Opal Kronkie, a middle-aged recluse, lives in the tumbledown mansion at the edge of the municipal dump. The general disarray of her establishment is aggravated by the fact that Opal collects things - anything that can be toted home in her little red wagon. Opal is also an optimist, for no matter how mean her lot - or her "friends" - Opal responds with unfailing kindness and an abiding faith in the goodness of human nature. Into her rather strange world comes Gloria, Bradford and Solomon, three purveyors of bogus perfume on the lam from the authorities. Opal's ménage is the perfect hideout and Opal, herself, might be the remedy for their shattered finances. They decide that what she needs is plenty of insurance, a rapid demise, and three beneficiaries named Gloria, Bradford, and Solomon. Attempted murder wouldn't seem to be funny, but in Mr. Patrick's magic hands it is uproarious. The unsavory trio concoct an elaborate scheme to drop the ceiling on Opal's unsuspecting head - but she is in the cellar at the time; they try to drug her and set her house on fire - but Opal's state trooper friend arrives at the wrong (or right) moment; a plan for a "hit and run" accident backfires. Through it all, Opal radiates kindness, affection, and, strangely enough, gratitude But the real clincher comes at the end. It seems there was plenty of money around all the time; bags, barrels, and moose heads full of it, in fact, and any friend of Opal's is welcome to as much as he wants. All they had to do was ask.
The Cast
Teresa Yarwood
(Opal Kronkie)
Teresa Yarwood taught for twenty-five years with the Memphis City Schools and now teaches fifth Grade for Presbyterian Day School. She is the wife of Charlie Yarwood and mother to one daughter, Kel. Her theatre experience began in St. Louis, MO where she played "The Wicked Witch" in The Wizzard of Oz. Returning to the Mid-South in the 1970's , she's been seen in several productions, including A Murder is Announced, Camelot, Hound of the Baskervilles, the Man Who Came to Dinner, Steel Magnolias, and recently played Melissa Gardner in Playhouse 51's production of Love Letters.
Larry Geater
(Bradford Winter)
This is Larry¹s second production on the Playhouse 51 stage. He was last seen as Nicky Holroyd in Bell, Book and Candle this past fall. He is a jack of all trades whose hobbies include raising his beautiful, witty daughter Megan and weirding out the normals. He may also be seen ballroom dancing in the ballrooms of the metropolis to our south.
Vivian Jones
(Gloria Gulock)
David is 39 years old and a native of Connecticut. He has been a resident of Millington for about 1 1/2 years. He started acting in elementary school, he played Charlie Brown in Your A Good Man Charlie Brown. In junior high he was in A Raisin in the Sun. In high school he played Hugo Peabody in Bye Bye Birdie. Everybody Loves Opal is his first production in many years. David says that he loves and enjoys acting, and looks forward to doing many more in the future.
David McKay
(Solomon Bozo)
David is 39 years old and a native of Connecticut. He has been a resident of Millington for about 1 1/2 years. He started acting in elementary school, he played Charlie Brown in Your A Good Man Charlie Brown. In junior high he was in A Raisin in the Sun. In high school he played Hugo Peabody in Bye Bye Birdie. Everybody Loves Opal is his first production in many years. David says that he loves and enjoys acting, and looks forward to doing many more in the future.
Jerry Wakefield
(Doctor)
Jerry began acting as an extra in the film Walk the Line and has been very busy in theatre and film ever since. Some of his credits include Dearly Departed at Southwest Community College, Hamlet Machine for Theatreworks, both Listen and Mark Twain Tales for The Fair Theatre in Somerville, TN, and played the character of Mr. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol at Theatre Memphis. He also appears in the independent film Across the River.
Carson Ghrigsby
(Officer Joe Jankie)
Carson Ghrigsby, who is making his stage debut, spends his days as a mild mannered computer programmer, for the United States Postal service. He lives in Atoka with his wife, Lisa, and daughter Rebecca. Carson is an avid reader who collects key chains that he is not allowed to display at home.
Melissa Wright
Everybody Loves Opal is Melissa's directorial debut for Playhouse 51. She is one of our most active members and has been with us since the beginning. She has worked crew for Love Letters, and has portrayed the memorable character of Ethel Banks in Barefoot in the Park. Melissa serves on the Playhouse 51 board as our Artistic Director. She is the mother of two children Brittany (11) and Garrett (7). Melissa was born in Millington, but was raised in Northeastern, PA. She returned to the area in 1989, following her father¹s retirement and to attend Memphis State University. Her theatre experience began as a small child and continued through college with some of the shows being: Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, Anything Goes, Oliver and Little Shop of Horrors. She is very excited to be directing this latest production for Playhouse 51.
Director
Assistant Director
Barry Martin
Barry spends his days doing temp work and his nights with Playhouse 51. He has helped in set construction and wherever else he is needed. He has also appeared in Playhouse 51 production of Barefoot in the Park as the Delivery Man. He is active in his church and community. He lives with his wife Cindy, his daughter Bonnie, his 3 dogs (Lucy, Bandit & Stinker) and Pepper the devil cat.
