The day in Tuna, the third smallest town in Texas, begins—as usual—with Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie at the microphones of Radio OKKK, broadcasting at a big 275 watts (at least when they remember to turn the transmitter on). Topping the headlines is the winning entry in the American Heritage Essay Contest, entitled “Human Rights, Why Bother?” Then, Arles exits, and in comes Didi Snavely of Didi’s Used Guns; she leaves and gives way to weatherman Harold Dean Lattimer: “We have this swarm of locusts that are headin’ our way from Louisiana, but we figure the dust will kill a lot of ’em, and the rest’ll probably get blown away or drown in this tropical storm that’s headin’ our way from the coast.”And the comedy continues, from Petey Fisk of the Humane Society talking about the duck problem and Yippy, the Pet of the Week to Phineas Blye, perpetual losing candidate for city council announcing he’s running again and revealing his plan to tax prisoners: “It would be easy, ’cause everyone knows where they are.” Of course, a day isn’t complete without the high school football report from Coach Raymond Chassie, who explains why his football team lost 48-0: “We lost mainly because we couldn’t score.”
And so the day continues, as Tuna’s citizens parade across the stage in all their outrageous and irreverent glory, commenting on life, politics, and what makes them (and sometimes us) tick.
Circle Theatre – a Romantic Comedy by John Cariana February 10 – 26, 2017
Love / Sick by John Cariani (who wrote Almost, Maine performed at CTC 2008-09) is so new it is not yet published. The work by actor/playwright John Cariani (who is currently playing Nigel Bottom on Broadway in Something Rotten), Love/Sick is ten vignettes about love in the style of the much-loved and oft performed Almost, Maine. Cariani describes it as the darker side of Almost, Maine, but prefers another’s description: “An imperfect romance for imperfect lovers and dreamers.”
Luna Gale by Rebecca Gilman runs February 21-25 2016
Caroline, a veteran social worker, thinks she has a typical case on her hands when she meets Peter and Karlie, two teenage drug addicts accused of neglecting their baby. But when she places their infant daughter in the care of Karlie’s mother, Caroline sparks a family conflict that exposes a shadowy, secretive past—and forces her to make a risky decision with potentially disastrous consequences. Powerful and arresting, Luna Gale is a heartbreaking and unforgettable tale of love and betrayal.
Dewey Frye is dead and the rest of his family is left to pick up the pieces…that is if they don’t kill each other first. Not only does matriarch Dorothy have to contend with sudden widowhood, but she’s also faced with church committee harpy Ozella Meeks sticking her nose in the family business, Dewey’s snake-in-the-grass brother making a grab for her house, and two grown daughters reliving their childhood rivalry. Funerals bring out the worst, the best, and the funniest in people….and the Fryes are no exception. Penned by the duo of Osborne and Eppier, “Southern Fried Funeral” is a big-hearted comedy about family…Southern-style.
Performance dates are Feb. 23-25 and March 2-4.
In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway… and forever changed the landscape of American theatre. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s RENT continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world. And now, this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning masterpiece returns to the stage in a vibrant 20th anniversary touring production. A re-imagining of Puccini’s La Bohème, RENT follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters—love.
Based on Playboy of the Western World. To an untidy little country saloon on a wild coast of Mayo, in Ireland, there comes a shy, frightened youth, Christy Mayo, with a tale of having killed his cruel father, with a single blow of a spade, a week ago on a distant farm. He is fleeing the police, and is accepted by Michael James, the publican, and his pretty but tart-tongued daughter, Pegeen, as a hero whom it would be well to hire as pot-boy.
East Brainerd Community Theater presents Steel Magnolias, March16-19 at Christ United Methodist Church on East Brainerd Rd. Times: March 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30. Matinees March 18 and 19 at 2:30. Tickets just $10!
Based on his own experience growing up in rural Natchitoches, Louisiana, Robert Harling’s landmark play “Steel Magnolias” explores the bonds between six women at a beauty salon. Harling based his play on the death of his sister, Susan, from complications related to diabetes. Combining light-hearted comedy and quirky characters with a serious, heart-rending storyline, Steel Magnolias has appealed to audiences both onstage and in its popular 1989 film adaptation. It has been translated into seventeen languages and has been produced across the world.
Dalton Little Theatre is continuing the tradition of showcasing four one-act plays in one entertainment-filled evening! This year’s plays include 3 locally-written dramas and a previously published comedy.
Performances are March 17, 18, 24, and 25 at 7 pm and March 19 at 2 pm. For tickets, visit daltonlittletheatre.com OR call (706) 226-6618. Tickets will also be sold at the door.
Smoke on the Mountain tells the story of a Saturday Night Gospel Sing at a country church in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains in 1938. The show features two dozen rousing bluegrass songs played and sung by the Sanders Family, a traveling group making its return to performing after a five-year hiatus.Pastor Oglethorpe, the young and enthusiastic minister of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, has enlisted the Sanders Family in his efforts to bring his tiny congregation into “the modern world.” Between songs, each family member “witnesses” — telling a story about an important event in their life. Though they try to appear perfect in the eyes of a congregation who wants to be inspired by their songs, one thing after another goes awry and they reveal their true — and hilariously imperfect – natures. By the evening’s end, the Sanders Family have endeared themselves to us by revealing their weaknesses and allowing us to share in their triumphs.
From the first notes to the final breath, West Side Story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. The world’s greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical that is one of the theatre’s finest accomplishments. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is transported to 1950’s New York City as two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the “American” Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.
*School Matinee available at 9am! Reservations available by email @ closeddoorentertainment@gm