Long-awaited comedy returns to TPAC

Tennessee Repertory Theatre, the state’s largest professional theatre, presents the 20th anniversary tour of the granddaddy of all Tunas?GREATER TUNA. This hilarious hit comedy about the third smallest town in Texas where the Lions Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies, had its humble beginnings in a Sixth Street cabaret in Austin, Texas in 1981. Master comedians Jaston Williams, Joe Sears along with director Ed Howard, were the imaginative authors who parlayed the sketch into the critically acclaimed production which has entertained audiences across the country ever since.

GREATER TUNA returns to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville during its 20th Anniversary Tour. The limited two-week engagement, Sept. 10-22, opens Tennessee Repertory Theatre’s 2002-2003 Mainstage Series in TPAC’s Polk Theater.

The Rep production will star creators Sears and Williams, the original masters of comedy and quick change who play all 20 roles in the comedy that spawned two successful sequels, A TUNA CHRISTMAS and RED, WHITE AND TUNA. All three shows in the “Tuna Trilogy” top the list of the best-attended comedies in TPAC’s 22-year history, owing their longevity and popularity nationwide to the universal humor of families and small towns.

“I saw the debut production of GREATER TUNA in New York and still have vivid memories of that performance. It was absolutely the funniest play that I had ever seen in my life,” said David Grapes, the artistic producer and director of Tennessee Rep. “People who know me, know that I am not apt to laugh out loud in the theatre.

“I usually smile or chuckle, but this one absolutely blew me away. GREATER TUNA is so unique and so well done that I laughed until my side hurt. We’re honored, really, that we’re getting Joe Sears and Jaston Williams to open our season. While TPAC audiences have seen them in recent years in the other Tuna shows, it’s been some time since they’ve appeared in the original play themselves. We can’t wait.”

Although written and first performed 20 years ago, the residents of TUNA could not be more up-to-date. Contemporary politicians and the Religious Right have put the basis for the tongue-in-cheek comedy in GREATER TUNA right back on the front pages of today’s newspapers.

Vera Carp is still leading the Smut Snatchers of the New Order in their campaign to clear the library shelves of dirty books like “Huckleberry Finn” and “Romeo and Juliet.” Elmer Watkins speaks up for the Ku Klux Klan, Petey Fisk argues for animal rights and everybody is talking about a Celebrity Murder and UFO Sightings.

Original New York stars Joe Sears and Jaston Williams (assisted by more than 40 lightning-quick costume changes), once again portray all 20 characters: men, women, children and animals. This multi-award winning comedy is a funny, loving portrait of rural America — big hearts, small minds and all.

Tony Award Nominee Joe Sears and Jaston Williams have been touring extensively with the Tuna productions for the past 20 years. Their 29-year stage partnership has outlasted the comic duos of Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, and Martin and Lewis. The two first met and worked together at San Antonio’s First Repertory Company.

The performance times for GREATER TUNA in TPAC’s Polk Theater are Sept. 10-22 are 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Ticket prices range from $15-40, depending upon performance times and seat locations. For tickets, visit the TPAC Box Office Downtown or Davis-Kidd Booksellers, online at www.tpac.org, or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 615/255-2787.

For information on group discounts for 20 or more call TPAC Group Sales at 615/782-4060. For additional information, please visit your friends in Tuna atwww.GreaterTuna.com.

When attending a performance in Polk Theater or Johnson Theater, you must enter the building on Deaderick Street, near 5th Avenue.

If you park to the east, north or south you will avoid a long walk around the exterior construction zone.