August 11, 2006 - Greater Tuna

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth

It's Crazy Down in Tuna, Texas!

The show, Greater Tuna by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard is a hilarious satire on life in rural America, although it's a satire told with more than a bit of gay sensibility and a lot of heart.

The show tells the story of a day in the life of 20 eclectic residents of Tuna, Texas, where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. Two actors Murray Chase and Alan Kollar play all the roles as they maniacally change costumes and personas.

According to the actors, not only are the on stage antics something to marvel at, but it's backstage where sometimes the real show takes place.

"The costumes were all built from scratch, meant for fast changes," says Murray Chase. "Sometimes we come off one side of the stage and never stop walking, but by the time we come on the other side we are in a different costume and a different personality."

The actors play ten roles each, men and women, and the characters are memorable. From somebody's Aunt Bertha to the Humane Society's adorable Pety Fisk these characters are hilarious.

Chase is the artistic director of the Venice Little Theatre, in Venice, Florida where the show was originally staged to great acclaim. While Tuna represents an artistic challenge, it's on the humorous side. His other favorite roles include dramatic turns as Big Daddy in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Johnny in Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune, and Al in The Road to Nirvana.

Alan Kollar has a varied resume as well. Along with his light-hearted turns in Tuna, he's played Mozart in Amadeus and Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath. Kollar calls the characters he plays in Tuna "over the top Southerners," and promises that audiences will "recognize these folks."

"It's true," says Chase, "every character in the show, including Yippy the Dog is just like somebody I actually know."

Between them, the actors have over 30 years of experience and, as they say, are "both actual Southerners," so they get these characters.

However, Chase and Kollar are quick to say that their Tuna Helpersthat's what they call the backstage crew, naturallyare every bit as important as the folks on stage. Each actor has three dressers backstage and everyone gets an exhausting workout during the hour and a half production.

It is interesting to note that a production of Greater Tuna starring the play's authors has played the White House twiceand has been noted as a White House favorite proving that a little drag can be pleasing to everyone!

The show being brought to town by HTP is directed by Nancy Hoover, who has been a volunteer, guest director, and board member of Venice Little Theater for 12 years.

Directing credits include Dearly Departed, Belles, and Camelot. Acting credits include The Vagina Monologues, Sordid Lives, and The Runner Stumbles.

Right now the show is in rehearsal in Florida, and Chase and Kollar will be arriving in Rehoboth shortly. They have a preview arranged in Naples, Florida and then they tech-in here at Cape Henlopen High School on August 15.

The show will play at the Cape Henlopen High School theater; August 17, 18, and 19 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 ($50 for premium seating and invitation to the Saturday cast party) and are available by calling 302-226-4103.

The Tuna townspeople like Arles Struvie, Didi Snavely, Pety Fisk, the Bumiller family, Thurston Wheelis, Pearl Burras and RR Snavely are waiting to meet you.

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 16, No. 11 August 11, 2006