Barter Theatre Presents A Tuna Christmas 11/23

Beginning November 23, spend some time laughing with the wacky characters of Tuna, TX, in Barter Theatre's upcoming production "A Tuna Christmas." Two actors, Sean Campos and Nicholas Piper, play the twenty-three residents of the town. "A Tuna Christmas" will be presented at Barter Stage II through December 26.

The second play in the Tuna series, "A Tuna Christmas" has been sending folks into a fit of laughter since 1989. "The play is a sequel, but only in the sense that it did come after 'Greater Tuna,' said Richard Rose, producing artistic director. "A Tuna Christmas is a stand alone piece and works well, even if you have not seen the first."

The small town of Tuna (the third-smallest town in TX to be exact) has a lot going on this time of year. There's always the annual OKKK Christmas Yard Display Contest, Tuna's Little Theatre holiday production, the sales at Didi Snavely's Used Weapons Shop and Leonard's Let-the-Stops-Out Christmas Shopping Spree. Leonard Childress says, "If you can't find it at Leonard's, you're too picky."

Local radio personalities, Thurston Whellis and Arles Struvie, are keepin' folks up-to-date on all the holiday happenings in Tuna. As the delirious duo announced recently, Vera Carp is leading the Christmas Yard Display Contest, but how long will Vera's lead last with the Christmas Phantom on the loose?

"Not only is the story line hilarious," said Mary Lucy Bivins, the director, "a lot of the fun comes from watching the scope of the actors. They both play men and women of various ages. The surprises in 'A Tuna Christmas,' or the tuna surprise, is really going to be a delicious holiday treat for audiences. And the best thing? It's non-fat!"

"It's been exciting to find these characters in rehearsal," said Piper. "Sean Campos and I must discover who the characters are, what their voices sound like, as well as each characters' physicality. Then, we must find out how to click into them in seconds," said Piper.

Characters Arles (Campos) and Thurston (Piper) will be tweeting their "personal" thoughts throughout the run of "A Tuna Christmas." "This is one new way Barter Theatre is connecting with the audience, said Danielle Goodrich, director of marketing for Barter. "We noticed that some television shows are allowing their fans a backstage pass through character tweeting," said Goodrich. "Both Sean and Nicholas have taken to the idea and we are all very excited to see what the characters are going to tweet," said Goodrich. Follow Thurston and Arles at www.twitter.com/ArlesStruvie and www.twitter.com/ThurstonWhellis .

In the spirit of the season, Barter is proudly partnering with Feeding America Southwest Virginia for "It's a Wonderful Cause," a food drive through December 26. "During the entire run of the holiday shows," added Goodrich, "Barter will collect food and money to give to the organization, formerly known as the Southwest Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank. Community involvement is very important to us at Barter Theatre and we know the Food Bank to be a deserving organization." Feeding America Southwest Virginia services 26 counties and 10 cities. To participate in "It's a Wonderful Cause," bring non-perishable food items to either Barter Theatre or Barter Stage II.

In addition to "A Tuna Christmas," Barter Theatre is producing "It's a Wonderful Life," a Richard Rose adaptation of the Frank Capra film, and The Barter Players is presenting a brand new holiday children's story, "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth."

Other Abingdon holiday events include the Abingdon Christmas Parade, set for December 4th at 11 a.m. Myra Cook, director of tourism for the town said, "It is really special this year because following the parade, we will have a free story time for children, featuring 'The Polar Express.' A heated tent will be set up on the lawn of the Fields-Penn House and Santa will visit after the story." For more information on Abingdon holiday events, visit www.abingdon.com.

For Barter Theatre ticket information, call 276.628.3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. Follow Barter Theatre on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. Barter Theatre is funded in part by the VCA and the NEA. "A Tuna Christmas" is sponsored by BB&T, Central Coal Company, My Tri-Cities TV, WAPK 36, The Loafer Rock 102.5 and the Elizabethton Star.

 

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