The Gallery Players presents A TUNA CHRISTMAS 12/6 - 12/21

Following up on the extended musical hit Like You like It, Brooklyn's Premier Off-Off Broadway company rings in the holidays with the affectionate satire of small-town southern life, "A Tuna Christmas." Bring the whole family down to The Gallery Players for this limited holiday engagement December 6-21, 2008!

In this hilarious sequel to Greater Tuna, it's Christmas in the third smallest town in Texas. Radio station OKKK news personalities Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie report on various Yuletide activities, including hot competition in the annual lawn display contest. In other news, the voracious Joe Bob Lipsey's production of A Christmas Carol is jeopardized by unpaid electric bills. Many colorful Tuna denizens, some you will recognize from Greater Tuna join in the holiday fun. Audiences who have and who have not seen Greater Tuna will enjoy this laugh filled evening. A Tuna Christmas has been called, "A hoot!" by The New York Times, and the NY Post exclaimed, "So funny it could make a raccoon laugh affectionately at Davy Crockett.... It's far too good for just Christmas."

"I remembered our local theater back in Indiana doing all the Tuna plays and thought to myself, 'why not return to this tiny Texas town for a spell?'" says director Andrew K. Russell. "I forgot how funny the plays were and then re-read this script and couldn't stop myself from laughing out loud. The challenge of directing two actors playing over 20 roles was also appealing."

Mr. Russell directs performers Justin Barnette* and Brian Letchworth in hilarious fast-paced portrayals of twenty some-odd lively characters from Tuna, Texas. "I've enjoyed working on this show and with these characters. "A Tuna Christmas" is a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit and a show with a whole lot of laughs. The Gallery Players is a wonderfully intimate space, so I think audiences will get a chance to see all the specific choices these actors are making. We are taking a few chances…I won't give you any specifics...you will just have to come and see!"

"A Tuna Christmas" is produced by Robin Mishik-Jett for The Gallery Players. Associate Producer is Graham Mills. Creative team includes: Director: Andrew K. Russell, Production Stage Manager: Erika Omundson*, Set Designer: Edward Morris, Costume Designer: Dawn Luna, Lighting Designer: Maureen Hanratty, Props Master: Nicole Gaignat and Sound Designer: Mat Bussler. *appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association

The Gallery Players' limited holiday engagement of "A Tuna Christmas" runs December 6-21, 2008: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm and Sundays at 3pm.

Tickets to "A Tuna Christmas" are $18, $14 for Senior Citizens and children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased by calling TheaterMania at (212) 352-3101, or online at www.galleryplayers.com. The Gallery Players is located at 199 14th St., between 4th and 5th Aves. in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Take the F Train to 4th Ave. or the R Train to 9th Street. By car: BQE to Hamilton Avenue to 14th Street.

A New York institution since 1967, The Gallery Players has served actors and audiences alike for more than 4 decades by showcasing burgeoning new talent and offering a home base for theater professionals. Its eclectic programming of intimate revivals and ambitious new work in inventive productions has earned it the reputation of "New York's Best Kept Secret." The Gallery Players is the recipient of the Off-Off Broadway Review's 2000 Award for Lifetime Achievement and was the recipient of New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical in both 2007 & 2008 for their productions of Urinetown! the musical and Yank! A New Musical. Among its famous alumni are founding member Harvey Fierstein; Broadway regulars Nancy Anderson, Jeffry Denman and Diedre Goodwin; New York theater personality Seth Rudetsky and many others.

Still to come in The Gallery Players' 2008 - 2009 season: the roaring 1920's hit Thoroughly Modern Millie January 31 – February 22nd, 2009, William Inge's classic Bus Stop March 14-29 2009, and the season closes with The Who's Tommy May 2-24, 2009.

www.galleryplayers.com

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