by Ed Howard, Joe Sears and Jaston Williams

Produced by Special Arrangements with Samuel French, Inc

 From the Director …

 Welcome to Tuna, the “third-smallest town” in Texas.  A world inhabited by a host of amusing, slightly oddball, sometimes challenged, always interesting characters.  These eighteen characters are being brought to life by two amazingly talented actors.  But they aren’t doing it alone.  They are supported by an equally amazing group of dressers and technical support staff listed elsewhere in this program.  I am grateful to all of them. 

We are grateful, too, to the following people and organizations for their contributions to the production: Heather Cusmano, Marion Halvorsen, Tom Hansen, Tracy Alan Hughes and Show Palace Dinner Theater, Doug Kolb, Oak Grove Middle School Music Department, and Chris Strong and Christopher’s Salon. 

MEET THE DIRECTOR

 MURRAY MINTZ is the Executive Director of The Florida Association for Theatre Education, the state’s organization of theatre instructors at the elementary through university levels.  A retired high school theatre teacher, Murray was recognized by the Florida Theatre Conference as the state’s Secondary Theatre Educator of the year in 2002, and was listed in Who’s Who among America’s Teachers for several years.

He has directed more than 90 productions in professional, community and educational theatre, and taught acting and directing at St Petersburg College. Murray has been an international trainer and examiner for theatre teachers in the International Baccalaureate program.  He has directed several LARY Award winning productions including The Foreigner and The Lion in Winter at Francis Wilson Playhouse, and Sylvia, Noises Off and My Fair Lady at St. Petersburg Little Theatre. He is very happy to be back at FWP, working again with two very talented actors and an outstanding support crew.

 Cast of Characters

In order of appearance

Arles Struvie...................................................... Travis Moore

Thurston Wheelis............................................. Sean Brennan

Didi Snavely....................................................... Travis Moore

Harold Dean Lattimer......................................... Travis Moore

Petey Fisk........................................................... Travis Moore

Elmer Watkins.................................................. Sean Brennan

Bertha Bumiller................................................ Sean Brennan

Yippy................................................................ Sean Brennan

Jody Bumiller..................................................... Travis Moore

Stanley Bumiller................................................ Travis Moore

Charlene Bumiller.............................................. Travis Moore

Chad Hardford.................................................... Travis Moore

Leonard Childers............................................. Sean Brennan

Phinas Blye........................................................ Travis Moore

Pearl Burras..................................................... Sean Brennan

Vera Carp........................................................... Travis Moore

R.R. Snavely.................................................... Sean Brennan

Rev. Spikes...................................................... Sean Brennan

Sheriff Givens.................................................. Sean Brennan

Hank Bumiller.................................................. Sean Brennan

 MEET THE CAST and CREW

SEAN BRENNAN (Thurston) is excited and grateful to be performing again at Francis Wilson Playhouse.  Sean's last appearance here was in The Foreigner, for which he won  the 2006 LARY Award for Favorite Leading Comic Actor.  Locally he has also appeared at SPLT in Forum and No Sex Please We're British.  Sean is a three-time recipient of the Western New York Drama Critic's FOCUS AWARD for Littlechap in Stop The World I Want To Get Off, Bobby in Company, and Segius in Arms and The Man.  Tours include Matt in The Fantasticks, Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance, Judas in Godspell and Alvin in I Love My Wife.  Other Favorite roles throughout the years include Alan in Equus, Harry in Luv, Nestor/Oscar in Irma La Douce.  Sean recently moved to the Bay Area but also lives part year on Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest.  Sean's hobbies include international travel, remodeling houses, and watching old monster movies.

TRAVIS MOORE (Arles) is extremely pleased to be back at FWP where he was last seen in the LARY Award-winning production of The Foreigner.   What makes this return especially sweet is the opportunity to be working with close friends Sean Brennan and Murray Mintz.  Sean’s dynamic presence on stage and Murray’s insightful direction off, make this a production which Travis is sure each of you will enjoy.  This unique show does not work without a talented, dedicated crew. Tuna’s wonderful stage manager, Cathy Hunt, has assembled the most amazing dressers who, make no mistake, are the most valuable element to this show. Travis expresses his deepest thanks and admiration to each of them...he still isn’t sure how they do it. He also thanks Mitzi Mess for costuming these delightful citizens of Tuna. Travis also thanks his biggest fans and the loves of his life, wife Christi and daughter Savannah. “Thanks, girls...let’s do the spidey walk!” Finally, Travis thanks God for the talents He alone gives and the unique opportunities He provides to use them. Welcome to Tuna!

CATHY HUNT (Stage Manager) - This is Cathy’s second time at Francis Wilson.  She last worked at FW as the stage manager for The Odd Couple. She hopes that Francis does not ring the doorbell this time around.  She has positively enjoyed working with such a talented director and would like to thank Murray for the opportunity to work with him.  Travis and Sean are two of the most talented and fun actors to work with.  Thank you for boys for the laughter!  Jody, please clean up the dogs’ mess backstage!  Pearl, I found the strychnine!  She would like to extend a very special thank you to the Tuna Helpers for their very hard work.  They have been a godsend!  She sends her love to Mom, Dad, John, Bill, Frank, and Joey.  Thank you for your love and support.

DOUG KOLB  (sound and rehearsal documentation) – Doug made his stage debut in Francis Wilson's award winning production of The Foreigner and built the special effects used to make an actor appear to melt on stage!  In the 1970's Doug produced the Dinner Playhouse in Hollywood, California, where his neighbor was the infamous Mae West!  Doug is a retired computer executive who loves volunteering his technical expertise to local community theaters and assisting school theatrical productions. 

Patti Baldwin – Chairperson