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Mayberry Moments runs March 12, 13 at the Playhouse
mayberry

At a glance

* “Mayberry Moments” is set for 8 p.m. March 12 and 3 p.m. March 13 at the Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St.
* Tickets are going fast, so anyone interested in attending should go to www.playhousecumming.com or call (770) 781-9178.
* Ticket cost is $30 or $25 for veterans, students 18 and younger and seniors 60 and older.

CUMMING -- Take a trip to the simpler time of “The Andy Griffith Show” when the Cumming Playhouse presents “Mayberry Moments” on March 12 and 13.

“Mayberry Moments” features two original cast members of the classic television series: Maggie Patterson and Rodney Dillard, who portrayed members of the Bluegrass-playing family band, The Darlings.

In 1962, The Dillards, who had a new recording contract with Elektra Records, were asked by the producers of the “The Andy Griffith Show” to portray members of the Darling family.

To this day, The Dillards, seen as The Darlings, are known all over the world thanks to the enormous popularity of “The Andy Griffith Show.”

No Mayberry show would be complete without everyone’s favorite deputy. And in “Mayberry Moments,” that role is portrayed by David Browning.

“The Mayberry Deputy” is the most noted of David Browning’s characters and started in 1988 when a friend of his asked The Dillards to play Bluegrass music in Bristol, Tenn.

Browning joined them after he put together a Barney Fife-type act based on his memory of the classic TV show. His portrayal of the well-loved deputy was a hit.

“I discovered that I could make a statement as David Browning that was not funny at all, but the same statement made in uniform as ‘The Mayberry Deputy’ had audiences falling out of their seats,” he said.

Since then, Browning has portrayed the character more than 5,000 times at venues in 35 states and Canada.

Browning even toured as an opening act for Don Knotts, the actor who brought Barney Fife to life in the television series, for a few years prior to the star’s death in 2006.

Thanks to a friend of the Cumming Playhouse, audiences will also have a chance to view a patrol car just like the one Deputy Fife and Sheriff Andy used in the 1960s sitcom.

Slade Lail of Duluth will bring his refurbished police vehicle, which will sit on the Playhouse lawn for patrons to view as they enter and exit the show.

Browning believes audiences will enjoy “Mayberry Moments” so much because it will remind them of a simpler time gone by.

“In the world we live in today, people are searching for their own Mayberry,” he said. “I value ‘The Mayberry Deputy’ character for what it gives people today — a laugh, a lift and memories.”