Laughter has been heard in the Palace Theatre since late July’s auditions for the show “Greater Tuna.” The show itself is set in the early 1980s and has a roster of characters audience members will embrace and find rich humor in. The two-act play is at once an affectionate comment on small-town, Southern life and attitudes but also a withering satire of same.

The show was originally presented with two men portraying 21 hilarious characters. The AOP Players have a cast of 11 portraying the multiple characters. Some cast members portray one character, others present two or three characters each. The play centers around Radio Station OKKK and their presentation of the news throughout the day. The audience will be led on a journey to meet several stereotypical archetypes within any small town. The play can be a little irreverent and politically incorrect, but presented in a very humorous way. The show when it was presented Off Broadway met with reviews such as: “Howlingly funny,” from Variety magazine, and “The audience all but exploded the theatre with laughter,” from the New York Post.

The show will be presented Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12 or $10 with a cash discount and can be purchased at the theater, by calling the theater at 252-946-2504, or by visiting AOP’s website: www.artsofthepamlico.org, going to the Events Calendar and selecting the date you wish to purchase tickets for.

“Greater Tuna” is a hilarious comedy, but it is not intended for young children. So grab your cowboy hat and boots and mosey on down to the theater for one great show!

Looking for arts and cultural close to home for your kids this fall? Art Beat shares information about programs and efforts of your regional arts council, Arts of the Pamlico, and arts events at the Historic Turnage Theatre and across the county.

AOP’s Historic Turnage Theatre is located at 150 W. Main St., Washington, NC 27889. To learn more about this event or future events, please visit AOP’s website at www.artsofthepamlico.org.

Written by Debra Torrence, AOP’s executive director, and Crystal Holman, AOP’s social media and weekend coordinator.