#ed howard

REVIEW: “Greater Tuna” at the Ghent Playhouse

by Macey Levin Greater Tuna is the first of four plays about the third smallest town in Texas.  It was first performed in 1981 in Austin, Texas, and arrived Off-Broadway in 1982.  Since then it has played literally all over the country and is now at The Ghent Playhouse in Ghent, New York.  But maybe it should retire. Written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, using two actors to portray…

Confetti Stage Announces Auditions for “A Tuna Christmas”

Confetti Stage is excited to continue its tradition of hilarious Christmas shows at the Linda with A Tuna Christmas, by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard, and directed by J.J. Buechner! The second in a series of self-contained plays featuring the irreverent residents of a fictional town in Texas named Tuna, these holiday hijinks (which include lawn display contests, cranky gunshop owners,…

“Greater Tuna” to open the 43rd Season at the Ghent Playhouse

Greater Tuna, written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard will open at the Ghent Playhouse October 6 and run 3 weeks through October 22, 2017.  This production will be directed by Brian Wagner who appeared in last year’s season opener, The 39 Steps.  Brian chose to direct this gem because – it’s a laugh a minute riot that will send audiences out into the chilly evening with a smile on…

Ghent Playhouse Announces Auditions for “Greater Tuna”

The Ghent Playhouse announces auditions for GREATER TUNA, written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, and directed by Brian Wagner. Auditions:         Monday, June 5 and Tuesday, June 6, 2017 Sign-in at 7:00 p.m. – Auditions will begin at 7:15 p.m. THE GHENT PLAYHOUSE 6 Town Hall Place (Adjacent to the Ghent Firehouse off Route 66) Ghent, New York Rehearsals:     The rehearsal schedule…

MaviBahçe Kerem Görsev’i Ağırlıyor

Türkiye’deki caz müziğini dünyaya tanıtan sanatçılarımızdan Kerem Görsev, MaviBahçe’de 19 Ağustos Cuma günü saat 21.00’de bir konser verecek. Mavibahçe Kent Meydanı’nda gerçekleşecek Kerem Görsev TRIO Konseri ücretsiz olacak. Sanata ve sanatçıya her zaman değer verdiklerini belirten MaviBahçe yetkilileri, önümüzdeki günlerde İzmirliler’in beğenisini kazanacak farklı etkinlikler düzenleyeceklerini…

August 15, 1985

GREATER TUNA is a two act comedy written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard. The play is a satiric but affectionate look at small-town Southern life in the (fictional) town of Tuna, Texas. The play is constructed so that two can men play the entire cast of over twenty eccentric characters of both genders and various ages, although the authors concede that the play could be performed by more than two people, to lesser effect.  

GREATER TUNA debuted in Austin, Texas, in the fall of 1981, and had its off-Broadway premiere in 1982, both times starring authors Williams and Sears and directed by Howard.  National and international tours (see below) followed. An HBO special produced by Norman Lear was aired in 1984. By 1985, GREATER TUNA was the most-produced play in the United States. A videotaped performance of the play is available on DVD.  

On the heels of the show's success, the authors created several sequels: A Tuna Christmas (1989), Red White & Tuna (1998), and Tuna Does Vegas (2008).  

GREATER TUNA was presented at the Edinburgh International Festival (Scotland) at the Ballroom of the Assembly Theatre Ltd.  It starred creators Jaston Williams and Joe Sears and was directed by Ed Howard.

“Good morning, Tuna!”  

By 1985 I was aware of the hilarity that was GREATER TUNA. My home-taped video of the HBO special was already beginning to show signs of wear.  What a surprise to find them live onstage in Scotland during my visit.  I was living in London at the time and wanted to ‘train up’ for the Festival even though I had very little money and just as little time.  I treated myself and stayed in the posh station hotel and targeted six or seven shows to see in one weekend (this is possible at the Festival).  I loved Edinburgh, but I can honestly say that it was the first time I felt like I'd rather be in my room sleeping than trekking to another basement or field to see a show.  I ended up skipping some I had already paid for but I didn't miss TUNA – the main attraction.  

This was the only time I saw GREATER TUNA – the original play with the original cast – live.  I later traveled to Washington DC to see the boys in A Tuna Christmas and Red White & Tuna.  Although the small-town humor seems overly familiar today, the genius of the shows is the original stars, Williams and Sears.  They bring a truth and honesty that makes the satire three dimensional. From performing the shows relentlessly on tour, they also know every character nuance and how to milk a laugh with a simple glance or gesture.  They created these characters and they literally inhabit them.  The plays utilize costumes and wigs, but no props or sets (except for a couple of chairs, a table, and a radio). Despite the lightning fast costume changes, a visit to TUNA is much more than just a quick change act.  

My time at the Edingburgh Festival was brief, but at least I have the cherished memory of visiting Texas's third smallest town – some 4,500 miles away!  

Chicago Beats Las Vegas to Head to LLWS Championship

The underdogs ruled the day in the Little League World Series as Chicago beat Las Vegas 7-5 in a shocking upset in the Little League World Series on Saturday.

Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West made headlines prior to the win as the only team to feature an all African American squad. While they lost to Vegas in their previous matchup, Chicago was ready for the rematch.

Chicago’s pitcher Joshua…