GREATER TUNA
By Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard
Directed by Dusty Reeds
OPENING MAY 30 AT 8:30
and playing through JUNE 11
Produced by Brendan Ragotzy
A knee-slapping evening of down home fun!
The Barn Theatre opens its 61st season with the laugh-a-minute comedy GREATER TUNA playing May 30 – June 11. This livewire, outrageous comic satire launches into side-splitting amusement when the residents of the fictional south Texas town of Tuna come hysterically to life. We are taken on a guided tour of their quirks, foibles, and downright insanities. GREATER TUNA stars Joe Aiello and Scott Burkell portraying virtually the entire population of Tuna in a tour de farce of quick-change artistry, both of costumes and of comic characterizations. Between these two gifted actors, they portray 20 men and women and a dog! Joe Aiello and Scott Burkell are thrilled to bring back this colossal hit comedy which they first performed in 1986 at the Barn.
The play takes place in a day in the lives of these people. Conceived by Texas actors Joe Sears, Jaston Williams and director Ed Howard, GREATER TUNA began as a skit at a party and later expanded and was performed publicly in Texas. The Hartford Stage Company (Conn.) mounted the production in 1982. A few months later, it moved to New York’s Circle in the Square, where it became a long-running off-Broadway hit.
GREATER TUNA is directed by Dusty Reeds. Doug Blickle is Scenic Designer and Thomas J. Bernard has designed Costumes. Garrylee McCormick is Hair/Wig Designer. Properties are designed by James B. Knox and Lights are designed by Frank J. Vela. Bradford Chapin is Sound Designer. Technical Direction by Fred Gillette.
The Barn Theatre is located on M-96 West of Augusta. Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 PM, Saturday at 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM, and Sunday at 5:00 PM. Tickets are $29.00 each, any day, any performance. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. For tickets call (269) 731-4121. The box office is open daily from 10:00 am-10:00 pm. Group prices available.
Enjoy refreshments in The Rehearsal Shed Lounge with friends before, during intermission and after the show. Wings and Nachos in the Shed! Enjoy a light snack while being entertained by the free cabaret-style show in the Rehearsal Shed Lounge after the main stage performance. |
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CALENDAR NEWS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2006
NOW PLAYING: Opening the Barn’s 61st season will be the laugh-a-minute comedy GREATER TUNA playing May 30 – June 11. This livewire, outrageous comic satire launches into side-splitting amusement when the residents of the fictional south Texas town of Tuna come hysterically to life. We are taken on a guided tour of their quirks, foibles, and downright insanities. GREATER TUNA stars Joe Aiello and Scott Burkell portraying virtually the entire population of Tuna in a tour de farce of quick-change artistry, both of costumes and of comic characterizations. A knee-slapping evening of down home fun!
NEXT: Opening June 13 and playing through the 25 is the great Rodgers and Hammerstein classic American musical OKLAHOMA! Certainly one of the most well known musicals, the story revolves around the high-spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys where Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, live and eventually fall in love. It bursts with a zeal that thrills audiences, from the crisp electrifying energy of the Overture through its legendary hits: “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin',” “Surrey With the Fringe on Top,” “People Will Say We’re in Love”, “Kansas City” and the show stopping title anthem. With all the loveable lively characters you remember ~ Ado Annie, Will Parker, Aunt Eller, Jud Fry, Ali Hakim and the rest, bring the whole family to this spirited show that changed the American musical forever.
COMING SOON: What’s the summer without a patriotic celebration on and around the 4th of July? Opening June 27 and playing through July 9 is the lively musical 1776. It's the summer of 1776 and the nation is ready to declare independence…if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! America’s Prize Winning Musical recreates the momentous days between May 8 and July 4 when the second Continental Congress created and signed the Declaration of Independence. Bring the kids to this beautifully explored lesson of American history -- 1776 puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the men behind the national icons.
The Barn Theatre Located on M-96 1 mile west of the village of Augusta.
Box Office Phone 269 731-4121 Open daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Performance times Tuesday through Friday at 8:30pm
Saturday (2 shows) 6:00pm & 9:00 pm
Sunday 5:00pm (8:30 Added performance, if applicable)
Ticket Prices $29.00 Each. Any day, any performance.
Visa and MasterCard Accepted
Group rates available (10 tickets or more)
Professional Equity resident summer theatre. Our 61st season
Listed on the Michigan Register of Historic Sites – Free and easy parking
Air-conditioned Theatre and Restrooms handicapped accessible.
Enjoy refreshments and a light snack in the Rehearsal Shed Lounge with friends before, during intermission and after the show. WINGS AND NACHOS in the Rehearsal Shed! Free cabaret-style entertainment follows main stage performances.
Brendan Ragotzy, Producer
Cast list
JOE AIELLO
Joe returns to the Barn after celebrating his 25th season last summer with acclaimed performances as Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and Harold in THE FULL MONTY as well as returning to a role he originated at the Barn, the infamous Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW. Season after season Joe has demonstrated his talent and versatility with such varied roles as Daddy Warbucks in ANNIE, Lee in TRUE WEST, Albin/Zaza in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, Arthur in CAMELOT, Mozart in AMADEUS, Gallimard in M. BUTTERFLY, and Nathan Detroit in GUYS AND DOLLS. A gifted director as well, Joe has earned accolades for his Barn treatments of CABARET, SHE LOVES ME, CHESS, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, CRIMES OF THE HEART, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, LOST IN YONKERS, STEELMAGNOLIAS, SWEENEY TODD, and BAT BOY (the latter two co-directed with Scott Burkell). Joe lives in New York City where he is Director of Sales for Match-Tix Group Sales and Promotions and co-owner of Allied/Hit-Tix, Inc.
SCOTT BURKELL
Scott comes back for a 24th summer after another eventful year in New York. Scott and Barnie Paul Loesel’s brand-new musical treatment of Mark Dunn’s popular novel ELLA MINNOW PEA just had a major reading this spring and over the winter Scott staged Barnie Marin Mazzie’s solo cabaret show at Feinstein’s Supper Club. Burkell/Loesel songs have become increasingly in-demand by such B’way performers as Rebecca Luker, Susan Egan, Kristin Chenoweth, and Marin Mazzie, who recorded two selections with husband and fellow actor Jason Daniely for their recently released “Opposite You” album. Scott played in both the Broadway and First National Tour companies of TITANIC. Here in Augusta, his career has been unforgettable. Some faves include Molina in KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, Georg (opposite Marin Mazzie) in SHE LOVES ME, Felix in THE ODD COUPLE, Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and perhaps his all-time gem, Riff-Raff in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (including last-season’s closing production). Also last year Scott acted in LI’L ABNER (Marryin’ Sam), THE GRADUATE, HAIR, THE FULL MONTY (Malcolm), and directed our hit revival of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Visit www.scottburkell.net
