While the size of the crowd for the opening Friday of "Greater Tuna" at the Butler Little Theatre was disappointing, the performances were most definitely not.

The audience toasted this tale of Tuna as being one of the best BLT shows in years. Consensus at the exit was that no one could have played the two characters better than BLT veterans Thom Bennett and Bob Meals.

"Greater Tuna" is the first of a trilogy by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard.

What began as a party skit based on a political cartoon more than 20 years ago in Austin, Texas, has become a critically acclaimed production which has entertained audiences across the country, and the Butler audience is no exception.

"Greater Tuna" is a hilarious comedy about Texas' third smallest town and a day in the life of its radio station OKKK. The bizarre band of citizens that make up this town were portrayed by only two performers, Bennett and Meals, making this satire on life in rural America even more delightful. The duo portrayed the 20 townsfolk of Tuna along with three non-human characters: a dog, an extraterrestrial, and a reporter from Houston.

This is the third time Meals and Bennett took the stage as the Tuna Talkers. They did this show in 1993 at a theater in Evans City and then again met for the second in the series, "A Tuna Christmas" in 1997.

Bennet donned the hat of Thurston Wheelis and the wigs of Bertha Bumiller, and Pearl Burras. His performances as the ladies of Tuna were amazing. It was hard to believe a man was behind those feminine wiles and voices.

Bennet's voice also was given a workout with Rev. Spike and Sheriff Given. His eulogy for the judge was most amazing and full of more sayings than a restaurant full of fortune cookies. It was most enjoyable.

Meals, who also took his turns in the dresses, starred as Didi Snavely, Charlene Bumiller and Vera Carp. His darkest and most comedic character was that of the twisted Stanley Bumiller, who appeared to perhaps have been the most cunning of them all.

While the set is limited and props are improvised. the rapid fire dialogue and progress of the show is in the hands of the dressers in charge of getting the men into their characters.

"This show is unique in that each actor has their own dresser in the wings. The dressers are responsible for getting the turnaround, sometimes in seconds," said Shirley Ann Minehart, one of the shows producers.

Believable performances in the character sketches allowed the audience the luxury of losing themselves in the red-necked Tuna town to witness the skeletons in the closets and the prayers of the faithful and the unfaithful.

From the breakfast table to the funeral home, the energetic cast pulled off a most challenging stage show.

You may be able to hold the mayo for this Tuna, but you won't be able to hold your applause.

The show is under the direction of Dale Vanlaningham.