Publisher: Elizabeth Hurd

Congratulations To Donald Jordan and Jonathan Beck Reed!

Jonathan Beck Reed (in pink)
Donald Jordan (in baby blue)
Photo courtesy of MUTZ Photography

March 17 has been declared Donald Jordan and Jonathan Beck Reed Day by Governor Mary Fallin.  Wow, what an opening night for “Greater Tuna” this Saturday.

“Greater Tuna” the brilliant two man show with too many parts to count has been fascinating audiences and filling them with laughter since 1981. Joe Sears, Jaston Williams and Ed Howard wrote the hit comedy and Sears and Williams have toured it frequently over the years.

Another two actors, cast in the show in 1985, were intrigued with their parts and dreamed of doing the roles again and fantasized doing it together.  Donald Jordan, Founding Artistic Director of CityRep and co-founder and friend Jonathan Beck Reed had also dreamed of founding an Equity Theatre in Oklahoma City.  Their dreams have been realized with Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre in its 16th season and the first time, 8 years ago that they performed “Greater Tuna” together in Oklahoma City at CityRep Theatre.  “Greater Tuna” is back, by popular demand and performing for everyone, but especially for me.

Donald Jordan Photo Courtesy of MUTZ Photography

In the good old days (seventies) it was interesting to watch the young actors bursting onto the theatre scene at Oklahoma City University and the Oklahoma City community.  From the mature viewpoint of my mid-20’s it was fascinating to watch the antics, enthusiasm and friendship blossom between two young actors not even old enough to vote.  Everyone had a favorite place to gather.  The Children’s Center, or anywhere Professor Claire Jones happened to be. It was a pleasure to work with them on stage then and it is wondrous to see their names on the Wall of Honor at OCU as well as watching them continue successful professional careers giving back to the Oklahoma City community where they first shook up the town.  What a pair, and what friends they are to each other, to me and to theatre.  Of course, it is Donald Jordan and Jonathan Beck Reed, two phenomenal and brilliantly talented actors that are such an important part of our vibrant Oklahoma City theatrical family.

Jonathan Beck Reed (seated) and Donald Jordan. Photo courtesy of MUTZ Photography

“Greater Tuna” has twenty different and unique characters and they each play half of them, representing all ages, genders, political perspectives and philosophy.  Under the exquisitely timed direction of Steve Emerson, Reed and Jordan create characters that flow beautifully.  They make each character their own, of course, but the two that are most like them are the two at the radio station,   Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie are disc jockeys at OKKK the local Tuna, Texas radio station, and their connection is quite similar to the connection that actually exists between Jordan and Reed.  (The similarity ends at this point!)  Some of the funniest characters are their very realistic representations of the women in the town, from .  Without the direction of Emerson and the five dressers who assist them in these quick changes, “Greater Tuna” could not be presented as the fluid, flawless production it is.  Emerson leads the team created for “Greater Tuna” with skillful perfection.

Jonathan Beck Reed Photo Courtesy of MUTZ Photography

Bertha Bumiller to Pearl Burris, (Jordan) or Vera Carp and Didi Snavely (Reed).  Some of the other notable characters are the Reverend Spikes, Sheriff Givens, Elmer Watkins and Charlene Bumiller.  With each actor playing 10 roles the number of quick changes are beyond count.  Now, as a result, if in a burning house, these actors could beat everyone else wearing pajamas out the door, and they would be fully dressed including tie, hat and handkerchief having stopped on the way to save the goldfish and, of course, Yippy, the dog.  Without the direction of Emerson and the five dressers who assist them in these quick changes, “Greater Tuna” could not be presented as the fluid, flawless production it is.  Emerson leads the team created for “Greater Tuna” with skillful perfection.

“Greater Tuna” is a hysterical look at fun family oriented life that happens in a small town in the south, but there is also the darker element of folk holding on to traditional viewpoints of the world.  These roles are played with great sensitivity and understanding as well as fun.  We learn to love all these residents of a small town, and appreciate their life and values even as we deplore their old-fashioned ideas about equality.  Jordan and Reed are compelling in “Greater Tuna” which opens March 15th, 2018 at the Freede Theatre in the Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City.  The curtain rises at 7:30, or 1:30 for the matinees and the tickets are available at the box office (s) 405-848-3761 (CityRep) or 405-297-2264 (Civic Center).  Call soon while tickets are still available or visit www.cityrep.com for more information or to purchase online.  Don’t miss “Greater Tuna” it is a genuine hoot bordering on hootenanny!