Following an exceptionally popular production of “My Way” which ran from July 11 through this past weekend, The Depot Theatre 2014 season continues with “Greater Tuna”, an absurdly funny “comedy about the small town morals and mores” in Texas’ 3rd smallest town, yes, a town called Tuna.

“Greater Tuna” opens tomorrow night and runs through August 17. The Depot’s production is directed by Texas native Chan Harris (Broadway Tours: “Evita”, “Big River”, “Into the Woods”) who also stars in the performance with Trip Plymale (Broadway: “The Robber Bridegroom”; Off-Broadway: “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”, “Music Man”).

Trip is a Depot veteran having first performed in “Damn Yankees” in 1997. Bonnie Brewer (of Depot and Pendragon fame) created the set, Margaret Swick is the lighting guru, and Sarah Overturf is the stage manager. In short this is an all-star team presenting an all-star script written by Jaston Williams, Ed Howard, and Joe Sears. Expect to laugh. A lot.

Here are a couple of blurbs from previous performances of “Greater Tuna”.

“The audience all but exploded the theatre with laughter.” (The New York Post)

“Hilarious, a tribute to the art of acting” (Washington Post)

“A whale of a funny evening” (Houston Post)

“Sharp, satiric, & funny” (New Yorker)

“Howlingly funny.” (Variety)

“Greater Tuna” Background

“Greater Tuna” is exactly the sort of uptempo comedy that has traditionally performed well at The Depot in the past. The energy level is cranked to the limit, the repartee is witty and accessible, and all artsy pretenses are left on the far side of the railroad tracks. Actors and audience become co-conspirator in gut busting adventure that leaves you chuckling for days.

Greater Tuna is the hilarious comedy about Texas’ third smallest town, where the Lion’s Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. The eclectic band of citizens that make up this town are portrayed by only two performers, making this satire on life in rural America even more delightful as they depict all of the inhabitants of Tuna — men, women, children and animals.

The show began as a simple party skit based on a political cartoon… [The] authors parlayed the sketch into a critically acclaimed production which has entertained audiences across the country ever since. (via Greater Tuna – Official Site)

A comedy “with legs” as they say. To give you a sense for the enduring humor that audiences discover in well staged performances of “Greater Tuna” consider its thirty-three year history.

Greater Tuna was originally produced in 1981 in Austin, Texas… One year after its premier, Greater Tuna opened Off-Broadway, ran for over a year and went on to tour major theatres all over America and spots overseas for the next thirty some years, and became one of the most produced plays in American theatre history… (via Greater Tuna – Samuel French)

This is your chance to enjoy the international success of “Greater Tuna” in your cozy, local professional theatre. You can purchase tickets for Greater Tuna online or by calling 518-962-4449.

Related articles

• Depot Theatre Announces 2014 Season (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Depot Theatre Welcomes Broadway Vet Jonathan Hadley as Interim Producing Director for 2014 Season (broadwayworld.com)