Guardian Angel of Gauley County who fears a heavenly demotion if she doesn’t handle the Deera situation just right.
Ned Daugherty is an award-winning teacher and playwright currently living in Green Bank. Writer/director/actor Eric Fritzius will direct the production.
Performances of Deera’s Country Funeral will be at the Opera House in Marlinton at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, September 12-13, at 7:30 p.m.
