Joyce DeWitt Draws Talent, Audiences to 'Dearly Departed'

[Zoneboy]

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As housemate to Jack Tripper and Chrissy Snow on the TV sitcom Three's Company, Janet Wood was always the one trying to bring order to the chaos.

And actress Joyce DeWitt, who played the character from 1976 to 1984, is at it once again. This time around, it's as rational voice Lucille in the upcoming Nashville Dinner Theatre production of Dearly Departed. All around her, the Turpin family deals with the death of its Southern patriarch in rather eccentric ways.


Truth be told, it wasn't the part that was originally discussed for her. The veteran performer, who's been onstage since age 13, was tapped for a more comedic role. But after reading the script "the fifth, the 10th time," she realized she identified more with Lucille, who comes across as "an act of love." It's the result, she says, of an intense 15-year period away from the public eye, a time to learn about "the art of being human."

"I traveled, I studied with different teachers, I looked at the great religions," she says. "I was asking all of those questions like, 'What are we doing here?' 'What is our relationship to one another?' 'What is our responsibility to one another, to the planet, to the universe?' "

And what she came away with, she says, are new ideas about compassion and purpose — as well as a different focus for the parts she picks. Though the Turpin family is hysterical in its highly dysfunctional ways, DeWitt admits she loves the fact that the characters "come to an understanding of the heart" along the way. The piece follows the clan from the moment Bud Turpin dies through the impromptu reunion that his funeral becomes.

"It's my favorite kind of play," she says, noting that she's performed everything from Shakespeare to Cole Porter. "It allows me to tickle the audience's fancy and give laughs, but at the same time, give more of a deeper note."

Kaine Riggan, founding director for the Senior Center for the Arts, which the Nashville Dinner Theatre benefits, calls it a thrill to work with DeWitt, noting that her recognizable face brings newcomers not only to the audience but also to the stage.

"We'll see people audition that we've never seen before, because people will want to do a show with her," he says. "It sure looks good on a résumé to perform opposite Joyce DeWitt."

Even so, DeWitt is as excited about working with the theater and the rest of the cast as they are to have her.

"I do feel that when you've been given great opportunities and gifts within a lifetime, it's somewhat incumbent on you to give back," she says. "I do believe we'll all share equally, and be an ensemble company. But if there's a side effect of that, if there's a less experienced actor on the stage that might learn something from our sharing, that would be an accidental plus."

And it's even OK, she says, that she won't be the one getting all the laughs.

"I don't really care if someone else is funnier than I am," she says. "As long as it's a good play. I'm happy to do my part to help hold the structure up."

Much like Janet Wood did for so many years, offering an experience DeWitt describes as "amazing" even now.

"When people recognize me, it really is such an explosion of joy," she says. "It's stunning. They give me personally, whether I deserve it or not, the relationship of joy that they got from watching us as the characters. And you can't help but be thrilled and touched by that."



Joyce DeWitt, known for her role as Janet Wood on Three's Company, performs in Dearly Departed.

[catlover79]

[janet42]

I wish you GOOD LUCK JOYCE!!