Franklin County natives Bryan Hall and Charlton James will take the stage next week performing the 90-minute, two-person comedic skit of “Greater Tuna.”

“Charlton and I chose this show last year for an experimental dinner theatre evening with the (University of North Alabama’s) Culinary Arts Program. We chose this show because we knew people wanted to laugh and thought it would be a great success for this area,” Hall said.

“The show wound up being sold out, and due to limited seating a lot of people didn’t get to see it at all, so that’s when we decided to revive the show to kick off our

summer season.”

The show’s history began as a simple party skit based on a political cartoon more than 20 years ago in Austin, Texas.

Talented creators Joe Sears, Jaston Williams and Ed Howard were the imaginative authors that parlayed the sketch into a critically acclaimed production which has entertained audiences across the country ever since.

“Greater Tuna” is a hilarious play in which two actors play more than 20 different characters in a fast-paced, rip-roaring look at ‘Small Town America’ that Hall and James claim should provide fun for the whole family.

“I absolutely love doing this show. I was made for this kind of comedy,” Hall said.

“Charlton is a great actor and one of my closest friends, which makes for quite a magical exchange onstage, which is essential in a two-person show like this.

“The show has an incredibly broad audience, however it is especially fun for those of us that live in small town America, because you already know these characters, they all represent your friends and family.”

Hall and James hope to bring that “side-splitting” comedy to life on the University of North Alabama’s campus in Florence inside the GUC performance center.

Originally presented last December for one sold-out performance, this production of “Greater Tuna” is being revived by UNA Summer Theatre Producer Will Stutts for four performances only, Thursday through Saturday June 24-26 at 7:30 p.m, with a matinee at 2 p.m.  on Sunday June 27.

“The most difficult part of a two man show like this are the insanely quick costume changes, however after everything is planned and rehearsed it moves quite nicely,” Hall said.

Tickets are $15 for the general public and $5 for students available at the door. 

As seating is very limited, advance purchase of tickets is encouraged on campus at the Athletic Department box office at Flowers Hall.

For more information including the other productions in this summer’s line-up call 256-765-4275.

orvisit www.UNA.edu/summertheatre.