Portal Players' Dramatic Society's presentation of Greater Tuna hasn't even hit the stage in Port Alberni yet, and the amateur theatre company is already raking in the awards.
Greater Tuna was Portal Players' entry into the North Island Zone Drama Festival, which concluded May 18 at the Sid Williams Theatre in Courtenay.
Elliot Drew won best male actor for his performance in the award-winning play by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard. He teamed up with Terry Switzer and Peter Wienold to create a combined 20 characters — much of the population of Tuna, Texas the 'third smallest town'.
The play, a withering satire and affectionate comment on small-town Southern life and attitudes, is a tour de farce of quick change artistry, costumes and characterizations faster than a jack rabbit running from a coyote. Greater Tuna is the first of four comedic plays in a series, but is a darker farce compared to the other three.
Portal Players also won best costume design and best backstage co-ordination awards at the drama festival, as well as a certificate of merit for props for Denis Levasseur.
Greater Tuna comes to the Capitol Theatre stage this week, with night performances Thursday, May 24, Friday, May 25 and Saturday, May 26 at 7:30 pm. and again May 31, June 1–2. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.atthecapitol.org or at the door. Advance tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for students and seniors (tickets are $3 more at the door).
The Capitol box office can be reached by phone at 250-723-1195.