Dallas Review: Garland Civic Theatre Presents “A Tuna Christmas”
Shawn Stalter, Chief Dallas/Ft. Worth Critic
The holidays are here and ‘tis the season to trek to the wacky backwoods town of Tuna, Texas, to pay homage to its delightful array of larger-than-life citizens. Fortunately, there’s no need to thumb your way there as Garland Civic Theatre provides the necessary transportation in their hilarious, high-energy performance of “A Tuna Christmas.”
Written by a trio of Ed Howard, Joe Sears and Jaston Williams, “A Tuna Christmas” gives a voyeur’s eye view into the lamentable lives of the inhabitants of the fictional town of Tuna as they prepare to endure another holiday season. Here, an ongoing parade of unique personalities, played by only two actors, fills the stage over the course of two acts. Characters including the rural disc jockey at radio station OKKK, “Arles Struvie,” the chain-smoking, raspy-voiced owner of the town’s used weapons store, “Didi Snavely,” the dimwitted animal conservationist, “Petey Fisk,” and many other inhabitants eager for the results of Tuna’s annual yard display contest.
Under Cheryl Pellett’s expert direction, Garland Civic Theatre’s production of “A Tuna Christmas” serves up big laughs and ample portions of well-timed satire. It’s a show that unabashedly showcases the backward, yet loveable, people of Tuna, Texas, and does an exceptional job of breathing life into their quirky personalities. Undoubtedly though, this show’s success is built on the actors’ abilities to deliver costume and character changes in a high-tempo, rapid-fire environment. In this regard, Garland Civic Theatre’s show delivers in a big way.
Together, the two-man cast of David Tinney and Chris Robinson portrayed no less than twenty-two distinct characters over the course of the play’s two acts. Their energy and focus kept the show’s breakneck pace at speed and infused Tuna with robust, three-dimensional citizens. The raw talent needed to pull off this theatrical feat is immense, yet neither actor let the demands of the show put a strain on their performance. Both were clearly having a great time on stage and it came across to the audience in a powerful way. David Tinney‘s well-honed physical comedy and robust stage presence meshed seamlessly with Chris Robinson’s expressive face and voice changes to yield some exceptional, laugh-out-loud entertainment.
Chris Robinson’s portrayal of the overbearing, rough-around-the-edges, swaggering “Didi Snavely” was absolutely hilarious and had the audience doubled over with laughter. Similarly, David Tinney’s delivery of “Bertha Bumiller,” the downtrodden housewife and member of the evangelical “Smut Catchers of the New Order,” brought down the house. Seeing these two characters alone is worth the price of admission. However, audiences were also treated to a non-stop influx of Tuna’s other inhabitants, including “Vera Carp,” the town snob and the clear favorite to win the town’s annual lawn decoration contest; “Joe Bop Lipsey,” the director of the town’s troubled local theatre offering the wayward son, “Stanley Bumiller” his chance at probation, and many more.
Although the fictional town of Tuna, Texas is far-removed from the Dallas suburb of Garland, it hit a home run with this Texas audience.
“A TUNA CHRISTMAS”
Garland Civic Theatre’s production of “A Tuna Christmas” is directed by Cheryl Pellett and runs through December 22nd, 2019 at the Granville Arts Center. The show stars David Tinney and Chris Robinson and features costuming courtesy of Kerra Sims, sound design from Brittany Mantsch and lighting courtesy of Elizabeth Pellett.
Reserve your seat for an upcoming performance of Garland Civic Theatre’s production of “A Tuna Christmas” by visiting Garlandarts.com or by calling 972-205-2790.
Photo Credit: Cheryl Pellett