By Joel Spears

ROGERSVILLE — Two guys, 44 costumes and a few pairs of heels might sound a little unorthodox to some folks, but to Michael “Tucson” Reeves and Chris Rhoton it sounds like “Greater Tuna.”

    “Greater Tuna” is a two-man show that will be performed by the duo at Rogersville Playhouse this weekend.  And both men said theatre goers should plan to enjoy a host of characters with plenty of small town humor.

    “Greater Tuna” is an “over-the-top, Southern comedy,” Rhoton said, set in the tiny Texas town of Tuna — Population: 120.

    The show has been part of the international theatre circuit more than 20 years, performed at venues including the White House and Kennedy Center. By 1985, it was the most produced play in the United States.

    “This is definitely a first for us,” Rhoton said. “There are so many characters and costumes and we’ve only had two weeks to put the show together.”

    But drawing inspiration for their characters was their easiest task — one close to home.

    “Growing up in Rogersville and observing people who are a lot like  these characters has helped us learn the roles more than anything,” he added.

    Reeves began acting in second grade and also participated in musicals at Cherokee High School. He has performed at Rogersville Playhouse, and under its former name TOP HAT.

    Since high school graduation last spring he starred as ‘Sky Masterson’ in Morristown Theatre Guild’s production of “Guys and Dolls,” a show directed by Rhoton.

    This fall Reeves will pursue a degree in theatre at Walters State Community College through an acting and voice scholarship and hopes to use his skills to become a professional actor on Broadway and in film.

    Rhoton, a few years ahead of his fellow thespian, also began acting at Cherokee and graduated there in 2005. He is currently a senior and theatre major at Middle Tennessee State University.

    Together, he and Reeves are working against the clock to finish pre-production on “Greater Tuna” — a project they started about a week ago, on the final day of performance for “Guys and Dolls.”

    “We haven’t put this project down since,” Reeves said.  “Plus, there’s a lot of lines and really fast costume changes.”

    To be exact there are 18 costumes for Michael, 26 for Chris and 10 characters for each man to portray. All that confusion is humorously organized into a two-hour show.

    “There’s one point where we change costumes five times in five minutes and there’s never time for a drink of water,” Rhoton laughed. “As soon as we’re done, we’re definitely ready to rest.”

    With help from a few family members and friends, Reeves and Rhoton have completed the entire production on their own, from paint and nails to costumes and characters. But those weren’t their biggest challenges.

    “The hardest thing about this production is trying not to crack up at each other during the performance,” Rhoton said.  Reeves agreed  adding that “it’s going to be interactive, too.”

    “Audience participation is an important of ‘Greater Tuna,’ so it will be as much fun for them as it will be for us,” Reeves said smiling. “We hope everybody will come see for themselves and laugh with us.”

    Three performances of “Greater Tuna” will be offered at Rogersville Playhouse beginning Friday, August 8 and Saturday, August 9 at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, August 10 showtime is 2 p.m.

    The theatre is located on the second level of the Rogersville American Legion Building on East Main Street, between Joseph Rogers Primary School and Hawkins County School System Bus Shop.

    Admission will be $5 per person and refreshments will be available, furnished by Miss Bea’s Perks and Pies.

    For more information about this or other Rogersville Playhouse shows, or to offer a financial contribution to the theatre, call (423) 921-0027.