Theatre Huntsville brings Ken Ludwig’s comedy, Lend Me a Tenor to the VBC Playhouse this weekend. If you like comedies, then this is one show that you’ll want to make sure you get tickets for!

Director John Hancock explains the appeal of the show.

 “’Lend Me a Tenor’ is not only one of Ken Ludwig’s best written plays, it’s an audience favorite.  The thing that makes this play so popular to those who see it, is that it is, start to finish, a laugh a minute.”

The Story

In this zany farce, set in 1934 at the Cleveland Grand Opera House, world famous tenor Tito Morelli is set to appear for one night only as ‘Otello’. Through a hilarious series of mishaps, Tito is given a double dose of tranquilizers and passes out.

Believing him dead, opera manager Saunders persuades his assistant Max to don Tito’s costume and fool the audience. By intermission, Tito wakes and gets into his other costume for Act II. As two Otello’s are running around pursued by women in lingerie, policemen, and autograph seekers, the farce spins wildly out of control both onstage and off.

What the Critics Say

A sensation on Broadway and in London’s West End, Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me a Tenor is guaranteed to leave audiences teary eyed with laughter. But don’t take my word for it, here’s what just a few of the professionals have to say about the show:

“A rollercoaster of fun for everybody in the building…a solid, constantly accelerating snowball of a comedy!” -Phoenix News Times

“One of two great farces by a living writer.” -The New York Times

“Ken Ludwig’s 1989 Tony-winning comedy is one of only two classic farces by a living playwright, the other being Michael Frayn’s frenetic “Noises Off”” -Daily News

“The most inventive, original farce in a long time …” -Punch

“A furiously paced comedy with more than a touch of the Marx brothers … A marvelous combination of wonderful farcical moments and funny lines.” -Time Out

“Free flowing honest-to-goodness unforced farce.” -New York Magazine

“A rib tickling comedy.” -The New York Post

“Screamingly funny!” -CBS Radio

Local Production

Ok all those critics were talking about big, fancy Broadway or West End productions, so you may be wondering what that has to do with the production that you’ll be seeing at the VBC Playhouse, right? I’ll let the show’s director John Hancock answer that one.

“I know most folks in the Tennessee Valley find it hard to believe that a ‘local’ company can muster theatre that can hold its own with shows produced in major cities… but most of those folks have probably never seen some of our Huntsville theatre community productions… much less those produced by Theatre Huntsville.

“We don’t ‘settle’ for (what we consider to be) ‘typical community theatre.’ We expect more of our production teams… actors, directors and technicians alike… and it shows in the high entertainment value we’re able to provide to our patrons. All we’d ask—of the folks who have never been to one of our productions—is to come see one. If you’re not impressed… fair enough… at least you gave us a shot. But, try us again in a year or two… because we’re constantly striving to improve our quality… and to EARN your patronage,” John Hancock, director.

Awards

• 2 Tony Awards – for Best Direction of a Play and Best Actor in a Play (Philip Bosco)
• 5 Tony Award Nominations including Best Play
• 3 Outer Critics Circle Awards – for Best Set, Best Costume and Best Lighting Design
• 4 Drama Desk Awards – for Outstanding Actor in a play (Philip Bosco), Best Costume Design, Best Director and Outstanding Featured Actress in a play (Tovah Feldshuh)
• 2 Drama Desk Award Nominations
• Oliver Award for Comedy of the Year (nominee)

Cast and Crew

Theatre Huntsville’s production of Lend Me a Tenor is directed by John Hancock and assisted by Gina White and Kailey Looper.

The cast includes Raye Bonham (Maggie), Fabiani Duarte (Max), John Seigh (Saunders), Shawn Bednarczyk (Maria), Carlos Bofill (Tito), Jerry Fishback (Bellhop), Holly Dale (Diana), and Elaine Hubbard (Julia).

The Production staff includes Producer Mark B. Moore, Technical Director/Scenic Designer Eric Kress, Set Dresser Melanie Bernal, Costume Designers Liz Baker & Shawn Bednarczyk, Stage Manager/Properties Wanda Whitmer, Make-Up Designer Laura Noblett, Sound Designer Sarah Harris, and Lighting Design by Cynthia Meyer.

About Theatre Huntsville

Theatre Huntsville is a non-Equity, non-profit community theatre dedicated to presenting quality productions for the enrichment of the community and is a member of the Alabama Conference of Theatre and the American Association of Community Theatres. Click here to learn more about Theatre Huntsville.

Event Details

Show Dates: 
May 11-12, 17-19, 2012 @ 7:30 p.m
May 13 & 19, 2012 @ 2 p.m.
Location: Von Braun Center Playhouse
Cost:  $18 for adults and $15 for seniors (65+), students, and active duty military. Group rates available
Buy Your Tickets: Online, by calling the box office at 256-536-0807
This show is recommended for teens and adults

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