All New GREATER TUNA Directed by Jaston Williams Comes to Eisemann 4/21-22

GREATER TUNA, the hilarious hit comedy about the third smallest town in Texas where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies, is coming back to the Eisemann Center in Richardson, Texas, this time with Co-Creator Jaston Williams sitting in the Director's chair. Performances take place on Friday, April 21 at 8:00 pm and Saturday, April 22 at 2:00 and 8:00 pm.

Although written and first performed over thirty 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 comedy in GREATER TUNA 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 KKK, Petey Fisk argues for animal rights, and a celebrity murder is on the front page. UFO sightings? A fat, overbearing talk show host? Celebrity murder? It's not the cover of Time Magazine, it's GREATER TUNA and it's hilarious!

With its humble beginnings at a Sixth Street cabaret in Austin, Texas in 1981, GREATER TUNA came from the minds of master comedians Jaston Williams and Joe Sears, along with original director Ed Howard as the imaginative authors who parlayed the sketch into the critically acclaimed production which has entertained audiences across the country ever since.

Co-Creator Jaston Williams will direct this all new tour starring the fresh talent of Ryan Bailey, Tim Leavon and Will Mercer. Assisted by lightning-quick costume changes, the actors will portray all twenty-one 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.

According to Williams, "One of the things I am proudest of was GREATER TUNA being named Play of the Century by Texas Monthly. Some people tend to think of the shows as an act for Joe Sears and myself, but the reality is that GREATER TUNA is a seriously constructed play produced all over the country with other actors. I can say, I know these characters when I see them and I see them in this wonderful cast we have decided to work with."

This fresh new take on GREATER TUNA reunites several of the original design team to include costumes by Broadway designer Linda Fisher and sound design by Ken Huncovsky. The creative team is rounded out with lighting design by Ovation Award winner Luke Moyer and scenic design by Kennedy Center Fellowship recipient Travis Clark.

Performances are April 21 and 22 at 8:00 pm and April 22 at 2:00 pm. Tickets may be purchased online at www.eisemanncenter.com, by telephone or in person. For more information, call the Eisemann Center Ticket Office, at 972-744-4650. The Ticket Office is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm and one hour prior to curtain for all events. Group discounts are available.

The Eisemann Center is a City of Richardson facility located in the Galatyn Park Urban Center at 2351 Performance Drive in Richardson, Texas. Eisemann Center Presents 2016-2017 Season sponsors include Methodist Richardson Medical Center, the University of Texas at Dallas School of Arts & Humanities and media partners The Dallas Morning News, WFAA-TV and WRR Classical 101.1 FM. Additional support provided by Altrusa International of Richardson, Texas, Inc., Richardson East Rotary Club and Raising Cane's.

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