THE SPARKLEY CLEAN FUNERAL SINGERS
Capital Repertory Theatre
What's a girl to do? Junie inherits the job of taking over the family dry cleaning business, tending to Dad — who's having a hard time remembering things — and keeping an eye on her sister Lashley, who's fresh from rehab after crashing their tour bus. Junie's Nashville dreams are on hiatus, until the local church offers her a gig writing songs to make every final send-off a very special one. This world premiere is a hilarious and compelling musical comedy about family, loss, and the ways life gives you exactly what you need.
concept rendering
chapel
motel
transforming table/coffin
shop exterior (from House Left)
Lashley home — hallway & kitchen
THE SPARKLEY CLEAN FUNERAL SINGERS
book by Lori Fischer, music & lyrics by Lori Fischer & Don Chaffer
​
Capital Repertory Theatre​
​
director Martha Banta
musical director Don Chaffer
scenic and projection design David Esler
lighting design Mary Louise Geiger
costume design Andrea Lenci-Cerchiara
sound design Brad Berridge
​
cast: Reathel Bean, Carter Calvert, Lori Fischer, Jesse Lenat
Working on an attractive, smartly designed set by David Esler and supported by a sharp band led by Don Chaffer, who co-wrote the music and lyrics, Lori Fischer and director Martha Banta create an often moving story about love, loss and finding your way.
–Steve Barnes, Albany Times-Union
​
The action occurs on a clever multi-purpose set, by David Esler, with subtle lighting changes by Mary Louise Geiger indicating various locales.
​
–Paul Lamar, Schenectady Daily Gazette
​
​
Once the lights go up on an extraordinary set, the show takes off. ... Now let’s talk about this set. When you enter you see a stage basically split in half: on the right, the kitchen of a house; and on the left, the dry cleaning business. The projections and the amazing second set just add to the show. The lighting and projection designs are beautiful!
– DiscoverAlbany.com
​
​
​