Article by Steve Hellman

​In its return to presenting live performances, Willits Community Theatre will open on Friday July 2 for a three-week run of  “The Viewing Room”, a comedy from Sacramento Playwright Mark Smith. The hilarious two-act play is about a stern and very dead patriarch who comes back to life for a chance to make amends with his family.

​Directed by Mathew Caine, the show features a cast of our local favorite actors. The part of old man Chester Dumbrosky is played by veteran actor Steve Marston, who Caine says brings a sweet intelligence to the role. Also starring in the play are Kelly Kesey, Kathy Vellis, Rod Grainger, Jeff Shipp, Robert Ford, Lisa Wilcox and Aris Vellis.

​Director Caine says it’s a real shocker when old man Dumbrosky pops up alive in his coffin at the mortuary and wants his kids and widow to understand—he’s only human. Caine says of the script, “There’s a lot of good little zingers and clever humor about the dysfunctional family.”

​While the initial shock and disbelief over Chester’s venting reappearance soon moves into laughable exchanges, it’s the alienated family members trying desperately to find some way out, through forgiveness of one another, that renders the most engaging humor. “Funny” and “heartwarming” sums it up.

​Performances of “The Viewing Room” will be on July 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18, with Thursday shows at 7:30pm for $15, Friday and Saturday at 8pm for $20, and Sunday matinees at 2pm for $15. Tickets are available online at the theatre website: www.wctperformingartscenter.org.

The WCT Playhouse is located at 37 W. Van Lane (behind Shanachie pub).

​The Willits Community Theatre will follow currently applicable COVID-19 state and county guidelines. For all but two shows, patrons will be required to bring their vaccination cards and show them at the door. For the Friday July 9 and July 16 shows, vaccination certificates will not be required and instead social distancing will be in place, with a maximum cap of 15 seats for each show.