No String's Theatre Company's A TUNA CHRISTMAS is Coming to Town!

Reprising the roles they played last year in No String's Theatre Company's (NSTC) enormously successful production of "Greater Tuna," Las Cruces actors Algernon D'Ammassa and David Reyes star, in "A Tuna Christmas," a hilarious and entertaining comedy which opens November 21, 2014 at the Black Box Theatre (BBT), 430 N. Downtown Mall in Las Cruces.

The play is the second installment of the four-play "Tuna" series, written by Jaston Williams, Ed Howard and Joe Sears. NSTC presented the first play, "Greater Tuna," in August 2013 to rave reviews and packed houses. "We couldn't wait to do the 'Tuna' sequel as our winter holiday show," said director Ceil Herman, who co-owns BBT with her husband, Peter."Algernon and David will play a wide range of characters in 'A Tuna Christmas' just as they did in 'Greater Tuna,' making costumes and costume changes one of the biggest challenges and most delightful aspects of the show. Algernon, as Thurston Wheelis, and David, as Arles Stuvie, return us to 'Tuna,' the third smallest town in Texas, as they broadcast all the latest news and insights on 275-watt station OKKK and update us on preparations for the annual Christmas Yard Display Contest. We hear about the Tuna Humane Society, the Tuna Little Theatre and its much troubled production of 'A Christmas Carol', Klan 249, Didi's Used Weapons, the taxidermist, the Tastee-Krème café, and many others," said Herman.

"David and I are enjoying spending time with these characters again," said D'Ammassa, who has been seen at BBT in "Crime and Punishment," "The 39 Steps" and "Private Fears in Public Places", and recently directed NSTC's production of "Terra Nova." "This play develops the characters a bit more than the first, and our work on this show has been to find the heart of this play. Beneath the silliness this is a play about love, family, growing up and moving on," he said.

"It's great getting to work on 'A Tuna Christmas' with Algernon," said Reyes, who has been seen at BBT in "The 39 Steps," "The Sisters Rosensweig," "Terra Nova" and "Into The Woods." "We will be bringing back some of the characters from last year's show and adding some new ones as well! That's the challenging part! Coming up with new voices, walks and silly quirks! Of course, it will be funny but also 'clavicle,' with touching moments that will make you smile, wipe a tear away and call your loves ones after you leave to say, 'Merry Christmas! I love you,"

Peter Herman is the show's scenic and lighting designer, Gabriele and Lara Teich designed the many costumes for the production, Karen Ross in stage manager, Erin Williams is assistant stage manager, and Anna Lopez is the light and sound board operator.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays, November 21-22 and 28-29 and December 5-6 at 8:00 p.m. Sunday matinees are November 30 and December 7 at 2:30 p.m. There is a Thursday performance on December 4 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $12.00 regular admission, $10.00 students and seniors over 65.All seats on Thursday are $8.00. For reservations and more information, call (575) 523-1223.

In addition, the Humane Society of Southern New Mexico will host a benefit performance of "A Tuna Christmas" on Sunday, November 23 at 2:30 pm. Tickets for this performance are $15.00. For additional information about this benefit please call (575) 523-8020 or (575) 522-2529.

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