A Tuna Christmas is coming to American Heartland Theatre!

It’s Christmas time in Tuna… Texas, that is! Tuna is the 3rd smallest town in Texas, where the Lion’s Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. With only 24 hours before Christmas, all comic hell is about to break loose. Witness the delightfully eccentric citizens of Tuna attempt to cope with seasonal traumas such as a disaster-prone little theatre production of A Christmas Carol and the 15th annual lawn display contest that is being sabotaged by a mysterious Christmas phantom! Bring the whole family and spend the holidays with all your favorite citizens of Tuna. A Tuna Christmas runs at American Heartland Theatre November 6 through December 28, 2008.
The AHT production of A Tuna Christmas stars Jim J. Bullock as Thurston. Twenty years ago, Jim J. played the American Heartland Theatre in Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. Most recently, Jim J. returned to Broadway to reprise his role as Tracy Turnblad’s father, Wilbur, in Hairspray. Most will remember Jim J. for his portrayal of Monroe Ficus on ABC’s Too Close for Comfort with Ted Knight. He also occupied the upper-right square on The Hollywood Squares, was seen as Neil Tanner in NBC’s Alf, and joined with Tammy Faye Messner to create The Jim J. and Tammy Faye Show. He was the recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle for his performance in the west coast premier of When Pigs Fly and appeared off-Broadway in the critically acclaimed End of the World Party. Guest appearances on television include Roseanne, Boogie’s Diner, Conrad Bloom, Popular, Seinfeld and most recently Nickelodeon’s Ned’s Declassified. He has worked in film with such noted directors as Blake Edwards in Switch and Mel Brooks in the cult classic Space Balls. Jim J. was a regular panelist on the Oxygen Network’s revival of the long-running sixties game show, I’ve Got a Secret and is the voice of the title character in Paramount’s animated feature Queer Duck-The Movie. John-Michael Zuerlein returns to AHT starring as Arles. He was last seen at American Heartland Theatre’s Perfect Wedding and A Dog's Life before that. Other favorite performances include tick, tick...Boom!, Forbidden Broadway, Forever Plaid, Falsettos, Smokey Joe's Cafe, and Honk! John-Michael has had the pleasure of performing all over the world and in 2008, he performed in Alaska, Hawaii, Turkey, New Zealand, Australia, Greece, Italy, and Bora Bora. After spending the holidays at AHT, John-Michael will be singing in a concert of Leonard Bernstein's Mass with the Minnesota Orchestra in Minneapolis, and will then return home to be a part of the Kansas City Rep's new production of the musical, Winesburg, Ohio. Aside from his work on stage, he keeps busy doing commercial and voice-over work.
A Tuna Christmas was written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard. Understudies for the production include Peter Fopeano as Thurston and Matt Weiss as Arles. Peter Fopeano recently appeared in the movie All Roads Lead Home as well as Othello last summer at the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. He is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC and has worked at the New Theatre and Coterie. Matt Weiss holds a B.F.A. from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo where he was most recently an adjunct professor for the theatre department. Last year he made his Kansas City debut in A Separate Peace at the Coterie Theatre. A Tuna Christmas is directed by AHT Director of Production Paul Hough. Scenic design is by Howard Jones, set construction is by Alex Perry, and Bill Christie and Sara Beatty are serving as stage managers. Finally, sound design is provided by Roger Stoddard, lighting is by Shane Rowse and costumes are designed by Sarah Oliver.
To purchase tickets, call 816-842-9999, visit the box office in Crown Center, or view us online at www.ahtkc.com. Groups of 12 or more may call 816-842-0202 for reservations (group discounts available). Tuesday through Thursday evening performances begin at 7:30pm. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 8:00pm. Sunday matinee performances begin at 2:00pm. There are also select Sunday evening performances, as well as select Wednesday matinees. Select Saturday matinees begin at 2:00pm & select Saturday twilight performances begin at 4:00pm. Visit http://www.ahtkc.com/ for a complete schedule. Tickets have an attached coupon for discounts at several Crown Center restaurants on the date of the performance. Parking is inside, secure and free with theatre validation. Handicapped seating and assistive listening devices are available. An ASL interpreted performance is scheduled for December 17, 2008 at 7:30pm. HOLIDAY GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE NOW AVAILABLE.