“Greater Tuna” Celebrates CityRep’s Outstanding Performers!
Jonathan Beck Reed (in pink)
Donald Jordan (in baby blue)
Photo courtesy of MUTZ Photography
In the early 1980’s Joe Sears, Ed Howard and Jaston Williams first imagined the town of Tuna, Texas as a familiar place for many Americans. Tuna is a small southern town with a definitive culture, celebrating what they know has worked for generations, unaware that generations to follow are more sophisticated, but not necessarily less determinate. The show celebrates the greatness of these Americans even as the dialogue holds up those inbred notions of self-superiority to ridicule; we must admire their strength and tenacity in the face of their own brand of hardship. It is a background to be proud of and to grow from, and while we have grown beyond the bigotry and strict codes of behavior found in these pockets of small town America, we must celebrate them. Jonathan Beck Reed and Donald Jordan help us celebrate them in “Greater Tuna” showing at the Freede Theater in the Civic Center Music Hall.
Saturday, March 17, 2018 Oklahomans were treated to the opening night celebration of “Greater Tuna” with Jonathan Beck Reed and Donald Jordan. This is a special day because it marks the first official celebration of Donald Jordan and Jonathan Beck Reed Day. Governor Mary Fallin officially designated this date in honor of their many contributions to the state of Oklahoma with their talent and dedication. They have earned it and they are earning it all over again with every presentation of “Greater Tuna” at the Civic Center.
Since its inception, “Greater Tuna” has been performed regularly by two of the original authors, Jaston Williams and Joe Sears. It has also been performed quite magnificently by Donald Jordan and Jonathan Beck Reed. The show is demanding physically as well as mentally, keeping all these characters separate and dressed on time is a challenge that these two meet with spectacular success. The quality of their performance is due to the efforts of Director Steve Emerson who leads them unerringly through the countless hysterical scenes.
Donald Jordan Photo Courtesy of MUTZ Photography
Emerson is responsible for the sound design and Tristan Decker is the lighting designer. The set is wonderful and designer Ben Hall once again displays his varied talents for “Greater Tuna” and Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre. The numerous costumes are designed by Danielle Trebus, and they are easy to work with, but much of the credit should be given to the dressers—five who control the costumes, preparing them for the actors perfectly and assisting them in very quick changes effortlessly. These exceptional people are Michael J. Greene, Kris Schinske, Jon-Philip Olson, Heidi Sue Wallace, Christopher Curtis and David Mays. Christopher Curtis understudies Donald Jordan and David Mays understudies Jonathan Beck Reed. It will be very interesting to see the two perform the show in years to come as they are also very talented actors. It should be noted that the most talented of actors are always working very diligently in technical aspects of theatre, as Kris Schinske, Jon-Philip Olson and Michael Greene have all demonstrated. Ben Hall certainly proved his on stage qualities in the previous show at CityRep—“Heisenberg” as Alex Priest.
Jonathan Beck Reed Photo courtesy of MUTZ Photography
Clearly, the stars of the show, Jordan and Reed enchant the audience with their incredible versatility and empathy in playing this multitude of characters. “Greater Tuna” is one of the funniest shows ever written, and Beck and Jordan are two of the funniest actors to grace any stage. In honor of their many contributions to the state the two have been honored by Governor Fallin and that honor extends to all who work with them to make this show wonderful. Unsung heroes like Anna Holloway, Dramaturg and Jon Haque, Business Manager or Michael Jones, Artistic Associate labor intensely for every production. Of course, every production from this excellent regional Equity theatre is outstanding, reflected by the professional standards set by every artist connected with Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre—CityRep.
“Greater Tuna” shows at Civic Center Music Hall’s Freede Little Theater at 201 N. Walker Avenue in downtown Oklahoma City. Curtain is at 7:30 pm for evening performances and 1:30 for the Sunday matinee. “Greater Tuna” runs through April 8, 2018 so get your tickets now by visiting www.cityrep.com or by calling the box office at 405-848-3761 or try the Civic Center box office at 405-297-2264.