A Tuna Christmas is a comedic stage play written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard. It is the second installment in the “Tuna” series of plays, which also includes Greater Tuna, Red, White and Tuna, and Tuna Does Vegas. The play is set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas—the “third‑smallest” town in the state—and satirizes small‑town Southern life through a large ensemble of characters portrayed by just two male actors.
Overview
- Written by: Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, Ed Howard
- Premiere: 1989 (originally toured after debuting in Austin, Texas)
- Language: English
- Genre: Comedy, satire
- Setting: Tuna, Texas
The play follows the town’s annual Christmas Yard Display Contest, a tradition that has been won fourteen consecutive years by the town’s snob, Vera Carp. A mysterious “Christmas Phantom” begins vandalizing the yard displays, threatening to disrupt the contest and the town’s holiday spirit. Subplots involve the Bumiller family’s attempts to cope with the season, the town’s amateur theater director’s struggle to stage A Christmas Carol, and various eccentric residents’ personal quirks.
Production History
- Original Run: After its 1989 debut, A Tuna Christmas toured nationally, often performed alongside the other Tuna plays. The touring schedule continued until 2012, concluding with the retirement of Joe Sears from the troupe.
- Performance Style: The play is notable for its “two‑man” format; Williams and Sears performed the entire cast of more than twenty characters, alternating genders and ages through rapid costume changes and vocal variation.
- Notable Performances: The troupe gave command performances of A Tuna Christmas (and its predecessor Greater Tuna) at the White House for President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush.
- Media Releases: A videotaped performance of the play is available on VHS and DVD. The script and production notes are published by the play’s official website, greatertuna.com.
Plot Summary
The central narrative revolves around the annual Christmas Yard Display Contest, a fiercely contested event in Tuna. Vera Carp, a self‑styled town aristocrat, has won the contest for fourteen years running. The emergence of a “Christmas Phantom” who vandalizes competitors’ displays creates chaos and suspicion among the townspeople. Concurrently:
- Stanley Bumiller attempts to finish his probation and leave Tuna.
- Bertha Bumiller struggles to keep her family together during the holidays.
- Joe Bob Lipsey, the director of the local Little Theater, wrestles with mounting obstacles while trying to stage a production of A Christmas Carol.
These storylines interweave with numerous comedic vignettes featuring radio disc jockeys, UFO enthusiasts, a “little‑person” patron of the local ice‑cream shop, and other idiosyncratic residents.
Characters
The play’s cast of characters, all portrayed by the two actors, includes:
- Arles Struvie – Disc jockey at radio station OKKK.
- Didi Snavely – Owner of “Didi’s Used Weapons.”
- Petey Fisk – Employee of the Greater Tuna Humane Society.
- Jody, Stanley, and Charlene Bumiller – Children of Bertha Bumiller, each with distinct aspirations and misadventures.
- Vera Carp – Town snob and self‑appointed leader of the “Smut‑Snatchers of the New Order.”
- Dixie Deberry – Controller of the Tuna Electric Company.
- Helen Bedd – Waitress at the Tasty‑Creme diner.
- Sheriff Givens, Ike Thompson, Inita Goodwin, Phoebe Burkhalter, Joe Bob Lipsey, and many others populate the satirical tableau of Tuna.
Reception and Honors
- A Tuna Christmas* received critical acclaim for its witty writing, inventive staging, and the performers’ versatility. Notable recognitions include:
- Helen Hayes Awards – Nominated for Outstanding Non‑Resident Production (1990).
- Individual Nominations – Both Joe Sears and Jaston Williams received multiple Helen Hayes nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Touring Production (1990, 1998).
- Los Angeles Dramalogue Award – Best Actor (1993) for Sears.
- Tony Award Nomination – Joe Sears was nominated for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (1995).
The play continues to be staged by community theaters, schools, and professional companies across the United States, often paired with the other Tuna productions to form a full “Tuna” season.
Legacy
A Tuna Christmas solidified the Tuna series as a distinctive contribution to American comedic theatre, celebrated for its blend of regional satire, rapid‑change performance technique, and affectionate portrayal of small‑town life. Its enduring popularity attests to the play’s capacity to entertain audiences while offering a tongue‑in‑cheek commentary on cultural traditions and community dynamics during the holiday season.
