06/03/2026
DEARLY BELOVED SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: Written by Kyle Wolford in Association with Kickin’ It With Kyle
Some of you may remember when the Embassy put on Christmas Belles in 2024, the hilarious show about a church in Fayro, TX putting on a Nativity Scene for Christmas? Well good news, that show is part of a trilogy! That’s right, Dearly Beloved is the 1st show of that trilogy.
Instead of Christmas, the special event for
Dearly Beloved is a wedding in the Futrelle family. This show, based in Fayro, TX, shows the ups and downs of a big family (and friends) in a small town. While comedy is the huge theme, Dearly Beloved also keeps you on your toes with conflicts and lots of heartwarming moments.
Tyler Gilks returns as the director of this show and once again he did not disappoint. The interactions between characters felt natural and helped show the close-knit small-town atmosphere. Gilks created a fast-paced and entertaining show that balanced humor and heart so perfectly.
Now these performers and a whole blew me away. You’d think you walked into Texas with their accents, they are SPOT ON! The ensemble work of all of them truly stands out. You can tell that they’re not just reciting their lines, they’re truly listening to each other and responding. Always makes the show more believable and entertaining.
All three of the original Futrelle Sisters returned and I was so happy to see them back together. The chemistry of these three women is UNMATCHED! First is the eldest and boy crazy Honey Rae (Maddy Painter). Painter keeps the audiences' eyes on her with her expressive facials and movements. The sassy and hardworking middle sister is T***k (Lily Jackson). Jackson gives so much life to each scene she is in, bringing so much character and emotion into not only her lines, but how she moves around the stage. And the youngest, who funny enough is the only mother, Frankie (Katlynn Lahman). Lahman played Frankie very real and genuine, you would think she had kids of her own at home with how perfectly she played the role of a mother.
The owner of Bookoo Bokay and the wedding planner is none other than Mrs. Geneva Musgrave (LuAnn Lancaster), the woman who is truly in charge and she lets you know it. Not only does she command each character, but Lancaster commands the stage with her stage presence, leaving no question that she is a veteran of the stage.
The husband of the youngest Futrelle sister is Dub Dubberly, played by Sawyer Jenkins. One thing that has always been perfectly done by him is his comedic timing. I’ve seen Jenkins in several shows at the Embassy and beyond, there is not one show where he has failed to make me fall out of my chair laughing.
The sister of the bride and the bride herself is
Lily Riley who plays the twins Gina Jo and Tina Jo. As the youngest character of the show, Riley brought so much liveliness onto the stage. It was like a ray of sunshine every time she entered.
Called in last minute during his UPS deliveries to ordain was Brother Justin Waverly, played by Jack Tabb. Seeing Tabb in this role again was so refreshing as Justin is such a lovable character. He was a standout character in Christmas Belles, his performance giving 110% then and certainly now.
The mother of the groom, Patsy Price (Amy Green), is the woman trying to stop this wedding. Patsy is one of those characters that you just can’t stand, always thinking of herself. That is how you know Green is a fabulous actor because she is such a lovely person who you could never hate.
John Curtis (Robbie Smith) is the Deputy Sheriff of Fayro, TX and the best friend of Dub. John Curtis is such a lovable, babbling character, even if he’s not always the sharpest tool in the shed. Smith brings so much warmth to the stage, giving John true loyalty and lighthearted humor
Lastly, let’s talk about what I like to refer to as the comedic reliefs of the show. And I say that because when they are on stage, you cannot stop laughing. Brock Dunnington plays Raynard Chisum, the lovable, wagon dragging do**us and Ian Donoway plays T***k’s significant other who is sick for the wedding. Both actors bring so much physicality to their roles in separate ways. While you don’t see them often, the show would not be the same without these two.
Now a show wouldn’t be a show without the amazing people behind the scenes making it happen. Denise Gilks serves as the Stage Manager for this show and makes this show run smoothly. The Sound, Lighting, and Set Design were all done by Tyler Gilks, or as I like to call him “The man who does it all”. Costumes were done by Dani Whitlock, each costume adding more to each character’s personality.
Others to thank for this production include the set builders (Tyler Gilks and Amy Green), the Props team (Samantha Crowe, Lily Riley, Dani Whitlock, and Tyler Gilks), the Graphic Design/Publicity Team (Maddy Painter, Lily Jackson, Skylar Lane, and Sawyer Jenkins) and the Producers (Denise Gilks and Skylar Lane). All their hard work does not go unnoticed.
If you find yourself bored this weekend, I highly suggest taking a trip to Fayro, TX to get a good laugh! Not to mention a show-themed drink at the bar.
Dearly Beloved runs tonight (Saturday) at 8pm and tomorrow (Sunday) at 2pm, as well as next weekend with the same times including Friday at 8pm. Located at the Embassy Theatre on 49 Baltimore St Cumberland, MD. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or online at https://our.show/dearly-beloved.
