'Greater Tuna' has five-week run at Barn II

The quick-change comedy "Greater Tuna" opens a five-week run at Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theatre beginning Thursday, Aug. 29 and continuing through Sept. 29.

Starring Barn II favorites Pat Gaik and Dan Challacombe, it will be the Barn premiere of "Greater Tuna", which was the first of four comedies featuring the "outrageous residents of Tuna, the third smallest town in Texas where the Lion's Club is too liveral and Patsy Cline never dies."

The Tuna series was written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard.

One of the things that makes this show unique is that it has 20 characters, all played by two men. Gaik and Challacombe each will play 10 characters ranging from men, women and children to dogs. "The lighting-fast costume and character changes are an experience not to be missed," said a news release from the theatre.

"This day-in-the-life look at Tuna features twenty characters, each more eccentric than the last. From local radio personalities Thurston and Arles, to beleaguered housewife Bertha with her wandering husband Hank and their three children; from the Reverend Spikes of the Coweta Baptist Church to Didi Snavely, the gravelly-voiced proprietress of "Didi's Used Weapons," this unique comedy gives its actors a banquet of comic possibilities," the release said.

The show is directed by Mary Simon, with set design by April Wyant.

Conklin's Barn II features a buffet which, on evening performances, includes four main entrees featuring prime rib and fried chicken, with salad, homemade soup and cheese spread, and a choice of four homemade desserts.

Prices for dinner and show are $33 on Thursday evening, $35 on Friday evening and Sunday brunch, and $37 on Saturday evening, including tax. No advance payment is required. Conklin's is also BYOB for wine, beer or cocktails. Glasses, ice and ice buckets are provided at no extra charge.

For reservations, call the box office at (309) 965-2545. For more information, visit the Barn on the internet at www.barn2.com.