In its selection of "Greater Tuna" by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, Compass Rose Theater has made a winning choice for its season closer, guaranteed to please fans of this 1981 show filled with eccentric personalities.
In her program notes, Compass Rose founding artistic director Lucinda Merry-Browne notes that the 20-character comedy can be played by a cast of 20 or by as few as two people. The latter is the case in this production: Two actors play all the roles — 10 characters each — taking on both genders and three or four generations.
Explaining her choice to end the 2014-2015 season with a comedy, Merry-Browne said the troupe felt it was "time to laugh after the deep introspection and density" of Compass Rose's previous production, "Murder in the Cathedral."
"When 'Greater Tuna' is performed by two actors, it becomes a tour de force in versatility, timing and imaginative work," she said. "This show is a wallop of a comedy with a laugh a minute."
Having directed both "Murder in the Cathedral" and "Cats" this season, Merry-Browne has demonstrated her empathy with both the poet and philosopher T.S. Eliot.
In "Greater Tuna," she has cast two versatile actors — Peter Boyer and Michael Harris — whom she also directed in performances at Bay Theatre.
Boyer and Harris take on roles as inhabitants of the mythical town of Tuna, Texas, beginning with inept local radio personalities who banter with each other for nearly an hour before realizing they are not on the air.
Harris creates town drunk and UFO enthusiast R.R. Snavely, as well as Bertha Bumiller, a neglected wife and the mother of three confused teenagers. We meet Bertha as she awaits a Houston reporter who is to interview her about Smut Snatchers — an organization advocating removal of offensive words from textbooks and plays — including "questionable" works such as "Romeo and Juliet" and "Barefoot in the Park."
Harris also intrigues as the fiendish Pearl Burris, who regularly poisons dogs and later flaunts her curves while attending the viewing for her old flame, the dearly departed town judge. Harris revs up the hilarity as the Reverend Spikes, who eulogizes the judge with an inane sermon made up of a series of cliches and insipid movie quotes.
Equally skilled at summoning outlandish characters — complete with speedy costume changes — Boyer excels at creating the adolescent and teen Bumiller siblings: young, sensitive Jody, who has eight dogs as companions; sister Charlene, a high school senior without hope of realizing her goal to become a cheerleader; and brother Stanley, whose reform school incarceration has turned him into a homicidal criminal.
Boyer stretches to comic heights as prudish Vera Carp, descending from a graceful churchwoman in gorgeous spike heels to a slouching parishioner sprawled on a chair as the Reverend Spikes' eulogy sends her into a deep sleep — and increasingly contorted positions.
No intellectual challenges will intrude on the two hours spent in "Greater Tuna," but audiences will enjoy springtime laughs.
The show continues through May 10 at Compass Rose, 49 Spa Road, Annapolis, with shows Thursdays through Sundays. For showtimes and tickets, call 410-980-6662 or go to compassrosetheater.org.
Last chance for 'Phantom'
We previewed it last week, but audiences who haven't yet seen the production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's mega-hit "Phantom of the Opera" at Anne Arundel Community College have one more chance — the show closes Sunday with a 2 p.m. performance.
The requirements of the elaborate staging and lavish production requirements are fully met by the cast and crew in this production at the Robert Kauffman Theater in Pascal Center for Performing Arts in Arnold.
This is certainly among the most challenging productions yet mounted at AACC and the most professional work seen on this stage since "Peter Pan" soared in November 2002, when Robert Kauffman directed his final show before his retirement. Kauffman died in 2011.
Here, expert direction is by Douglas Brandt Byerly, chairman of the college's performing arts department. The superb music direction and conducting is by Blair Skinner, with technical directing and set design by Sean Urbantke. Other major contributions include Kristi Schaffner's choreography and Michael Klima's lighting design. Fabulous costumes are by A.T. Jones.
Most important are the students cast as leads and ensemble players — they deliver incredible acting and singing in this landmark production.
The musical tells an intriguing tale of a musical genius whose deformity forces him to live in the catacombs under the Paris Opera House. The Phantom becomes voice tutor to talented soprano Christine, helping her become leading lady of the opera.
Christine falls in love with childhood acquaintance Raoul, now a manager at the opera house. Their relationship enrages the Phantom, who terrorizes everyone while scheming to carry off Christine to his secret home below.
While everyone in this cast of 25 contributes to the production's success, special praise is due Gabe Taylor as the Phantom, Laura Sparks as Christine, Jeffrey Alter as Raoul and Emily Sergo as Carlotta.
Judy McBride, who attended the opening night performance last week, said she saw "Phantom" at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts about 30 years ago, yet was "blown away at the professionalism of this college production. The voices were superb, and the orchestra is excellent. I give the show an A-plus."
For that opening night, an enthusiastic audience of more than 300 signaled similar approval, and box office manager Joy Ajello reported sales were brisk for succeeding performances.
To check on Sunday tickets, call the box office at 410-777-2457 or boxoffice@aacc.edu.