Miss Hazel’s House of Heavenly Rest

Characters: 7 Performance: 90 minutes One Act

Miss Hazel’s House of Heavenly Rest was written in 1990. The play was first seen onstage opening on February 22, 1991 (running for 10 weeks) at the Community Service Council of Greater Harlem, Inc., 207 West 133^rd Street, Harlem, produced by the legendary actress Gertrude Jeannette Hadley for her H.A.D.L.E.Y Players Theatre Company.

Death is not taken lightly in this production in its humor or storyline.  It is the people who returned to see it again and again that made it the talk of the community. Because of other productions previously scheduled at the Greater Harlem Center, House of Heavenly Rest moved to theaters, churches, and community centers that included the Harlem School of the Arts, National Black Theatre, Salvation Army Chapel, Mother A.M.E. Zion and St. Philip’s Episcopal Church.

In July of 1998, a return visit to the H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players led to a six-week sold-out run.  August of 2009, three sold-out weekends in a return visit to the National Black Theatre and most recently four successful performances at the Salvation Army Chapel in 2019.

What is the hoot and holla about the House of Heavenly Rest?’ It is best described as a comical satire on what can transpire at a funeral home. The action takes place in the reception area and a small conference room where grief is expressed along numerous avenues.

Miss Hazel, the owner of the establishment is away attending a funeral convention, leaving the daily duties of running her business to her longtime friend and funeral director.  This is not an easy task, as he is thrust into being both mediator and peacemaker to those arriving to make final arrangements.

As the plot moves from one situation after another evoking humor where least expected, it is soon obvious that chaos and confusion is detrimental in the hands of those left behind.  Deep seeded family issues open unhealed wounds and unspoken words between a brother and sister trying to take control of mama’s life insurance policy.  Emotions arise in the heart of a mobster that deter his ulterior motive.  Flirtatious advances of a gigolo shift his attention from his deceased wife whose arrangements are yet to be finalized.

There are many surprises at the House of Heavenly Rest, including a drop in by Isaiah Owens, Harlem’s iconic funeral director on Lenox Avenue.  As a longtime successful mortuary owner, Owens offers real life advise on the ups and downs of the burial business.

The gist of the production and its written purpose is that audiences will listen and learn from the hilarious dialogue.  Most importantly, they will gain an understanding that insurance policies are to be looked over carefully, a will is important to delegate valuable assets and beneficiaries are protected by law.

In the best of times and even the worst of times, you may need to laugh out loud.  The essence of Miss Hazel’s House of Heavenly Rest is grounded on the belief that laughter can heal a heavy heart.  Just throw your head back, open your mouth and let it go.

*as Ms. Lacy*

ALICIA DAVIS
ANITA WELLS
ANTONIA BADON
LEE KIRK
STACY S. PRYOR

*as Alexander Hooper*

JEFF BOLDING
JERRY LOVE
LARRY PURIFORY
LAWRENCE THORPE
MICHAEL HOLMES

*as Nathan Cooke*

AJENE WASHINGTON
ALBERT EGGLESTON, III
JAMES SMITH
MARCIAL HOWARD
RON WILKS

*as Mabel Hooper*

JOAN GREEN
C. C. ANTOINETTE
CLAUDINE RUCKER
DEE SPENCER
HAZEL R. SMITH
KAMILI BAXTER
KIM YANCEY
LOUISE BETHUNE
PAMELA HENDERSON
SUSIE DRAYTON

*as Pauline*

ANGELA BOURELLY
ANITA SWINT
CHRISTIAN COOPER
HAZEL R. SMITH
LOUISE MIKE

*as Hector Cortez*

CODY GOUDEAU
DAMON HORTON
E. BOYSIE WHITE
LA FREDERICK COAXNER

*as Jonathan Bryant*

JERRY MAPLE
JIMMY HAYESON
LARRY PURIFORY
WARD NIXON