(OUTscene NW) RE-view: LTC's Greater Tuna is all about Character!

Horenstein and Schulz /Triumph

by MK Scott

Since I was in the Portland Area, I had to see my old pal, Jay Randell Horenstein, reprise most memorable and Iconic characters from the Cult Classic, 'Greater Tuna' playing on the Main stage at the Lakewood Theatre in Lake Oswego, OR. I attended the Friday, August 2nd performance to a full house, but mixed crowd.

According to Wiki, 'Greater Tuna' is the first in a series of 4 comedic plays (followed by A Tuna Christmas, Red, White and Tuna and Tuna Does Vegas), each set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas, the "third-smallest" town in the state. The series was written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard. The plays are at once an affectionate comment on small-town, Southern life and attitudes but also a withering satire of same. Of the four plays, Greater Tuna is the darkest in tone.

The plays are notable in that two men play the entire cast of over twenty eccentric characters of both genders and various ages. Greater Tuna debuted in Austin, Texas, in the fall of 1981, and had its off-Broadway premiere in 1982. St. Vincent Summer Theatre produced the play in 2000,and No Name Players produced it in 2002.

Charles H. Duggan produced national tours of "Greater Tuna", "A Tuna Christmas" and "Red, White & Tuna" for twenty-six years.

Back in 1989, the Famous Portland Civic Theatre, did a production of 'Tuna', and the Willamette Week, published photos of Horenstein as some of his iconic characters, like Didi Snavely (Owner of Didi's Used Weapons), Petey Fisk (Employee of the Greater Tuna Humane Society), and the Bible thumping Vera Carp (Town snob and vice president of the Smut-Snatchers of the New Order). Horenstein plays a total 12 Characters and looks great.

Joining Horenstein is Portland Character Actor, Gary Brickner-Schulz, who plays 11

Characters with Bertha Bumiller (neglected wife and and member of the Smut Snatchers of the New Order), Sheriff Givens- (The deep voiced sheriff who believes in old-fashioned jails), Pearl Burras - (Aunt to Bertha, who is addicted to killing dogs), and the over the top, Reverend Spikes, (president of the Smut Snatchers of the New Order) being the Best.

This being the first time seeing a 'Tuna' production I was put off at some of the Texas and dark humor, the audience didn't laugh at some of the material. I was also confused at the lack of Props (Unsure if is supposed to be that). Back during the PCT production, it was staged in the smaller Blue Room, and the show would be great in a smaller theatre with audience interaction in Act 2.

Alas, it was great to see those characters of Horenstein come to life again, in person. Both actors shine going from character to Character. Tuna Humor is not for everybody or the serious theatre goer.

Greater Tuna is running through Aug 18th at Lakewood Theatre in Lake Oswego, OR.