Of 'Tuna' and 'Underdogs'
Sierra Madre Playhouse and Fremont Centre Theatre pump new life into local theater scene with two major productions
By Carl Kozlowski 08/19/2010
The local theater scene took a hit this spring when the Pasadena Playhouse was forced to close and enter bankruptcy reorganization. But hope springs eternal, as the Playhouse recently announced its comeback plans, and now two other area theaters are stepping up with heavy-hitting shows of their own.
Launching at the Sierra Madre Playhouse is “Greater Tuna,” which has proven to be one of the most popular comedies in the nation ever since its 1981 debut. The reason for its devoted following and its perpetual staging is the fact that “Tuna” depicts the life and times of the fictional Tuna, Texas, “Texas’ third-smallest town, where the Lions Club is too liberal, and Patsy Cline never dies.”
The fun emanates from the fact that the play always portrays its dozens of characters through the acting abilities of a two-man cast — in this case, Dustin Fasching and Justin Baker. While the play was written by its original actors Jaston Williams and Joe Sears and its original director Ed Howard, comedic theater veteran Guilford Adams is the director of the Sierra Madre production. No matter who’s in charge, however, “Tuna” has proven to be a wildly entertaining ride.
Meanwhile, South Pasadena’s Fremont Centre Theatre is offering “Topdog/Underdog,” which won for its playwright Suzan-Lori Parks the Pulitzer Prize for the story’s portrayal of two young brothers named Lincoln and Booth who are bound together by their hopeless childhoods and quest for something better. Booth is younger and wants to follow Lincoln’s footsteps as a con artist specializing in three-card monte, while Lincoln has seen the dead end that a life of crime brings and is trying to get out while trapped in a job as an Abraham Lincoln impersonator.
“‘Topdog/Underdog’ shimmers with wonderful dialogue as these two brothers struggle to master their out of control lives and to gain advantage over their futures and each other,” says Fremont Centre Theatre Co-Artistic Director James Reynolds, who is also directing the play.
“Greater Tuna” is performed at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, through Sept. 25 at the Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Tickets are $12 to $20. Call (626) 355-4318 or visit sierramadreplayhouse.com.
“Topdog/Underdog” is being previewed at the Fremont Centre Theatre, 1000 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena, at 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets for that show are $12.50. The show premieres at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for that performance are $35 and include a champagne and appetizer reception. The play runs through Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $25 general admission, $20 students and seniors. Call (866) 811-4111 or visit ovationtix.com/trs/pr/746265.
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