The Esquire Players preform ‘Dearly Departed’ with just 24 hours of preparation

Published 3:00 pm Saturday, July 26, 2025

In what can only be described as a bold and sleep-deprived challenge of raw artistic skill, the Esquire Players pulled off a full-throttle theatrical production in just 24 hours. From casting and costuming to memorizing lines and mounting the set, the local group prepared and performed their version of Dearly Departed in a single whirlwind day, all inside the historic Esquire Theater in Downtown Carthage.

Dubbed the “24-Hour Show,” this experiment in live theater drew both laughs and emotion as the community packed into the Esquire on Saturday, July 19. Audience members were treated to a hilarious and heartfelt performance from The Players.

The show featured the adult cast of the Esquire Players, and several performers delivered standout moments—earning genuine laughter, applause, and even a few sniffles.

The clock started ticking at 6 p.m. Friday night, when the cast learned what show they’d be performing: Dearly Departed, a Southern comedy about a family going through the loss of a loved one. With zero prior knowledge of their roles, the cast jumped straight into a read-through, blocking scenes before midnight.

Actors returned at 6 a.m. Saturday for an all-day push: rehearsing lines, tweaking transitions, and more before the curtain went up at 7 p.m. “It was a hectic ride,” said director Sarah Funderburk. “This show has characters that not only the actors knew, but the audience can relate to. We had fun making it our own.”

Dearly Departed was chosen for its relatability, comedic flair, and relatability. The team specifically looked for a show that could succeed under time pressure, allowed room for improvisation, and didn’t require difficult accents or complex staging.

Assistant Director Stefanie Delgado helped guide the chaos, turning confusion into chances for improv and creativity. Some of the lead actors involved were Penny Wright, Zach Davis, Britney Davis, Tony DeJohn, Jessica DeJohn, Abigail Stockman, and several others.

The 24-hour production follows the growing wealth of theatrical challenges and projects at the Esquire. A previous 8-hour show featuring the kids of the Esquire Players was preformed earlier this month.

Community support helped keep the production grounded, with donations from Jimerson-Lipsey and Hawthorne Funeral Homes, as well as the Carthage Flower Shop.

In the end, the show wasn’t just a sprint through set changes and scene work—it was a celebration of what can happen when community, creativity, and just the right amount of chaos collide.