Long-time Friends

Jaston Williams and Joe Sears were at the theatre most of today running through some of the new material they’ve worked into their current show, Tuna Does Vegas.  They head off to Washington DC next week for a run at the Warner Theatre.  They’ll be back in Austin for an encore performance over the Thanksgiving weekend.  I can’t wait to see what new material they introduce.  It’s hard to believe these Tuna characters have been hanging around the Paramount for nearly 30 years.

I visited with Jaston briefly to discuss a possible event honoring Cactus Pyror that is in the works.   Cactus is a long-time friend of theatre and our youth outreach program (Skinny’s Gallery) is named in honor of his father, Richard “Skinny” Pryor.  Skinny owned a movie  theatre in Austin and was known for his generosity with the children of Austin.

The event planning committee includes KLBJ’s Don Pryor and Mark Ceasar.

Standing O

While you are in the audience giving Jaston and Joe a much deserved standing ovation, I am quietly in the lobby doing the same for my wonderful staff and volunteers.  Encore!  Encore!  Lots of work goes on behind the scenes as well as on the stage and I am delighted it has all come together for a show as fantastic as Tuna Does Vegas.

They’re back…

  

… with a brand new show!  Opening night of Tuna Does Vegas is finally here.  Even if you haven’t seen the others, you will still love this one.  You absolutely cannot live in Austin, Texas and remain a Tuna virgin!!!  Get a ticket and come see Jaston and Joe take on Vegas.  Opening week festivities include a band with a female Elvis impersonator as well as the “Winningest Wheel in Austin!”

$350 per hour and then some Tuna…

       

I just got the show notes for Wynton Marsalis and we are in for a real treat.   He is planning almost two hours of music for us. So now the high bid from Roxann seems like a bargain to me.  Tell you what, in addition to the 4 front row seats to Wynton (and the free drinks), I’ll throw in two seats to the October 23 opening night of Tuna Does Vegas to the winning bidder….  just leave a comment with your bid before 5:00 Wednesday.  I wanna see this thing get to a $1,000.

Speaking of Tuna, Jaston and Joe thrilled the downtown crowd that showed up today for the press conference announcing a two-week extension for the new show.  We were treated to a visit from two of the old characters (Vera and Pearl) as well as two of the new characters (Anna Conda and Schotz).  Both stayed afterwards to visit and give autographs to fans.  

By the way, Joe, per your question: it was a few years ago (before me) but he threw a quarter at a patron because he thought 25 cents was a lousy tip! I believe he said “You need this more than me” as he threw it.  Wish I had been there…

Tonight Century Club members were treated to a private party on stage and I have to say, with the fire curtain down, the backstage transformed into a really cool, hip, clubby ( is clubby a word???) space.   We should do that more often….pictures coming soon…

So Kathy Griffin told Jesus to “suck it”… well I guess I should get ready for the negative emails if she returns to the Paramount.

Remember, to bid on the Wynton tickets, simply leave your bid amount as a comment. High bid on Wednesday at 5:00 wins. Bid must be confirmed before tickets are issued. Winner notified by email. Bid is for 4 front row seats to Wynton Marsalis at the Paramount on September 20. Free drinks included so plan to cab it!  Also 2 tickets to Tuna…

$700 seats and Free Entertainment

 

Roxann, your bid still stands.  The seats will be yours unless someone does one of those nasty little EBay last second bids that prevents me from getting that rare, limited-edition Beanie Baby every time…  Ooops.  Sorry this isn’t about me is it?

Just wanted to let everyone know that the cast of Tuna Does Vegas (both of them) will be hosting a free press conference and performance in front of the Paramount tomorrow at 11AM.  If you are downtown, it will be worth the trip to get a glimpse of Austin’s own Jaston Williams and Joe Sears doing what they do best!  It looks like we will be extending the run of their new show – you heard it here first.

Remember, if you want to get in on the bidding for Wynton Maralis front row tickets, simply leave your bid amount as a comment to this post.  High bid on Wednesday at 5:00 wins.  Bid must be confirmed before tickets are issued.  Winner notified by email.   Bid is for 4 front row seats to Wynton Marsalis at the Paramount on September 20.  Free drinks included so plan to cab it!

Comments now closed on this post.  To bid, go to the most recent post.

Here’s looking at you…

  

So I am ready for Dame Edna at the Paramount in January.  I got these glasses in prepartion.  Now, if you are not familiar with the Dame Edna Experience, then I quess this picture looks pretty ridiculous.  Actually, I quess it looks ridiculous no matter what.  (I can’t believe I posted it on the net!)  Anyway, tickets to all our shows go on sale September 5… unless you are a donor/subscriber -you can order tickets now.

You know, these glasses could also work for Tuna Does Vegas.  Speaking of Tuna… I chatted with Jaston Williams this week.  He and Joe are back from their  successful run at the Grand Opera House.  Jaston told me they are upgrading the sets and making some changes to a few scenes based on how it played out in Galveston.  I loved what I saw there,  so this only means Jaston is keeping his promise about the Austin premiere - it has to be perfect for Austin because this is home.  

I love that we have Jaston three times this season:  Tuna Does Vegas,  A Tuna Christmas, and Cowboy Noises.  Welcome home Jaston.  It’s going to be a great season at the Paramount!

San Antonio likes Tuna

The story ran in today’s San Antonio paper.  I hope my family knows I meant it with love…

 Here is the link.

Your feet smell like Port Arthur

If you want to know what’s up with the Port Arthur comment above, you’ll have to see Tuna Does Vegas.  It is hysterical. Congrats to Jaston and Joe who earned the standing O they got last night.

If you are a long-time Tuna fan, you’ll love seeing all the usual suspects from the third smallest town in Texas.  If you’re new to the show, it might take you a bit to realize that only two people are playing all the characters… more than a dozen including a few new ones.  My favorite is Anna Conda (pictured above) who runs the Hula Chateux in Vegas.  The costume changes are so quick you’ll think Jaston and Joe have hired stunt doubles to help out.

On the way to Galveston I got a phone call from a reporter with the Express-News in San Antonio.  They are running a story on the show (which isn’t scheduled to play SA) a week from this Sunday.  The reporter wanted to know if I could explain why the Tuna shows, including this new one, are so popular.  I think the main reason is that all of us can relate to many of the characters.  In fact, I told the reporter that many of the characters are members of my own family – not a good idea considering most of my family lives in San Antonio and will most likely read the story… sorry Aunt Punky, Aunt Do, Aunt Gladys, Aunt Alfrene, Uncle Freddy and Uncle Glennis.  I meant it as a compliment!  (Yep, those names are not made up.)

I think another reason the shows are so popular can be credited to Jaston and Joe and their amazing ability to bring each character to life.  By the end of Tuna Does Vegas I felt like I had just spent the evening with old friends.  I can’t wait for it to come to Austin so I can see it again… and again.

BTW, my hotel in Galveston was filled with people from all over Southeast Texas who had driven in to see the show.  If you are planning to travel to Austin when it plays the Paramount, I suggest you try to get a room at either the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin (next door to the theatre) or the Radisson Hotel and Suites Austin – Town Lake (four short blocks away).    Both Hotels are good friends to the Paramount.

Oh and one more thing…having seen the show I am more convinced now than ever that Joe Sears and Gladys Hardy who calls to the Ellen Degeneres Show were separated at birth.

Galveston Oh Galveston…

Well I’m back from vacation but am heading right back out of town again… this time on official theatre business.  I’m heading down to Galveston to preview Tuna Does Vegas at the beautiful Grand Opera House.  The show has been playing to sold out houses.

Jaston and Joe have said that it is still a work in progress but the reviews have been great.  Jaston told me a few months ago that he was glad they would be able to preview it in Galveston before coming to Austin because playing the Paramount is like an opening on Broadway for them and they want everything to be perfect.

I’m seeing the show on Thursday and I’ll post my thoughts when I return.

What happened in Vegas…found its way here

photos: brenda ladd photography 

Hi. I am currently out on vacation, but I had to share some more photos I just got from our Tuna friends in Vegas!