They're back and wackier than ever -- that deliciously demented family that defines dysfunctional: The Dugans of Korbel! Yes, fanatic fans of Humboldt County's favorite soap opera, after nearly 10 years the outdoor stage of Dell'Arte's Rooney Amphitheater in Blue Lake will welcome the infamous Dugan clan back to Mad River Festival 2008.

The first three installments of their stirring saga began in 1994 with “The Funeral of the Century.” That was followed by “The Wedding of the Year,” then continued with what appeared to be the final episode, “An Earth-Shattering Birth.”

But, you can't keep a good Dugan down. Now, back to reprise their original roles are founding Dell'Arte Company members Joan Schirle as the perky ghost of Dugan matriarch, Dorothy; Michael Fields as her inept ex-logger son, Tommy; and Donald Forrest as other son, Terry, a transvestite/lesbian war hero. They return to share their latest hilarious misadventure, “Korbel IV: The Accident.”

Since Dell'Arte is always a bold theater of time and place, this current incarnation sends up current events affecting, both the citizens of Korbel and its neighboring communities, that will surely resonate with local audiences.

Here's a quick thumbnail plot synopsis: With the demise of the town's major logging company, townsfolk have been forced to create other gainful employment to survive. Most are now using their homes to grow medical marijuana; the rest are working at a local for-profit hospital (called St. Mo) located on an old trailer park site on the grounds of a nearby casino.

However, most of Korbel's electric power is being used by the grow houses, so when a major freak automobile accident occurs, involving, of course, the Dugans, and they end up in the hospital attached to life-saving machines.

But, a crisis arises when there's a sudden power outage: There's only enough electricity to continue to keep just one person alive. Which Dugan will it be? Who will survive to continue the saga? Of course, being dead hasn't kept a Dugan from reappearing in another installment, so who knows what will happen? In any case, Dell'Arte ain't tellin'.

Once again written and directed by Michael Fields (who also reprises his role of inept ex-logger, Terry), he says that “each time you come back to story, you're really still dealing with the microcosm of a community, so it reflects what has happened in the situation of Korbel. It's kind of a metaphor for living here.”

And, he says that because there have been a lot of changes that have taken place in and around the town, as well as nationally and internationally, that have been incorporated into the material for the current show. So, the story is both timely and topical in its satirical commentary.

”I think there's a couple of major surprises in this one, that I wouldn't want to reveal,” Fields said. “But there's some big turns towards the end of it, with more of a life-or-death situation for all of these people who have been in this horrible accident and are now in St. Mo Hospital in dire straits. Although this makes the story more serious, it's still got lots of the kind of comedy that our audiences expect from Dell'Arte.”

But, he explained that there's one big difference between the performance content of this version of “Korbel” and its three predecessors: It's basically a musical -- and it has an underlying message of forgiveness. Not group forgiveness, but personal forgiveness, on a one-to-one level. As far as the musical aspects of the show are concerned, Fields says he's “always been a big fan of the American Musical Comedy, and so it seemed a natural for me to honor that genre this time around.

”We've included, in our cast, some of the best voices in Humboldt (Joyce Hough, Lila Nelson and Jaese Lecuyer), backed by our house band under the direction of Tim Gray. Tim has composed some original songs, and there'll also be some covers of standards mixed in as well.”

So this time, the Dugan Saga is set to music. Now that sounds like fun.

Forest says he's really been looking forward to returning as the outrageously poignant Terry, since this will be his first, on-stage theatrical appearance since having both hips replaced just a few months ago.

”I get to work again with my favorite peers, Joan and Michae), as well as some other great Dell'Arte trained actors (like Bob and Lynne Wells) -- and, I get to play most of my scenes lying in a St. Mo hospital bed (good for my recuperating hips), and don't have to sing very often (good for the audience).” Welcome back, Donald.

According to Schirle, there's a whole new character introduced in this one who's in the family.

”Who I won't reveal because that's kind of a surprise.” said Schirle. “If you miss 'Korbel IV' during its limited two weekend run during the festival, you'll most likely be out-of-luck as far as seeing it anytime in the near future.”

She explained. “The thing with the 'Korbels' is that they're made for our local audience -- and the casts of them are usually pretty huge, over 20 on stage at some point. So, the shows are not things that we can either plan to tour, or are easy to bring back. So, you never know, of course, but I would say that if people want to see it, they really ought to come out and catch it during this two short weekend run.”

When asked what has been the most intriguing thing about reprising her role of Dugan matriarch, Dorothy, after almost a decade between portrayals, Schirle replied, “Well, it's not been so much about finding something new, as greeting an old friend -- trying to reconnect with my 'inspiration' for her, who was the mother of my boyfriend at-the-time.

”She was a chirpy, very 'always look on the bright side' kind of person. It's been really interesting to 'revisit' that unlimited optimism again, playing someone who insists that, no matter what, everything 'must' turn out right (or else!) -- and, “she chuckled, “fun to hand out the physical punishment to her two 'boys' as a little old lady who 'whups 'em up side the head' when they misbehave.”

If all of the above isn't enough to lure you out to savor the unforeseen theatrical delights of “Korbel IV: The Accident,” let me add one more unexpected cast incentive: Jane Hill will be making a special cameo appearance.

Hill, a co-founder of Dell'Arte, also directed the very first production of the very first Mad River Festival. It was “The Drunkard,” a classic melodrama with a musical score by Barry Manilow. So, it's fitting that she too returns to the Rooney stage in this Mad River musical debut.

After the show premieres tonight at 8 p.m., its limited two-weekend run continues with 8 p.m. performances in the outdoor Rooney Amphitheater on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Thursday, June 3rd; (no performance on Friday, July 4th); Saturday, 5th; and closes on Sunday, July 6th.

Tickets are $15 general; $12 students/seniors; $12 children twelve and under. For detailed information, call the Dell Arte Box Office at 668-5663 ext. 5. Or, go to www.dellarte.com. Remember, this is an outdoor, evening performance, so arrive at least 15 minutes in advance of curtain, and be sure to dress accordingly to keep warm and comfortable.