Warm yourself up in the middle of February with red hot hilarity. The Garfield Center for the Arts (GCA) has announced that the gleefully over-the-top comedy “Greater Tuna” will replace “The Farnsworth Invention” as its season opening production in February. Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays, February 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 8 p.m. and Sundays, February 16 and 23 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for regular admission, $15 for seniors and military, and $10 for students, and can be purchased by calling the box office at 410-810-2060 or online at garfieldcenter.org.

Dr. Melvin Rapelyea is the sponsor for this production of “Greater Tuna,” written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard. “Greater Tuna” is a satirical view on life and the trappings of narrow-minded attitudes in rural, small town America. We take a trip to Tuna, the third smallest town in Texas, where the Lions Club is too liberal, and Patsy Cline never dies. What do Arles Struvie, Thurston Wheelis, Didi Snavely, Aunt Pearl, Petey Fisk, Reverend Spikes, and Vera Carp have in common? Thanks to breakneck, quick-change costuming, all of the characters we meet in Tuna – men, women, children and even animals – are performed by only two comedic actors.

This affectionate and uproarious play debuted in Austin, Texas, in the fall of 1981, and had its off-Broadway premiere in 1982. The original production starred two of its writers, Jaston Williams and Joe Sears, who reprised their roles and added new characters to the additional installments “A Tuna Christmas” (1989), “Red, White and Tuna” (1998) and “Tuna Does Vegas” (2008). The PG rated “Tuna” shows have been some of the most frequently produced and well-loved plays performed throughout the country for decades.

Inhabiting the multiple costumes and characterizations of the denizens of Tuna are local actor favorites Bradley Chaires and Nic Carter. The production is directed and scenic designed by GCA’s Executive Director Steven Arnold. Costume Designer is Barbi Bedell; Technical Designer/Director and Set Builder is Butch Clark; Sound Effects and Recordings Designer is Mark Sullivan; Sound Board Operator is Speedy Christopher; Wig Styling is by Meghan Harrington; Quick-change dressers are Shannon Whitaker and Natalie Lane, and administrative, technical and event support come from GCA resident staff members Meghan Ferster, Nic Carter and Paul Cambardella. Francoise Sullivan’s Moo Productions provide professional graphic, marketing and web support, and the GCA’s amazing community of volunteers will staff the front of house and box office.

The Garfield Center for the Arts is located at 210 High Street in the Arts & Entertainment District of historic Chestertown. The mission is to invigorate the cultural life of our community by nurturing, celebrating and supporting arts and artists through performance and education. Since its inception in 2002, the Prince Theatre Foundation has enjoyed success in various community endeavors such as producing top of the line theatrical and musical productions and providing quality educational, enriching experiences in the arts for children and adults. The Garfield Center for the Arts also collaborates with Kent County Schools to provide enrichment opportunities for elementary, middle and high school students. GCA also partners with over a dozen community organizations for fundraising and other events that benefit the entire community.

Both the theatre, and the foundation that calls it home, are recognized and valued as a unique community center for the arts on the Upper Eastern Shore. To learn more about the GCA, visit www.garfieldcenter.org, facebook.com/garfieldcenterforthearts, twitter.com/GarfieldCenter or instagram.com/garfieldcenterforthearts.