BWW Preview: A TUNA CHRISTMAS at Washington County Playhouse Dinner Theater
By: Johnna Leary Nov. 18, 2016
Small towns are a staple of many holiday stories. But if you're tired of visiting Bedford Falls this Christmas season, stop in at the Washington County Playhouse Dinner Theater and spend Christmas in Tuna, Texas, the third smallest town in Texas, as the holidays kick off with their production of A Tuna Christmas.
In this hysterical sequel to last year's hit Greater Tuna, A Tuna Christmas, directed by Scott Ruble, is the holiday special featuring the yuletide activities of the colorful characters in the small southern town of Tuna, Texas. Two actors, Shawn Nakia and Steve Steele, play over a dozen different roles as Texas citizens participating in seasonal activities, such as the fiercely competitive lawn decorations contest and a community theater production of A Christmas Carol.Both actors return to play the roles they originally created in Greater Tuna last year at the Washington County Playhouse Dinner Theater.
"Without a doubt, I loved being reunited with my Tuna cohort, Shawn Nakia. Doing a show with only two actors requires a level of confidence and trust in your fellow actor not normally required in shows with a larger cast. You have to know that the one person on stage with you is going to know his stuff and be there for you if things do happen to go off the rails. And I trust Shawn implicitly. I couldn't ask for a better guy to play all those Tuna denizens with me" said actor Steve Steele.
"In A Tuna Christmas, Shawn and I each play eleven different characters. Of those eleven, seven are characters that were originally introduced in Greater Tuna. I've found the biggest challenge to be getting back into some of those characters. Most of them were easy, but a couple of them were difficult to recreate for some reason. I've no doubt that some of the people who see A Tuna Christmas will be looking to reunite with their friends from Greater Tuna and will know if they've changed. And of course, we all change through the years" said Steele
"The biggest challenge was making sure the show was fresh and new while still giving the audience moments from the past" added director Scott Ruble.
The actors and fellow citizens of Tuna, Texas cannot wait to share the joy of A Tuna Christmas with audiences this holiday season.
"In addition to spending a few hours laughing (this is a funny show!), A Tuna Christmas will definitely help get you in the Christmas spirit. A Tuna Christmas does a great job mixing those heartwarming holiday moments with those holiday family shenanigans that often drive us all crazy. The result will really help you laugh your way into the holidays" said Steele.
"These actors and dressers work tirelessly to ensure the audience will have a knee slapping good time...and there is no doubt they will. With 2 actors, over 20 characters, 90 entrances and exits and Christmas - what more could you ask for?" said Ruble.
A Tuna Christmas runs November 18, 19, 25, 26 and December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17, with one Sunday matinee on December 4. Dinner hour will begin at 6:00 with the show shortly following at approximately 7:45 for evening performances and lunch hour for the matinee performances begins at 1:00 with the show following at approximately 2:30. For more information about the production or to make reservations, please call the box office at (301) 739-7469 or visit http://washingtoncountyplayhouse.com/
Photo Credit: Washington County Playhouse
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