Osborne and Eppler's SOUTHERN FRIED FUNERAL Next Up at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre

Southern Fried Funeral, the latest collaboration from playwrights Dietz Osborne and Nate Eppler, opens at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre on October 22, running through November 26 at the venerable Nashville dinner theater.

Who knew southern fried could be so good for you? At least it is in Osborne and Eppler's comedy, Southern Fried Funeral: Dewey Frye is dead and his wife Dorothy is left behind trying to pick up the pieces and hold her family together. Her daughters are at each othe'rs throats, Ozella Meeks from the Sonshine Committee at the church is trying to take over the funeral and Dewey's oldest brother is trying to take her house. Funerals bring out the best, the worst and the funniest in people and the Frye family is no exception. A big-hearted comedy about family-southern style.

Directed by playwright, Dietz Osborne, the cast features a who's who of Nashville theater to bring the characters to life. In addition to Southern Fried Funeral, he and Eppler have collaborated on FishaFrogaPotaTurnip, Sarah and The Secret of The Cellar (as well as a Christmas version), Cinderella 3.0 and last season's Rear Widow, which received notice by the First Night Awards as 2010's Best new script and ensemble performance.

The cast for Southern Fried Funeral includes: Chris Bosen (last seen in Everybody Loves Opal), Bryce Conner ( last seen in Annie and as "Starbuck" in The Rainmaker), Flynt Foster ( last seen in 3Ps Productions Mixed Nuts), Warren Gore ( last seen in Writer's Block), Daniel Hackman ( last seen in The Rainmaker), Debbie Kraski ( last seen as "Opal" in Everybody Loves Opal), Amanda Lamb ( last seen in Annie), Jennifer Richmond ( last seen in Annie and Writer's Block) Layne Sasser ( last seen in Christmas Belles) Tammie Whited (last seen in The Foreigner) Martha Wilkinson ( last seen at Chaffin's in The Late Late Show and Rear Widow).

Southern Fried Funeral runs October 22-November 26 on the mainstage Tuesday through Saturday evenings. The buffet is served from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with curtain at 8 p.m. Four "Theater in the Afternoon" Thursday senior matinees are scheduled for October 27, November 3, 10 and 17. The house opens at 11 a.m., the show is at noon. Tickets are $19, bring your own lunch with beverages provided or you may order a Chaffin's boxed lunch when you make your reservation for an additional $8.50. One Sunday matiness is set for Sunday, October 23, with the buffet served from noon to 1:30 p.m., with curtain at 2 p.m.

Ticket Prices for all other evening shows and Sunday matinees: $50 per adult, students (13-18 years of age) $40 for dinner/show, $30 for children 12 and under. Show only tickets are : $38 adults, $30 for children 12 and under, $34 for students.

Reservations are required by calling (615) 646-9977. Performances on October 22 and 23  are special previews for Southern Fried Funeral. The opening night gala, featuring champagne and special appetizers, will be Tuesday, October 25.