Onstage at the Freeland will present “Greater Tuna” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 18th and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 19th. As Producer Chip Cooper continues to seek out quality talent and shows to present at the Freeland Center for the community to enjoy, Bristow reaps the rewards of his endeavors. “Greater Tuna” affords the community another opportunity to experience something a little different yet a little familiar as well.
In response to Onstage at the Freeland’s most recent production, “Mary Poppins”, the community offered rave reviews of acclamation for all involved from local talent to professional actors. Some of those returning include Chip as producer, Chapman Shields as director, and K.C. Lupp as assistant director. Two “Mary Poppins” actors will perform in “Greater Tuna” as well, providing familiar faces and talent. Actor Gavin Drew, who played the part of Bert, will join Dakota Norman, who played the part of the horrible nanny Miss Andrew, on stage for the newest production. Those two actors may not be the only aspect locals find familiar.
In addition to the stage returns of Gavin and Dakota, Greater Tuna portrays characters of a small town in Texas: Tuna. The characters’ personalities and attitudes may resonate with locals, which Director Chapman Shields conveyed as unintended at the time the play was chosen for production. Instead, it proved a fun coincidence. According to Chapman, the play was specifically chosen to create laughter within the community at a time when illness and uncertainty abound.
Although he very recently retired, Chip will always be Bristow’s beloved doctor. Retiring did not cease his caring and compassionate nature or commitment to the health of the community. For those reasons, he opted to produce a comedy. Although cliché, laughter sometimes is the best medicine, especially during times such as these and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with illness, isolation, and loss at nearly every turn. While laughter cannot cure us of infection, it can lift our moods. A comedy provides us the opportunities to get out and enjoy a show, laugh, and have a little fun—even if we end up laughing at ourselves.
True, Bristow is a small community filled with characters similar to Tuna; however, all of the characters in the play will be portrayed by only two actors. Yes, Gavin and Dakota will, in fact, be the only actors in the play. They will each become the characters of Tuna, both male and female, old and young, for a hilariously good time. Chapman even chuckled while discussing the play, noting that “Gavin and Dakota are dear friends and two of the funniest people I’ve ever met in my life. When we’re just hanging out around rehearsals or in life, they are just being very funny and making jokes. We’re laughing. You know it’s going to be good when the two funniest people in your life are now doing a comedy together.”
As for the play, it first debuted in 1981 after being written by Ed Howard, Jaston Williams, and Joe Sears. Since its debut, it has become the most-produced play in the country. The play has been produced on stage, television, VHS, and DVD. “Greater Tuna” is also the first of a series of four plays about the small Texas town of Tuna. Although Chapman confirmed there are no current plans to present the subsequent three plays of the series, it is possible those could be performed at the Freeland in the future.
Also, the Onstage production of the play features the contributions of additional locals. While Gavin, Chip, and Chapman designed the set, it was created by Chip, Hunter Remington, and Don Baker and his high school stage craft class. Don also runs the Freeland Center.
Tickets sell for $15 and are currently available for purchase online at etix.com or by calling the Freeland Box Office at (918) 637-3540. Due to the spread of COVID, tickets will be strictly limited to 200 tickets per show, which is about 25 percent of the Freeland Center’s full capacity. Masks are strongly recommended and encouraged to be worn by attendees throughout presentation of the play. All information is current as of the time of print but is subject to change as the situation regarding COVID transmission and infection rates within the community remains fluid. Onstage at the Freeland and the Freeland Center for the Performing Arts appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation and look forward to providing quality entertainment for years to come.