Tim Pepper portrays Dewey Davenport with his puppet Obediah along with Susan Squires, who plays Peaches Verdeen Belrose.
Marilyn Boettger | Carson Valley Community Theatre
The quirky Texas Verdeen cousins are at it again at the CVIC Hall March 17 in the “Last Round-up of the Guacamole Queens.”
“The Verdeen cousins are a riot,” said Susan Squires, who plays Peaches. Squires returned to play Peaches after portraying her in “The Red Velvet Cake Wars.”
Produced by the Carson Valley Community Theatre, the play is the final southern-fried comedy of the Jones Hope Wooten trilogy.
Playwrights Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, collectively known as Jones Hope Wooten, write comedies with strong female characters, like the Verdeens.
Starting off the trilogy is “Red Velvet Cake Wars” where cousins Gaynelle, Peaches and Jimmie Wyvette throw a family re-union. Things spin out of control after a neighbor’s pet devours everything edible, a one-eyed sailor declares his love and high stakes are on the best red velvet cake ever baked.
Then in “Rex’s Exes,” Gaynelle refuses to accept she is turning the Big 5-0, Peaches tries to throw her a surprise party while stuck in romantic dry gulch, Jimmie Wyvette struggles with her new bridal boutique with revenge and a funeral escalat-ing and complicating everything.
In the “Last Round-Up of the Guacamole Queens” the cousins race against the clock to produce the “ultimate high school reunion” before the old building is demolished. But like anything the Verdeens attempt, it doesn’t come without bushels of obstacles.
“It’s just a wacky comedy,” said Dick Van Buskirk who is playing Aubrey Verdeen. “There are some references to things that occurred in the other productions, but it’s clear enough for anyone to follow.”
This time, there’s romance and old flames, a fight with a televangelist, party planning to impress the governor’s aid, Uncle Aubrey’s exploits and Aunt LaMerle’s decides to run for mayor.
“This production — at its base — is about family and the importance of caring for one another,” said Diana Jones. “It shows all the wacky ways that family members show their love and craziness for each other and how they can overcome many ob-stacles just by caring and working together.”
Jones portrays Gaynelle Verdeen for the third time in the trilogy.
“This is a silly comedy that is perfect if you want a light, entertaining night,” said Rachelle Resnick, who plays Della Crowder.
“The Last Round-Up of the Guacamole Queens” will be performed two weekends at the CVIC Hall in Minden, beginning 7:30 p.m. March 17, 18, 24, and 25 with matinees shows 2 p.m. March 18, 19, 25 and 26. Cost is $15 seniors and students, $18 general admission, $20 at the door. Group rates and premium seats available. For more information visit carsonvalley-communitytheatre.org or call the box office at 775-782-6622. The box office is located 1572 Highway 395, Minden.
