Serving Barnwell County and its neighbors since 1852
Be prepared to laugh as the Verdeen family returns to the Circle Theatre stage in a new Southern-fried comedy.
“Rex’s Exes,” a sequel to last year’s comedy hit “The Red Velvet Cake War”, reunites the quirky-but-lovable Verdeen family, including cousins Gaynelle, Peaches and Jimmie Wyvette. The play follows Peaches and Jimmie Wyvette, who are dealing with their own crises, as they insist on throwing a surprise birthday party for Gaynelle, who is freaking out over turning 50 and insists on not having a party.
“The hilarity escalates when Peaches' recently declared dead husband unexpectedly returns and his romantic links to each of the cousins is revealed. And the hits just keep on coming as a Cajun bounty hunter who's tracking Peaches' husband crashes the funeral and a jilted bride holds the Verdeens hostage with a loaded paintball gun. All the while, the cousins struggle to avoid their bitter Aunt LaMerle who's hell-bent on cracking the ranks of the elite Daughters of the Nation of Texas and exacting revenge on the Verdeen girls before the dirt hits the casket,” according to a synopsis for the play.
The cast includes 13 locals, a majority of which are reprising their roles from “The Red Velvet Cake War”.
“They're so ready to bring these characters back to life. They all feel there was more to reveal and develop with these folks and are bound and determined to show audiences a new side to that's never been seen before,” said director Dennis Knapp.
While most of the cast are reprising their roles from last year, a few characters had to be recast due to scheduling conflicts. Those roles were filled by veterans of the Circle Theatre stage, including some who haven’t been onstage in a while.
“We have a very experienced cast, all Circle Theatre veterans, that are having more fun than they've ever had. The results are a hysterically funny comedy full of mayhem and surprises,” Knapp said.
Being this is a play about family, it's fitting the cast includes several pairs of real-life family members, including Greg and MaryAnn Walkup, a married couple from Williston who are reprising their roles.
Another real-life family group sharing the stage is the Harper family, including Craig and Sandy Harper and their daughter Madison, who recently moved back to Barnwell. All have been very active at Circle Theatre, though “Rex’s Exes” marks their first time on stage in many years.
“I'm returning to the stage after 11 years as Peaches, and couldn't be more excited to return with my parents. Being back in Circle Theatre has been a lot of fun, I feel really lucky to be able to return to a place that felt like home growing up. I hope audiences have a blast jumping into the Verdeen's chaos (again) for a little while,” said Madison.
Craig, who plays bounty hunter Wild Bill Boudreaux, said the “play is very well written and very funny. It is nice to get back into a Circle Theatre production. It has been a while since we have been on stage, and it’s good to see some familiar faces as well as meeting some new ones. We hope the audience will enjoy a chaotic Southern-Fried comedy!”
Sandy plays LaMerle Verdeen Minshew, who she describes as a woman on a mission who can’t be stopped. “There is only one. Thank goodness. ‘Rex's Exes’ is a great family funny look into the lives of the Verdeens and all their chaos. Be ready to laugh and enjoy,” she said.
Due to last year’s performances of “Red Velvet Cake War” selling out, the theatre will hold eight performances of “Rex’s Exes”, rather than six: Friday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday, March 1 at 3 p.m., Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 7 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 8 at 3 p.m.
“Folks need a break from the reality of life and just come and laugh. They won't be disappointed,” said Knapp of why people should see the show.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at The People-Sentinel (9089 Marlboro Ave., Barnwell) or online at https://circle-theatre-of-barnwell.square.site.
