Greater Tuna opens at Rogers City Theater

The characters of Tuna, Texas are back at the Rogers City Theater for the performance of Greater Tuna. Following the performance of A Tuna Christmas at the Rogers City Theater last year, the first in the three-part series comes to the local stage for six performances. The play, which is the 11th live drama staged at the theater since Karl Heidemann purchased the operation, is set for Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Performances are also scheduled for January 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. with the final show set for Sunday, January 14 at 2 p.m. Karl W. Heidemann and Dan Nordenbrock play all of the 22 characters in the play, helped by dressers Meghan Harp, Sheela Welch Allum and Riconda Lamb, in their many costume changes as the scenes play on.

Greater Tuna is the hilarious comedy about Texas’ third smallest town, where the Lion’s Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. The eclectic band of citizens that make up this town are portrayed by only two performers, making this satire on life in rural America even more delightful as they depict all of the inhabitants of Tuna — men, women, children and animals. Heather Nordenbrock, who also serves as costumer, directs the play. Karl Heidemann and Charlotte Heidemann are in charge of set construction and design while Mike Klann is the sound technician. Anna Kamyszek runs the light board for the play.

By 1985, Greater Tuna was the most produced play in the United States with schools, colleges, community and professional theatres all anxious to add the hit comedy to their repertoire. Meanwhile, Joe Sears and Jaston Williams were continuing their whirlwind tours in such prestigious theatres as the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and the Marines Memorial Theatre in San Francisco. Greater Tuna’s popularity crossed the Atlantic in 1988 as the highlight of Scotland’s famed Edinburgh Festival. Back at home, the Marines Memorial Theatre in San Francisco began a local production of Greater Tuna which ran continuously for a record-breaking seven years. The popularity of Greater Tuna has even extended to the most distinguished home in the country, with Command Performances at the White House upon the invitation of President and Mrs. Bush in 1990 and again in 1991. The demand for a sequel then became so great that writers Jaston

Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard created A Tuna Christmas, in which the much beloved citizens of Tuna contribute their special brand of humor to that holiday for their appreciative audiences nationwide.

In December of 1994, A Tuna Christmas took Broadway by storm, playing to rave reviews and turning the toughest critics into “Tuna” fans. In return they presented Sears with the esteemed honor of a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play. To complete the Tuna Trilogy, creators Williams, Sears and Howard have written the final installment entitled Red, White and Tuna, which is touring nationally.

Plans are already underway for the next production at the Rogers City Theater, Urinetown, the Musical. Auditions for the comedy are January 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. at the theater. Up to 10 men and 10 women will be cast for the play, which requires singing and dancing. Urinetown, the Musical won Tony Awards for Best Musical Score and Best Book of a Musical. The show is a satire that pokes fun at many things, including its own unattractive title. The play will be performed six times beginning March 9. The productions are made possible by a continuing grant from the Huron Shores Humanities Council.

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