A Christmas Tuna This play takes place in a small town called Tuna, Texas. It is centered on the town's annual Christmas Yard Display Contest. While everyone is preparing for the big Christmas lawn contest, an anonymous “Christmas Phantom," known for vandalizing yard displays, threatens to destroy the contest and turn it into chaos. While several characters are shown, some main characters are the Bumiller’s and Joe Bob Lipsey. All characters, including men, women, and children, are played by two actors who sufficiently play each role. As the play begins there are two announcers who announce the Christmas Yard contestants and where we meet several of the characters. We are informed that one of the characters Vera Carp, has won the contest 14 times in a row. Bertha Bumiller desperately tries to convince Charlene Bumiller to get into the Christmas spirit. We also learn that Stanley Bummiller, who brings home a pregnant cat and is Charlene’s twin, is attempting to end his probation from jail by helping with the production of A Christmas Carol. The actors do a stupendous job at keeping the audience entertained and keep us laughing.
We then meet Vera Camp, the town snob, tries to help Bertha redecorate her Christmas tree. We learn that Bertha’s husband, Hanks, wallet is found in front of the Star Light Hotel, as it is assumed that he has been cheating on her but Bertha will not leave him. We meet Didi Snavely, who is believed to be a crazy woman who owns a weapon store. We learn that her husband is a dumb alcoholic and causes a lot of problems. Bertha and Didi stay positive throughout the whole scene even though both of their husbands are messed up. Didi then calls Lenard’s radio show and “ruins his Christmas” by announcing on air about his affair knowing his wife Reba could be listening. We also meet Aunt Pearl who is a bigger lady who likes to shoot blue jays and has a limp. While she was a riveter, she is just a very sweet, compassionate woman. Joe Bob Lipsey's production of A Christmas Carol is not going so great because no one knows their lines and struggles despite many annoyances and obstacles. However, we come with the dilemma that if Dixie cuts the lights for the play then Stanley won’t be able to complete his probation. Dixie and Aunt Pearl actually hope the phantom gets Vera’s yard since she’s won 14 years in a row.
This play was very good and everything I expected it to be. I really appreciated how Frost and Stevens played each character and gave them their own personality. You couldn’t even distinguish that they were the same actors playing different characters. The props and lighting were both good. Improvisation was excellent! I really enjoyed this play more than Greater Tuna. This could be perhaps because it’s almost Christmas time so it was something I was actually interested in.