First there was Greater Tuna, then A Tuna Christmas, followed by Red, White and Tuna and, most recently, Tuna Does Vegas. Lucky San Diegans will get to see the second one starring Fred Harlow and Don Loper. These two are a dream team for this play, portraying 22 characters in less than two hours.
But it isn't just these two quick-change artists. It is also designer Lisa Burgess, who collected and created a totally outrageous set of costumes for their multiple personalities. Also, a group of fantastic dressers, led by dressing room stage manager, Julie Farina, and a backstage team of dressers: Jamie Lloyd, Gloria Leggee, Miriam Cuperman, Juan Magallon, Brendon Slater, Harrison Myers and Rich Carrillo.
Written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard, A Tuna Christmas follows in the tradition of their first play. Opening with radio jocks Thurston Wheelis and Arles Stuvie reporting the yuletide events in that famous tiny village of Tuna, Texas, the play moves through events and tense moments that make up small-town life where everybody knows everybody else's most intimate business.
This year, Christmas yard displays are plagued by pranks from the Christmas Phantom. Could it be that juvenile delinquent Stanley Bumiller? What does his eccentric Aunt Pearl Burress know? Socialite Vera Carp is intent upon winning the competition for the 15th year. What does used weapons dealer Didi Snavely think?
You'll also meet the lovely, cowboy-lovin' Tastee Kreme waitresses Inita Goodwin and Helen Bedd. Tuna, Texas also has a little theater group whose annual production of A Christmas Carol may not go on. It seems they have an unpaid electric bill from years back, and the cantankerous actor playing Ghost of Christmas Past is creating serious problems.
That's just a taste of this fun piece. Yep, 'tis filled with down-home, small-town humor with a special Texan's twist. Harlow and Loper have captured the essences of their very special characters, with each characterization offering its own special nuance.
Assistant director Joseph Grienenberger is responsible for much of the diversified sound track. The flying-saucer-sequence sound track is awesome. No, I'm not gonna describe this scene; you'll love it.
