Nate Sartell, Vivian Wills, Kari Dugas, Nancy Moore and Dan Cournoyer act in “Too Many Daughters: A Jane Austen Parody”. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript 
Lisa Derby Oden, playing an angel, consults with God by telephone. Lisa Derby Oden, playing an angel, consults with God by telephone. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript 
The Archangel Michael, played by Gavin Rheaum advises Adam and Eve, played by Patrich Gleich and Reagan Williams. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript 
The Pickups, Julie Mcadoo, Vivian Wills, Nancy Moore and Felicia Sartell provide backup music for WTDC. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript 
Richard Jensen sings a tune, backed by the Pickups, Julie Mcadoo, Vivian Wills, Nancy Moore and Felicia Sartell. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
It’s that time of year for the Temple Drama Club to take the stage at the Temple Town Hall and present a mix of original material and a one-act play.
The Temple Drama Club has been performing its annual show since 1970, often featuring humorous one-acts. The club welcomes all comers and has performers ages 10 to 84, said Club President Steve Cullinan.
As is tradition, the Drama Club begins its annual production with a selection of original skits written by Steve and Reenie Cullinan. The skits include topical humor about living in a small town, and specifically, Temple. The production includes the WTDC (with TDC standing for Temple Drama Club, of course) Radio Hour, featuring songs such as a parody of “Country Roads” called “Frost Heave Roads,” and a lament of the rising property taxes. Commercial breaks advertise products such as “cushy buns” for softening your seat during interminable Town Meetings.
Following their traditional original content, the Drama Club will be performing “Too Many Daughters: A Jane Austen Parody” by Clair Epstein.
Cullinan said that with several Austen-inspired mainstream properties coming out this year, including a “Sense and Sensibility” film, a “Pride and Prejudice” series on Netflix and “The Other Bennet Sister” on the BBC, an Austen satire seemed topical.
“And it gives us a chance to really dress up, which we don’t usually do,” joked Cullinan.
The one-act play, which runs for about 30 minutes, features the familiar trope of a mother seeking rich husbands for her bevy of daughters. The play satirizes the social climbing and match-making as the 12 (or maybe 13?) Ashworth daughters strive to make matches that satisfy their mother — meaning, mainly, rich ones.
The Temple Drama Club will present its annual production on Friday, May 15, and Saturday, May 16, at 8 p.m., at the Temple Town Hall. A donation of $5 is suggested. Refreshments will be available, also by donation.