Spring Break
Christmas turkey or Christmas tuna?
Derek Campbell
Issue date: 11/10/08 Section: Culture
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The play "A Tuna Christmas" by Jaston Williams is a comedic story that chronicles the annual less-than typical small town Christmas celebration.
"Tuna," as the press release explains, "is the third smallest town in Texas, where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies."
The interacting stories of 22 male and female characters played by two men (Jim J. Bullock and John-Michael Zuerlein) unfold into a slapstick physical comedy with a lot of spunk and wit to spare.
This quirky play begins in a local radio station with Tuna's biggest celebrities, deejays Thurston Wheelis (Bullock) and Arles Struvie (Zuerlein), catching the town up on the latest news and upcoming events.
New characters are slowly introduced during the broadcast as the audience learns the most compelling part of the plot: a status-gaining Christmas yard decorating contest.
Bullock, best known for his role as Monroe Ficus on the hit 1980s ABC show, "Too Close for Comfort," began performing at AHT 20 years ago in the show "The Mousetrap" by Agatha Christie. His high energy and voice manipulation talents had the audience rolling with laughter throughout the entire production.
In a two-man show, each actor is only as strong as his counter-part, and Zuerlein definitely solidified this performance.
From a teenage terror with an attitude to a senior citizen in an ornery mood, his quick transitions between these characters propelled the show in many places where the audience could have easily been lost.
Though the technical crew is never seen on-stage to change scene composition, the set proves to have a functionally sound construction, particularly in accordance to the frequent costume changes Bullock and Zuerlein must complete.
The set includes a simple table and chairs, radio and a main piece that has rotating elements and doors to help construct new 'locations' for each scene.
Christmas trees rotate onto the stage and function as a sort of marker with each new home into which the audience is invited.
The way the trees are decorated acts as a reflective, symbolic prop showing the existing condition characters face throughout the play.
Though the content of the play is rated PG by AHT, the humor and jokes may not be understood by a younger crowd.
This play is written for an audience familiar with older pop culture references that even some college students may not recognize.
But no matter your age, "A Tuna Christmas" is an enjoyable experience with two very talented actors, and should give you a laugh or two for your holiday season.
If you would like to check out "A Tuna Christmas" for yourself, the play runs through Dec. 28 at American Heartland Theatre in Crown Center.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ahtkc.com or by contacting the box office at (816) 842-9999.
dcampbell@unews.com
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