The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers

The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers

by  Lori Fischer, Don Chaffer

Full Length Musical, Comedy  /  2m, 2f

"Where Fischer's new musical succeeds so impressively is in its refreshing storytelling structure." - Broadway World

"Gales of laughter, moments of tenderness and poignant stories are being served up in...a wildly delightful new musical comedy." - Crossville Chronicle

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The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers

by  Lori Fischer Don Chaffer

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The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers

  • Cast Size

    Cast Size

    2m, 2f
  • Duration

    Duration

    105 Minutes
  • SubGenre

    Subgenre

    Not Applicable
  • Audience

    Target Audience

    • Adult
    • Senior

Additional Info

Along with the family dry cleaning business, Junie has also inherited the responsibility of taking care of her aging father and her sister who has just come back from rehab. When all Junie wants is to achieve her dream of becoming a country star, a small opportunity comes her way via the local church. She has been offered the opportunity to sing parting songs that are tailor-made for the recently deceased. A hilarious and compelling musical about family, loss, and the ways life gives you exactly what you need.

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Accolades

  • FINALIST! 2012 Richard Rogers Award
    SEMI-FINALIST! 2012 Eugene O'Neill Musical Theatre Conference

Reviews

"Where Fischer's new musical succeeds so impressively is in its refreshing storytelling structure." - Broadway World, Read More 

"Gales of laughter, moments of tenderness and poignant stories are being served up in...a wildly delightful new musical comedy." - Crossville Chronicle, Read More 

"Sparkley Clean is not only a fun and unique musical, it’s also bold and daring." - Discover Albany, Read More

"Fischer’s writing excels in its homespun, country-fried charm....Yet it’s the show’s relationships, to which Fischer gives a more-than-loving touch, that give the piece its most endearing quality." - Cabaret Scenes, Read More 

Videos

  • Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers trailer
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Keywords

Aging, Christianity, Death, Illness/Health, Love, Memory, Parenting/Family, Theatre/Entertainment Industry

Considerations

Performing Groups

  • Community Theatre
  • Dinner Theatre
  • Professional Theatre

Cautions

  • Caution Alcohol Alcohol

License details

  • Minimum Fee: $90 per performance

Production

Details

  • Time Period: 1990s
  • Duration: 105 Minutes
  • Setting:

    April - May 2008
    Ashland City, Tennessee
    Sparkley Clean Dry-Cleaners
    Lashley Family Kitchen
    Third United Separated Harmony Church
    A Crappy Hotel Room

  • Additional Features: Not Applicable
  • Features / Contains: Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes

Music

  • Musical Style: Country/Western, Folk
  • Vocal Demands: Moderate
  • Orchestra Size: Small/Combo
  • Chorus Size: No Chorus

Song Samples

Honky Without The Tonky
0:00
Back At The Sparkley
0:00
Death Is Everywhere
0:00
Big Time Plans
0:00
Bindy, Take A Seat At The Banquet table ('Cause There's No Need For Food Drives In Heaven)
0:00
No Impulse Control
0:00
Sweet Macaroon
0:00
Love Hangs On
0:00
Humdinger Sing Along
0:00
Jimmy Boy Brown and His Toy Poodle, Puddin'
0:00
Begin And End With You
0:00
St. Peter, If You're Listening, Tell Arthur Reid Hello
0:00
A Little Bitty Bug Bit A Little Bitty Bear
0:00
All You Can Eat Liver And Onions
0:00
Alcoholic Bungee Jumper
0:00
Hello To Another Goodbye
0:00
Lay Your Burden Down
0:00
To Build A Beautiful Life (A Poem For My Daughters)
0:00

Casting

2m, 2f

JUNIE LASHLEY – Optimistic, yet curiously obsessed with/afraid of death, very funny, kind, ambitious, loves to sing, but petrified to sing alone, strong actress, comedienne and singer, 40s
LASHLEY LEE LASHLEY – Funny, attractive, sexy, alcoholic, feels a constant inner ache from having been abandoned by her mom, strong singer and actress, 40s
LYLE E. LASHLEY – Junie and Lashley’s father, deeply in love with his estranged-wife, has Alzheimer’s, loves his daughters and loves to sing, late 60s/early 70s
PASTOR PHIL – Gambling addict, very funny, sincere, singer and compulsive hugger, big time Lashley Sisters fan, 35–40

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Cast Attributes

  • Ensemble cast
  • Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle)
  • Parts for Senior Actors

Resources

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Scripts

The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers

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Authors

Lori Fischer

Lori Fischer

Lori FISCHER is the “2008 New York University Harry Kondoleon Graduate Award in Playwriting” recipient and a 2008-09 Dramatists Guild Fellow. Lori received her M.F.A. from the N.Y.U. Dramatic Writing Department in 2008 and she received her B.A. degree from Belmont University. Recent Theater Credits: Lori and co-wri ...

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Don Chaffer

Don Chaffer

Don Chaffer is a composer/lyricist who has had a parallel career in the music business as a producer, engineer, musician, songwriter, and recording artist (when solo, as Don Chaffer, and when with a band he shares with his wife, Lori Coscia Chaffer, as Waterdeep). The musical, The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers (with ...

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The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers premiered at Capital Repertory Theater in Albany, NY in July 2013 under the direction of Martha Banta.

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