TUNA DOES VEGAS; Written by Joe Sears, Jaston Williams & Ed Howard; Directed by Ed Howard. Curran Theatre, 445 Geary St, San Francisco, CA; (415) 512-7770 or www. www.shnsf.com. June 17 – June 28, 2008
COLORFUL, RIOTOUS FUN
“Tuna Does Vegas” is the fourth installment of duo Joe Sears & Jaston Williams playing all the characters from, Greater Tuna. It began 27 years ago with “Greater Tuna”, followed by “A Tuna Christmas” and “Red, White & Tuna.” This new installment has most of the eccentrics from Greater Tuna, that “third smallest town in Texas” with some delicious new denizens found in that City of Sin, Las Vegas.
As with the other shows, the fun begins with Arles Struvie and Thurston Willis, announcers on radio station OKKK. Just for the record, Arlis (Jaston Williams) the skinny one married to big ( Joe Sears)Bertha Bumiller, are going to go to Las Vegas to renew their weeding vows. You just do not broadcast that sort of thing over the radio. Before long, penurious Big Pearl Burras, gun-tottin’ Didi Snavely, Vera Carp president of the Smut-Snatchers of the New Order, Petey Fisk of Geater Tuna Humane Society, Joe Bob Lipsy, failed musical comedy producer, and the two waitresses, Inita Goodwin and Helen Bedd at the Tastee Crème Diner are all heading to Las Vegas.
Describing the hilarity as Sears and Williams change costumes and morph into their characters defies description, must be seen to be believed and pitch perfect in their individuality. The costumes (Linda Fisher) for the first act reflect the apparel of the Greater Tuna citizens, some of them being so over the top to generate their own laughter. Always pregnant Charlene Bumiller has one child hanging on her leg, another over her right shoulder and a baby under her left arm. The tight fitting, spotlessly clean, bright yellow uniforms for Inita and Helen are about to burst their seams as they sashay to 1970 music blaring from the radio. Before they land in La Vegas, there is a side-splitting scene of Big Pearl and snobbish Vera sharing seats on a plane, replete with slapstick, sick sound effects and enough lighting changes to carry you into the second act.
Mr. Sears and Mr. Williams after playing all the eclectic citizens, men & women, of this Texas town now have the chance to play Vegas showgirls and even act as Elvis impersonators in outrageous dress. Penurious Pearl wins the jackpot and becomes a big spender. Vera, horrors if the Smut-Snatchers find out, is a compulsive gambler. Failed musical comedy producer Joe Bob becomes Las Vegas producer genius using female impersonators to act as female impersonators(??). Gun aficionado Didi Snavely is great as a singing showgirl and animal lover Petey Fisk rescues an injured peacock. The waitresses wear showgirl costumes to die for, and the costumes of Sears and Williams as Elvis impersonators is worth the price of the ticket.
Running time 2 hours and 5 minutes with an intermission.
Courtesy of TheatreWorld Internet Magazine.
http://members.aol.com/mouseuk/stage/usa.htm
