There's humor even in the saddest of moments, as is clearly and comically defined by "dearly departed," now being performed at Poway Performing Arts Company now through Sunday, Nov. 22.

When "daddy bud" Turpin dies, a mini-drama unfolds, exposing the Turpin family's ups and downs.

PowPAC audiences will be able to identify with much of "dearly departed's" humorous edge. From a family quibbling over mundane issues to the let's-all-pitch-in tone, there's something familiar about the words of playwrights David Bottrell and Jessie Jones.

Russ Orr's direction and the perfect timing of Pow PAC's actors make "dearly departed" the kind of entertainment worth turning the television or VCR off for.

As the Turpin family copes with its grief, planning a funeral and reviewing what "daddy bud" Turpin's life was all about, there's one evident truth: "daddy bud" never qualified as being a man that should receive a glowing eulogy.

Thespians Jim Payton, Teresa Henning, Randolph Howell, Eileen Ivey, Kristine KaCee, Sherrie Lessard, Linda Orr, Tom Rafferty, Brent Stringfield and Kathryne Lynne Vaughan add to the merriment.

Payton and Henning, plus the match of Linda Orr and Brent Stringfield as Junior and Suzanned Turpin, exemplify the roller-coaster ride of marriage with a good-natured approach.

Aunt Marguerite, played by Sherrie Lessard, tries her best to keep everyone on the straight and narrow with her bible-quoting reminders. Her son Royce lets her words roll down his back. Marguerite suggests a bible saying for "daddy bud's" tombstone, but meets with mixed clan reaction.

Once Raynelle is alone with her nephew Royce, she whispers, "i know what i want on the tombstone, but you have to keep it a secret. it's only 12 letters. it should be 'mean and surly.' yep, 'mean and surly' that's what it should say."