When Ritz Community Theatre board of directors president Bettsye Robertson asked Craig Row to direct a play, the 1994 Snyder High School graduate wondered if he still had it in him to do the work.
Row agreed because he has always loved theatre. In high school, he studied drama under the late Jerry Worsham and later at the University of Texas. He was also involved in Austin’s community theatre before moving back to Snyder two years ago.
After reading several plays, Row selected the comedy, Dearly Departed by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones. Row said it was a blend of Our Town and Mama’s Family.
“I wanted something that would play well in the community and that had not been been performed before at the Ritz either,” he said. “I don’t think it has.”
To get back into the “groove,” Row said he read the script several times.
“This play is the most fun anyone can have at a funeral,” he said.
In Dearly Departed — set in the Baptist backwoods of the Bible Belt — the Turpin family attempts to bury one of its own, but things go awry. Amidst the chaos, the family seeks comfort from their friends and neighbors, all eccentric misfits, Row said.
“I was nervous before the auditions,” Row said. “I asked myself if we can do this well.”
Tryouts were successful. The cast includes Emily Beaver, Glenn Burns, Stacey Haley, Annie Robertson, Brady Ledbetter, Nancy Harris, Brian Brunson, Karri Brunson, Kyle Rosson, Cassie Cochran and Tandy Webb.
Table readings began before the Christmas holidays and rehearsals started last month.
Dearly Departed will be staged at 7 p.m. Feb. 16, 18 and 20 and 2 p.m. Feb. 21. Tickets are $10 each and may be reserved by calling 573-5061.
“Being a student of Worsham was an amazing time in my life. That was the best part of high school for me,” Row said. “Worsham was a life-changing teacher. He opened up the world to his students. Worsham taught us that theatre should be a place of magic for every show.”
While in theatre, Row was a member of the one-act play that advanced to state three times. McBeth won the state title in 1993 and Row won state awards in 1992.
“I loved visiting the state capitol in May,” Row said, referring to the site of the state event.
Since moving back to Snyder, Row said his son, Ian, has enrolled in high school drama.
“Ian has blossomed in the two years he has taken theatre classes,” Row said.
His daughter, Zoe, is a sixth grade student and a member of the Snyder Junior High School choir.
Row’s ties to the Ritz Community Theatre began before he agreed to direct a play and its conversion into a playhouse. The first community plays were staged at the former North Elementary School auditorium.
The Row family also has a history with the theatre. Row’s 89-year-old grandfather worked as the Ritz projectionist from 1949-50. Row said the Ritz Theatre means a lot to him.
“The Ritz has just as much to brag about as larger community theatres,” he said. “It’s character and charm are evident from the second you walk inside,” he said.
Row followed in the footsteps of his cousin, Brad Vincent, who directed the high school drama department after Worsham’s death in 2000.
“Brad’s mother always took me to the high school plays my cousin was in,” Row said. “I was always enthralled.”
Row began taking theatre classes at Snyder Junior High School when Ellie Dryden was the director.
“The one-act play contests were the most fun,” he said.
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