Seaside Rep

The Seaside Repertory Theatre, Northwest Florida’s premier professional theatre company, is excited to present the holiday production of A Tuna Christmas, the second in a trilogy of stories about the dysfunctional citizens of Tuna, Texas, written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard and directed by Bruce Collier. The whole family will enjoy meeting Tuna’s beloved characters, some of whom may be remembered from the Rep’s 2001 production of Greater Tuna. The Merchants of Rosemary Beach are sponsoring what the New York Times has called “a hoot” and The Dallas Morning News called “a delightful gift.”

Artistic Director Craige Hoover and long-time company member Sammy Wegent will take the stage as local radio hosts Arles Struvie and Thurston Wheelis. With some split-second costume changes, the two actors have the task of portraying twenty additional men, women, children and animals that make up Texas’ third smallest town where “the Lion’s Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies.”

A Tuna Christmas centers on the town's annual Christmas yard display contest, won 14 times in a row by Vera Carp. A mysterious Christmas Phantom, known for vandalizing the yard displays, threatens to throw the contest into turmoil. Among the subplots are Stanley Bumiller's attempts to end his probation and leave Tuna, Bertha Bumiller’s trying to hold her family together during Christmastime, and Joe Bob Lipsey's struggle to mount successfully his production of A Christmas Carol despite numerous vexations and obstacles.

Hoover is looking forward to bringing the town of Tuna back to life, as he portrayed around a dozen of the characters in Greater Tuna during the Rep’s inaugural season. “I am as excited about this show as any we have done in the past five years, Hoover says, "To be able to return to these hilarious characters and to share the stage with Sammy for three weeks is an absolute thrill." Hoover is the Rep’s founding Artistic Director who most recently directed the 2007 productions of The Last Five Years, The Real ThingThe Underpants. He was last seen on stage as multiple characters in Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol.

Sammy Wegent, founder and director of the Rep’s original improv troupe, SPF 7, now based in San Franciso, will make up the other half of the cast of A Tuna Christmas. As a comedian, Sammy won the 2005 Battle of the Bay Comedy Competition at the San Jose Improv and holds the title of “The Funniest Person in the Bay Area.” Sammy also directs and writes for the critically acclaimed political sketch group, Richter Scale and has performed at theatres, comedy clubs and festivals all over North America, including the Chicago Improv Festival, the San Francisco Theater Festival, Stand Up NY, the St. Louis Fringe Festival, Washington D.C.’s The Shakespeare Theatre and the Toronto International Improv Festival. He is the Executive Producer for the Rep’s Gulf Coast Comedy Festival.

The Rep’s production of A Tuna Christmas will run Wednesdays – Saturdays, December 12 – 29, at 7:30pm in the Meeting Hall Theatre at 215 Quincy Circle. Tickets are $24 and $20 for Rep members and can be purchased online at seasiderep.org or by calling the Rep box office at (850) 231-0733. The Rep’s 2007 season is sponsored by Design and Design Services of Florida and in part by the Beaches of South Walton.

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Seaside Rep Theatre
Located at 215 Quincy Circle
Box office: 231.0733
www.seasiderep.org

hoover_rc

We open next week, so get your reservations early!

jdarg

Y'all are hotties!!

Miss Kitty

Don't Mess with Texas...we've already been messed with! This is such a hoot and holler show...everyone go see it!!!

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The mind is like a parachute, it works best when it is open.

John R

I'll definitely be going to see this one.

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click >> Filter your water instead of using bottled water << click

Smiling JOe

It sounds like a great one.

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LightWorker

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"I cannot tell you any spiritual truth that deep within you don't know already. All I can do is remind you of what you have forgotten" Eckhart Tolle

potatovixen

I'll be there no matter what, but....

need volunteers?

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"The day will come after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, that we shall harness for God the energies of love. And, on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire." ~Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

John R

If you call Kevin at 231 0733, I'm sure he'd take all the volunteers he can get.

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savvytangerine

Now this is what I have be waiting for!

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Seaside Rep

Opening night, Wednesday, December 12, is for Members-Only. If you are a member, you are invited to a pre-show party and then the performance. If you are not currently a Member, now is the time to join!

Here are the opening night details:
5:30 Pre-show Member party at 14 W. Ruskin, $10
7:30 Members-Only opening night of A TUNA CHRISTMAS, $20
You must reserve by phone for opening night - 850.231.0733.

Tickets are still available to the general public for all other performances. Purchase tickets by phone or at www.seasiderep.org. The website also has information about Membership.

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Seaside Rep Theatre
Located at 215 Quincy Circle
Box office: 231.0733
www.seasiderep.org

Seaside Rep

The Rep is proud to have two South Walton High School drama students involved in the production of A TUNA CHRISTMAS - Kase and Will make up our backstage running crew, and we thank them for their involvement and enthusiasm! We also thank their parents for allowing them to donate so much time to the production.

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Seaside Rep Theatre
Located at 215 Quincy Circle
Box office: 231.0733
www.seasiderep.org

Kase626

Thanks to the Rep for letting me be a part of it! I couldn't have dreamed of a better internship. :)

hoover_rc

We need some sewers! Is that a word?

No, the Costumer for Tuna Christmas could really use the help of a couple of volunteers that have even the slightest working knowledge of needles and/or sewing machines..

She will be working on Saturday (Tomorrow) afternoon from 2 until maybe 5 or 6.... Anyone interested in a pair of free tickets to the show in return for their services should call Kevin at the office at 231-0733...

Thanks!

jdarg

I have "inside information" that this show is hilarious. Opens this week!

John R

The crew worked on Tuna all day yesterday. This show is amazing, with characters that will have you rolling in the aisles and even your own row. Get your tickets early, because as soon as the people who've seen it start the buzz on the street, seats will be hard to come by. Give Kevin a call today.

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click >> Filter your water instead of using bottled water << click

Miss Kitty

This show is a masterpiece of funn!

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The mind is like a parachute, it works best when it is open.

jdarg

Miss Kitty likes this play because "tuna" is in the name.

John R

Will you be here to see it?

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click >> Filter your water instead of using bottled water << click

Miss Kitty

YEP.

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The mind is like a parachute, it works best when it is open.

Mermaid

The Mers will be there too! We're closing 2007 out with a good belly laugh courtesy of A Tuna Christmas!

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I was outed twice now in my life--the first time by my sister in high school...the second time was right here on Sowal--by of all things, a dumbass mermaid--eh, go figure. ~a drama queen

Miss Kitty

Remember...no parking on 30-A!

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The mind is like a parachute, it works best when it is open.

NoHall

"Sewer" is in fact a word, but I don't think it describes your need. I think you want a seamstress (or, if we're going to be all p.c. and gender-specific, a seamster.)

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Mermaid

You got that one straight, sister.

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I was outed twice now in my life--the first time by my sister in high school...the second time was right here on Sowal--by of all things, a dumbass mermaid--eh, go figure. ~a drama queen

WaterCourseWay

Will be there Weds night, can't wait!

Break a Leg all...

potatovixen

This was great! Sammy and Craige are absolutely hilarious!

And the "tuna helpers" did a great job, too.

WaterCourseWay, great seeing you again!

__________________
"The day will come after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, that we shall harness for God the energies of love. And, on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire." ~Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

SWGB

Hey Rep, the link to the membership PDF isn't working, says the file is damaged.

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WaterCourseWay

You guys were great, congratulations - I think I need to see it again!

PotatoVixen, was great to see you too... was funny, the double-take we both did "hey I know you!"

Seriously, see this show, you will laugh your a$$ off...

hoover_rc

Thanks! We'll get that fixed right away. If you want to PM me your address, I can get you a membership envelope.....

SWGB

I was just letting you guys know, can I just stop by the REP and pick one up?

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hoover_rc

Absolutely... we always have them available at the shows! Thanks for the heads up...

jdarg

A little bird told me that Tuna was a crack-up last night. (OK- a 6'1" little bird named "Tuna Helper" who lives with us)

What a great weekend to go to the theater and have a few belly laughs to jump start the busiest part of the holidays!!

Beach Bimmer

From "DargVader" to "Tuna Helper"...what a name change! We could paint a plaque tile with the "Tuna Helper" name for his door...LOL!

A theatrical star is born, and his name is Tuna Helper!

jdarg

Thanks Beachbimmer for the tile idea!

John R

kase626 is the other half of tuna helper, make two.

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jdarg

I think there should be Tuna Helper t-shirts for sale. If I had skillz, I would make this happen!

Kase626

Those Tuna Helper t-shirts are SO comfortable. It's my new favorite shirt. I'd wear it ALL the time if I knew it wouldn't smell bad after a few days..... Even then, it's tempting.

Yes, I love it THAT much. :)

jdarg

If you haven't seen Tuna Christmas, get tickets and give yourself a huge laugh for the holidays! Some of those Tuna women are just gorgeous!

I don't think we stopped laughing the entire show (at least that's what Will told me- he could hear me backstage).

potatovixen

Ol' Deedee sure is a looker, ain't she?

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"The day will come after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, that we shall harness for God the energies of love. And, on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire." ~Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

jdarg

Yes, supermodels should be worried about the competition from DeeDee!

John R

Plus, you can get any weapon you need at Didi's...

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click >> Filter your water instead of using bottled water << click

Smiling JOe

I am going to see it next week. I cannot wait! I hear many great reviews.

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LightWorker

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"I cannot tell you any spiritual truth that deep within you don't know already. All I can do is remind you of what you have forgotten" Eckhart Tolle

hoover_rc

Thursday night and Saturday night of this week, and Saturday night of next week are already all but sold out, so make your reservations today...

Plenty of tix avalable for this Wednesday night, however, so that would be a good night to bring a group.... Here's a funny pic..

gotothebeachmom

We're coming on the 29th. We saw Greater Tuna, in Atlanta several years ago. Absolutely hilarious! Can't wait!

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Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo. ~H.G. Wells

Allifunn

I just got 2 tickets for the 29th!!!! I'll see you there Mermy!!!
(I wanted 3 but they only had 2...so I am on a waiting list for 1 more, hope to take Deb & Kaiboo)

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Buy the book, kiss the cook - AlisonCooks.com

Smiling JOe

Attached Images

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JUL

OK...I have made a choice...I will go see the Tuna on Friday! If there are any tickets available.

Thank you for your guided tour!

jdarg

My mom thought you were hot in that great wife beater.

jdarg

Wash it on gentle cycle inside out, then dry on low. I will do it for you if you want- I owe you anyway!