'Tuna' Surprise

Joe Sears and Jaston Williams to receive Texas Medal of Arts

"...responsible for Didi and all the other denizens of Tuna, Tex., have gone and gotten themselves honored by the..."

Jan. 16, 2013 Arts Post by Robert Faires

The Secret History of Tuna

Tuna isn't the only Texas town with which actor-writers Jaston Williams and Joe Sears can be closely identified. Austin has played a significant role in the development of their town, and in return Sears and Williams have changed the face of the capital city.

"...and love Williams and Sears as the creators of Tuna, Texas, and as the physical manifestations of its many..."

April 12, 2002 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

A Tuna Almanac: Facts About the Shows and Their Creators

Facts about the Tuna shows and their creators, and a guide to the characters in the plays.

"...Director Ed Howard bankrolled the first production of Greater Tuna with his life savings: $10,000...."

April 12, 2002 Arts Feature

A Tuna Christmas

After 17 Decembers performing 'A Tuna Christmas' literally thousands of times all over the country, do the folks involved have some holiday tales to tell?

"...Zilker Park Tree, the 37th Street lights, and A Tuna Christmas. Every year since 1989, Austin's favorite sons, Joe..."

Dec. 30, 2005 Arts Feature by Barry Pineo

Who's Who in Tuna

"...The three Tuna plays feature a total of 29 citizens of Tuna..."

April 12, 2002 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Big Tuna, Big Easy, Big Decisions

On the wake of BountyGate

"...have changed the bylaws in the past for the greater good of the bylaws, not for a person. We..."

April 5, 2012 Sports Post by Alex Dunlap

Starting Over

For Tuna creators Jaston Williams and Joe Sears, the fourth time is the charm

"...one expected there to be a fourth trip to Tuna...."

Oct. 26, 2007 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Trip to Bountiful

The Third Visit to Tuna Still Yields a Profusion of Delights

"...Joe Sears (left) as Aunt Pearl Burras and Jaston..."

May 15, 1998 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

An Angel for AMT

The recent fiscal crisis for Austin Musical Theatre threatened to keep the company from mounting any future productions, but producer Charles Duggan has come to AMT's rescue, offering to produce a week-long retrospective of musical numbers from the company's first 15 productions.

"...Duggan, the Austin-based theatrical entrepreneur who has produced the Greater Tuna tours for years, as well as shows for..."

Nov. 29, 2002 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Tru Artistry

With Jay Presson Allen's Tru, performer Jaston Williams takes a vacation from the little town of Tuna, Texas, with which he is so closely identified, to portray celebrated writer Truman Capote, and in the process reminds us what an actor of range and skill he is.

"...he and Joe Sears launched a little comedy called Greater Tuna, and they were so good in it, so..."

Sept. 22, 2000 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Let Him Entertain You

Why producer Charles Duggan is staging the biggest holiday spectacular Austin's ever seen

"...home front, he's best known as the producer of Greater Tuna, A Tuna Christmas, and Red, White and Tuna..."

Dec. 25, 2009 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Red, White and Tuna

Even for a Tuna virgin, 'Red, White and Tuna' is a viciously funny excursion into small-town Texas politics, relationships, and heated gossip

"...Red, White and Tuna..."

April 29, 2005 Arts Review by Heather Barfield Cole

Exhibitionism

God's Trombones: Say Amen, Somebody

"...one day soon.-- Mary Jane Garza RED, WHITE AND TUNA: THEY KNOW US SO WELL..."

May 28, 1999 Arts Review

Telling His Own Story Fearlessly

With his theatrical memoir "I'm Not Lying," Jaston Williams proves there is more to the man than Tuna.

"...logged so much stage time playing these figures in Greater Tuna, A Tuna Christmas, and Red, White and Tuna..."

Aug. 1, 2003 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Articulations

The folks in Tuna offer support to Austin Musical Theatre students, Austin's Santa finds his Mrs. Claus, and the city seeks Art in Public Places panelists.

"...Tuna Helper..."

March 29, 2002 Arts Column by Robert Faires

... And the 'West' is History

How Big State Productions' little monologue show changed Austin theatre

"...modest attention, certainly nothing on the order of a Greater Tuna – at that point, four-years-old and already keeping..."

April 7, 2006 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

The Storyteller

Nobody spins a yarn like Jaston Williams

"...know of this fine actor is his work on Greater Tuna and its sequels – and fear not, Tuna-ficionados,..."

Oct. 8, 2010 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Articulations

In the wake of the horrible tragedy at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, some words of comfort and encouragement from Tuna producer Charles Duggan.

"...night's showing of the touring show THWACK!, and the Greater Tuna Corporation canceled the Wednesday and Thursday evening performances..."

Sept. 14, 2001 Arts Column by Robert Faires

Articulations

Liz Smith writes up Zach Scott, Jaston Williams plans new acting projects, and ArtPlex undergoes a name change.

"...a brief break from spring tour duties with the Greater Tuna Corporation. Williams' fans can count on seeing him..."

March 23, 2001 Arts Column by Robert Faires

Cowboy Noises

Jaston Williams' tales from his life are heartwarming and surprisingly poetic

"...Enter Jaston Williams, of Greater Tuna fame, who looks along the spectrum of his..."

Oct. 15, 2010 Arts Review by Avimaan Syam

Articulations

A painful week for friends of the theatre with the passing of educator and director Gil Sharp and producer, director, and actor Don Phillips, Jr.

"...Yes, Vera Carp, the most fashionable matron of tiny Tuna, Texas, has thrown her pillbox hat into the ring..."

April 11, 2003 Arts Column by Robert Faires

Articulations

The Texas Commission for the Arts gives Austinites a chance to see the state's best artists for free, and praise from the out-of-town press for local playwrights Cyndi Williams and Joe Sears and Jaston Williams

"...and Jaston Williams took their 20th anniversary tour of Greater Tuna to San Francisco, one of their homes away..."

Aug. 2, 2002 Arts Column by Robert Faires

Under-Stated

"...as Texas plays sprang up like bluebonnets and won greater and greater national attention. Quick on the heels of..."

July 2, 1999 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Who Wants to Be a Theatre Geek?

A quiz to find out who knows what about theatre in Austin.

"...17. Greater Tuna, which has been to New York and just..."

Dec. 1, 2000 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Articulations

Payne Nominees

"...Seasons Hotel. Tickets are $25. For info, call 499-8388. Tuna Fantastick Star thespians Jaston Williams and Joe Sears have..."

Aug. 23, 1996 Arts Column by Robert Faires

The 'West' Shall Rise Again

A new generation creates its own take on the show that changed Austin theatre

"...It wasn't all comedy (like that earlier homegrown hit Greater Tuna), but it wasn't all drama either. The cast,..."

April 7, 2006 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Jaston Williams

Before 'Tuna,' he rode with 'Maid Marian in a Stolen Car'

"...knows we've loved hearing this co-creator and co-star of Greater Tuna and its sequels chart his life in the..."

Aug. 28, 2014 Arts Post by Robert Faires

Seeing Life’s Brevity in the Art Poles of South First

Street art goes vertical in South Austin

"...to make magic with it. (See Slacker, El Mariachi, Greater Tuna, Rude Mechs, et al.) In the tradition of..."

Sept. 2, 2016 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

All Over Creation: I Was Meant for the Stage

To learn which actors were destined for the theatre, watch how they hold the stage alone

"...all those years he spent in women's wear touring Greater Tuna and its sequels – and that's all he..."

Oct. 3, 2014 Arts Column by Robert Faires

'The Doyle and Debbie Show'

The creator of the hit country music satire reveals its Grand Ole Opry roots

"...expect in the city that birthed Esther's Follies and Greater Tuna, it fit right in. With The Doyle and..."

July 10, 2009 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

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