ARROW ROCK, MO – Stop in and experience the fictional town of Tuna, the “third-smallest” town in Texas, with GREATER TUNA performing August 19 through August 26, 2017 at the Lyceum Theatre. This hilarious satire of small town life was written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard.

Greater Tuna is the hilarious comedy about Texas’ third smallest town, where the Lion’s Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. What do Arles Struvie, Thurston Wheelis, Didi Snavely, Aunt Pearl, Petey Fisk, Rev. Spikes, and Vera Carp have in common? Thanks to some quick-changing wizardry, the eclectic band of citizens are portrayed by only two actors, making this satire on life in rural America even more delightful as they depict all of the inhabitants of Tuna — men, women, children and animals. This affectionate send-up of small-town life will have your rolling in the aisles!

Michael Rothhaar returns to the Lyceum to direct Greater Tuna. The production features Whit Reichert playing the characters of Thurston Wheelis, Bertha Bumiller, Yippy, Leonard Childers, Pearl Burras, R. R. Snavely, Rev. Spikes, Sheriff Givens and Hank Bumiller. Jeff Stockberger plays the characters of Arles Struvie, Didi Snavely, Harold Dean Lattimer, Petey Fisk, Jody Bumiller, Stanley Bumiller, Charlene Bumiller, Chad Hartford, Phinas Blye and Vera Carp.

Whit Reichert returns to The Lyceum as half the townspeople in Greater Tuna. Last season at the Lyceum, Whit appeared in four shows, most notably, as Ben Franklin in 1776. Other favorite Lyceum roles include J. B. Biggley in How To Succeed…, George Macmillan in Big, The Musical, Osgood Feilding in Sugar, Max in The Sound of Music, Grandpa in Meet Me In St. Louis, the Wizard in The Wizard Of Oz and Al Lewis in The Sunshine Boys. Whit has worked all over the country, but those familiar with St. Louis theatre may recognize him from productions at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Shakespeare Festival, Stages, The Muny, St. Louis Actors’ Theatre, The Black Rep and The Variety Club Theatre.

Making his Lyceum debut, Jeff Stockberger plays the other half of Tuna’s residents. Originally from St. Louis, Jeff is now a resident of Indianapolis Indiana and a regular performer at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Acting credits: Captain Hook/Peter Pan, Luther Billis/South Pacific, Lord Evelyn Oakley/Anything Goes, Charlie/The Foreigner, Stanley/Run For Your Wife, Oscar Madison/The Odd Couple, Lurch/The Addams Family, Stanley Banks/Father Of The Bride, Franz Leibkin/The Producers and Scrooge/A Christmas Carol.

Michael Rothhaar, a Lyceum regular, returns to direct the production. Mr. Rothhaar has directed the Lyceum productions of South Pacific, Witness For The Prosecution, A Murder Is Announced, My Fair Lady and Spider’s Web, as well as appearing in such Lyceum shows as The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, The Man Who Came To Dinner, You Can’t Take It With You, Black Coffee, Run For Your Wife and And Then There Were None. Michael served as the Artistic Director of Pennsylvania’s Allenberry Playhouse from 1987 to 1992. For Allenberry, he directed 40 productions, notably: Lettice And Lovage, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Agnes Of God, Cabaret, Guys And Dolls and My Fair Lady. For Pacific Resident Theatre, he has directed Becky’s New Car (Los Angeles Premiere), Brecht’s Saint Joan Of The Slaughterhouses, Otherwise Engaged, Candida, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Waiting For Godot, The Hasty Heart, Four Dogs And A Bone and Family Planning, among others. Elsewhere, he directed the West Coast Premiere of Holy Ghost at Theatre of NOTE and The Last Flapper at the Ensemble Theatre of Santa Barbara. In Washington, D.C., he directed Mrs. Warren’s Profession and The Millionairess at the Washington Stage Guild. In 1994, he directed Sleuth, which toured southern California. As an actor, he has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in various feature films, as well as in numerous television series. He is the recipient of various theatre awards and nominations and a proud member of SDC, AEA and SAG-AFTRA.

Scenic design is by Lyceum Theatre Resident Scenic Designer Ryan J. Zirngibl. Mr. Zirngibl has designed many productions at The Lyceum including Les Misérables, A Christmas Carol, Million Dollar Quartet, Around the World in 80 Days, The King and I, and Fiddler on the Roof. Costume Designer Rachel Wahl has worked as the assistant costume shop manager and Youth Tour Designer (The Paperbag Princess) at the Merry Go Round Playhouse.  Resident Lighting Designer Randy B. Winder has designed close to 100 Lyceum productions including Cats, A Christmas Carol, Les Misérables, Million Dollar Quartet, and The Fantasticks. Tony Dearing is in his 25th year as Production Stage Manager and Ivan Dario Cano returns for his second year as Assistant Stage Manager.

Single Tickets for Greater Tuna are priced at $37.00 for adults. Senior, student and children discounts are available. Special Group Rates are available as well. Performances are August 19 – August 26, 2017, Evening performances are at 8pm and matinees are at 2pm. For tickets: www.lyceumtheatere.org, (660) 837-3311 x1, or in person at the Lyceum’s box office at 114 High Street, Arrow Rock, MO 65320.

The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)(3), professional theatre located in the unique village of Arrow Rock, Missouri, a 19th century National Historic Landmark. The Lyceum has been entertaining audiences in the heart of Missouri for 57 years producing a variety of musicals, dramas and comedies. Each year, this 408 seat theatre attracts professional talent from across the country to produce an eight show season (June-December). Performers, designers, directors, and technicians take residence in Arrow Rock for five months to bring its patrons Broadway caliber productions throughout the summer. The Lyceum receives much needed support from the Missouri Arts Council.

The Lyceum Theatre is affiliated with Actors’ Equity Association, the Union for Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States, and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

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