JCT pulls switch on Greater Tuna's usual role-reversals

Newsboy photo/ Sharon Kerr AMBER STROMAN will put her 'Leonard' up against tuna-chasing relatives expectations of a rollicking performance at the Jasper Community Theater production of Greater Tuna the last two weekends of April.

Greater Tuna "dress" rehearsals have begun at the Violet Tonahill Center for the Performing Arts in Jasper.

The "dress" part is usually an inside joke because all of the zany character, male and female, are normally played by two men who have to be quick change artists.

In the Jasper Community Theatre version, Charles Norwood cast 15 local stars, only a few of whom do double duty; Shelby Stroman as Jody, Tracy Johnston as Petey and Didi Snavely, Theresa Belew as Pearl, Brenda Johnston as Vera Carp, Jennifer Gobert as Charlene Bumiller and Phineas Blye; Amber Stroman as Leonard and Chad, Charles Norward as the Reverend Spikes and Thurston, Willie Williamson as Arles Stavey, Jimmy Powers as Harold Dean, Bob Mayhar as Elmer Watkins, Becky Mayhar as Bertha, Allan Andrews as RR, Spencer Gobertas the child in the garden, Lera Probst as Stanley Bumiller, and Ron Shamblin as the Sheriff and Hank.

Amber Stroman says she has relatives who call themselves "Tuna chasers" and go to every production they can find within driving distance. They know all the lines and come with great expectations to see if a cast measures up to the classic Tuna productions by Jaston Williams with Joe Sears and Ed Howard.

Greatertuna.com says the Tuna trilogy is "comedy with 'Tex' appeal." It debuted in 1981 and satirizes life in the small town of Tuna, Texas.

Jasper performances will be April 19-21 and April 26- 27 at 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee April 28.

For reservations and tickets, call Shy-Bee Electric at 384-8718 or Becky Mayhar at 383-0535.