Tuna Christmas preview

Those looking for offbeat holiday entertainment with a comedic twist may want to check out the Muncie Civic Theatre Studio Series production of “A Tuna Christmas,” a satire on small-town southern life.

Since the show is not taking place on the main stage, director Paul Tavianini says the play has more license to push the envelope. He says the play does not feature any profanity but it is more risqué than “Miracle on 34th Street.”

“It’s a Christmas story in a very loosely defined way,” Tavianini said. “It makes for a fun evening of theater.”

The play, written by Ed Howard, Joe Sears, and Jaston Williams, takes place in Tuna, Texas, where every year there is a competition for best Christmas lawn display. A wealthy woman named Vera Carp has won the competition 14 years in a row and is planning on winning 15. However, a creature, called the Christmas Phantom, begins to steal items from various yard displays in hopes that someone else will win the award.

Tavianini recently directed “Noises Off” at the Muncie Civic Theatre. He spent time acting in Boston, New York and Los Angeles before coming to Muncie to work at Ball State University.

The production stars Chris Griffith, the business manager at the Muncie Civic Theatre, and Corey Rudell, who recently starred in “Noises Off.” The two men play all 22 characters in “A Tuna Christmas.” The characters include men and women of various ages, occupations and personality types.

Tavianini wants everyone to come and see the show.

“It will be a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s like a roller coaster ride but a good one. One you don’t have to worry about getting sick afterwards.”

“A Tuna Christmas” opens Dec. 4 with additional performances on Dec. 5, 6, 11, and 12. General admission is $16; student tickets are $11.

For more information on this show and others visit the Muncie Civic Theatre website at munciecivic.org.

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