Cape May Stage Presents ‘A Tuna Christmas’

CAPE MAY – It’s time to kick up your heels with “A Tuna Christmas,” the hilarious sequel to the hit comedy, “Greater Tuna.” In Cape May Stage’s holiday production of “A Tuna Christmas,” opening Nov. 23 and running through Dec. 30 at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse, director Marlena Lustik takes you through a hilarious 24-hour yuletide journey of 24 comical characters being performed by only two multi-talented actors.
“A Tuna Christmas” is the second in a three-part series of comedic plays (preceded by “Greater Tuna” and followed by “Red, White and Tuna” and “Tuna Does Vegas”), each set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas, the “third-smallest town” in the state. The trilogy, written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard, are at once an affectionate comment on small-town Southern life and attitudes, but also a withering satire of same. The plays are notable in that two men play the entire cast of over twenty eccentric characters of both genders and various ages. The first play, “Greater Tuna,” debuted in 1981 in Austin; “A Tuna Christmas” debuted in 1989.
The amusing plot of “A Tuna Christmas” centers on the town’s annual Christmas Yard Display Contest, won 14 times in a row by Vera Carp. A mysterious “Christmas Phantom,” known for vandalizing the yard displays, threatens to throw the contest into turmoil. Among the subplots are Stanley Bumiller’s attempts to end his probation and leave Tuna, Bertha Bumiller trying to hold her family together at Christmastime, and Joe Bob Lipsey’s struggle to successfully mount his production of “A Christmas Carol” despite numerous vexations and obstacles.
The talented and versatile two-person cast in this production are New York-based actors Turner Crumbley (“Red, White & Tuna,” “The 39 Steps,” “The SantaLand Diaries,” “Sweet Charity”) and Jody Cook (“Silk Stockings,” “Greater Tuna,” “Damn Yankees,” “Dirty Blonde”). It is directed by off-Broadway’s Marlena Lustik (“The Cherry Orchard,” “Uncle Vanya,” “The Seagull”). Costumes are being designed by notable Broadway costumer, Robert J. Martin (“Evita,” “9 to 5,” “Young Frankenstein”).
Two actors. Twelve days of Christmas. Twenty-four hilarious characters to put a jingle in your sleigh. Stuff your stocking with a Tuna surprise this holiday season!
“A Tuna Christmas” will run from Fri., Nov. 23 to Sun., Dec. 30; Thur. through Sat. evenings at 8 p.m. and Sat. and Sun. matinees at 3 p.m. at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at 405 Lafayette Street in downtown Cape May. Tickets are $35 adults, $30 seniors (62+), and $15 students. The show runs for two hours with intermission.
Fri., Nov. 23 is the official opening and press night; Thur., Dec. 6 is Pay-What-You-Can Night; Sun., Dec. 9 is a Half-Price Senior matinee, with half-price tickets for Seniors 62+. Following the Nov. 23 opening, all ticket holders are invited to join the opening night after-party at the Ebbitt Room at the Virginia Hotel, with the chance to mingle with the cast and crew.
Call (609) 884-1341 for reservations and information, or visit the theatre’s website at www.capemaystage.org.
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