Theatre--Performance

Mike Bourgeois and Gabe Ortego in the OLT production of A Tuna Christmas

A Tuna Christmas, which opens Thursday at the Opelousas Little Theatre, promises laughs galore as two actors bring to life 22 residents of Tuna, the fictional third-smallest town in Texas.The long-running off-Broadway comedy by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard is the sequel to their earlier hit, Greater Tuna, and features a return of many of the town's colorful characters as well as introducing a few more.  This time, it's 24 hours before Christmas and comic chaos is about to break loose as the eccentric characters attempt to cope with seasonal traumas, a disaster-prone little theater production of A Christmas Carol and a yard-decorating contest that is being sabotaged by a Christmas phantom.

"It is a barrel of laughs with a lot of comings and goings and rapid-fire costume changes," said Jody Powell, who is in charge of costuming for the production.  For the play, she will be almost as busy as stars Gabe Ortego and Mike Bourgeois, who will bring to life Tuna's various residents through quick costume changes and a variety of characterizations.

"This play will be a delight for the entire family," Powell said. "Gabe and Mike possess a wealth of talent and have extensive stage experience."  She said Ortego has been seen on the OLT stage in Noises Off, Proof, The Tempest, Godspell and Louisiana Purchase. He also directed Steel Magnolias and Monky Business at OLT.  She said this play will put his comedic timing to the test as he portrays everyone from the buxom Helen Bedd to the cranky Didi Snavely and humanitarian Petey Fisk, among others.  She said Bourgeois is another veteran, having performed in Godspell, Fiddler on the Roof, Nunsense and Monky Business. "Comedic roles come naturally to him, a feature audiences will appreciate as he delivers a range of characters including the long-suffering Bertha Bumiller, drunkard R.R. Snavely, the bodacious Inita Goodwin and more," Powell said.

Ortego also will do double duty, as he has partnered with Deborah D. Ardoin of the Eunice Players' Theatre to direct the show.

Performance dates are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 3rd, 4th and 5th, and December 10th, 11th and 12th, with all shows at 7 p.m. There will also be two Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. on December 6th and 13th.  Tickets for all performances are $10. They will be available at the door or can be purchased in advance at Sebastien-Dupre Fine Jewelry at 822 S. Main St. or by calling 948-4367.

More information is available online at the Opelousas Little Theatre website.