A Tuna Christmas at The Palm Cabaret and Bar Gary R. Beck - Beck's Best
December 7, 2015

They're Back! I did not realize how much I missed the Tuna, Texas clan, a conservative, Bible Belt and redneck slice of Americana. Now, what a way to kick off the Holiday season with their return making us roar with laughter and shake our heads in disbelief. Everyone should visit The Palm but be aware that not all people from the United States think in their manner.

We fell in love with "Greater Tuna" last season making it one of the top shows of 2014-2015, having been extended three times, and now we get festive watching the characters' antics during the Holiday season. Tracy Parks and Chaz Weathers did an incredible job starring in last year's monumental success, cheering and telling all our friends resulting in ticket demand. This season, Tracy's brother Terry Dale Parks, film actor with thirty-some releases on his resumé, joins the Tuna, Texas craziness. It has been a brotherly dream to perform together in "Tuna" again, having done so in their youth, most likely a mere few years ago.
             
This play in the series was centered on these rural folk celebrating Christmas [yes, no PC here, not Holiday] with decorating Christmas trees and hosting front yard displays which esteemed judges observe and choose the lucky winner who can wear the award as a badge of success. When the scene changed, a new Christmas tree appeared which varied from a straggly plastic tree with tossed icicles [bad side is not to the back], one reportedly with pie pans and multi-colored lights and my favorite, a white tree adorned with grenades and pistols from the owner's used gun shop: "If our guns can't kill it, it's dead."  "Arming yourself will give you a 'Holly Jolly Christmas' and the robber a 'Silent Night'."
                                          
This is the second installment of the "Tuna" series written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard. The play focuses on small-town, Southern life and attitudes with a laughable holiday twist, all taking place in the fictional "third smallest town in Texas." All of the plays are notable in that two men play the entire cast of 18-20 eccentric characters of both genders and various ages and some animals. 'A Tuna Christmas' debuted in 1989. A Southern friend told me he recognized people in his hometown from the individuals presented. Laugh or cry?
                 
Terry plays Vera Carp, the town's Bible-toting smut chaser [no "Round Young Virgin"], while Tracy portrays Bertha Bumiller ["This Christmas is gonna take ten years off my life"] and Aunt Pearl Burras. There are many familiar recurring characters along some new ones.

The best skit I feel was a pair of waitresses, Helen and Anita, at their diner. The girl patter was hysterical and touched many a note, reminding me of past restaurant profession. They were actually asked by their boss to work on Christmas Day!

This is the place to jump head-first into the Holiday Spirit. Do not miss this fine production. Since it is fast-paced and full of audience laughter, repeat visits are in order to miss not even one word.
Directed by Tracy Parks.

A Tuna Christmas will be presented through January 19, 2016 with 7:00 and 9:30 performances.

Tickets may be purchased at the Palm Cabaret Box Office, Olas Altas 508 in Old Town Vallarta (opens daily at 10:00 am), telephone is (322) 222-0200, or you may purchase tickets online at Vallarta Tickets.