By John Lyle Belden

The 1990s were a quaint time, weren’t they? Of course, it wasn’t so nice if you were a “ho-mo-sex-y’all” in Texas – or if your good Christian mother’s love affair gets discovered in the worst possible way.

Welcome to the steamy world of “Sordid Lives,” the classic comedy by Del Shores, presented by Buck Creek Players.

Ty (Kyler Casbon) has a lot to say to his therapist. Despite being a working actor in New York, he’s still in the process of coming out as gay, and feels he has to “butch up” to survive a return to his Texas hometown for his grandmother’s funeral.

The deceased, Peggy Ingram, passed in an accident during a tryst with a married man, G.W. Nethercott (Josh Rooks), who is left wracked with guilt – over the death, but not the adultery. Peggy’s sister, Sissy (Elizabeth Ruddell) is trying to hold it together and make the arrangements between nicotine cravings. G.W.’s wife Noleta (Lea Ellingwood) is furious, but not at Peggy.

Peggy’s daughters, Latrelle (Cathy Cutshall) and Lavonda (Letitia Clemons) are adults, but not very mature. Latrelle, who is Ty’s mother, deals with situations through denial, Lavonda copes with liquor and sarcasm. At the neighborhood bar, G.W. commiserates with local good ol’ boys the Owens brothers, Odell (Jeremy Tuterow) and Wardell (Logan Laflin).

Meanwhile, Peggy’s son, Brother Boy (Thomas Turner), languishes in the mental hospital where he was placed years ago for being gay and dressing up as country legends like Kitty Wells. Today he is a living tribute to Tammy Wynette, much to the chagrin of Dr. Eve Bollinger (Renee Lopez), who really, really, wants to “cure” him so she can get rich off her resulting book deal.

With all these elements in place, it’s truly going to be one wild, hilarious episode of Lone Star lunacy.

There are wonderful performances all around, including Cutshall’s battles with harsh reality, Rooks’ blubbering repentance, Laflin’s wild change of heart, and Lopez’s over-the-top misguided doctor. And Turner cannot be praised enough for his wonderful turn, ladylike enough to want to help his “recovery” but savvy enough to know when it’s time for a country girl to stand for herself.

This delight is directed by Ben Jones, who opts for a recorded Bitsy, the local country singer whose songs set up the scenes. Nothing feels “missing,” though, fitting Jones’ goal of a simple, easy to relate to vision of family love and acceptance. Mary Miller is stage manager.

One weekend remains of “Sordid Lives,” with performances Friday through Sunday, Aug. 11-13 at 11150 Southeastern Ave. (Acton Road exit off I-74), Indianapolis. Get info and tickets at buckcreekplayers.com.