Sonoma Arts Live presents Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me A Tenor on stage now through June 16. The play is a fun-filled farce with the usual elements of mistaken identity, exaggeration and physical comedy.
The story takes place in 1934 during the Cleveland Opera’s tenth anniversary celebration. The stage is set up like a hotel suite-divided in half with a sitting room on one side and a bedroom on the other. One door joins the two rooms but there are five other doors (entry, closet and bathroom) that become central to the story’s humor (typical with farce).
As the play begins, the Opera’s general manager, Henry (John Browning) and his assistant, Max (Robert Nelson) enter the suite reserved for the great Tito Merelli (Michael Coury Murdock), a virtuoso coming from out of town to perform at the gala.
Henry’s daughter Maggie (Katie Kelley) soon joins them but then disappears into the bathroom to hide until she can be alone with her idol Merelli.
Merelli finally arrives accompanied by his voluptuous Italian wife Maria (Tika Moon). Already jealous and suspicious of her husband’s infidelity, she explodes after discovering Maggie hiding in the bathroom. She leaves–driving her husband to panic right before his big performance.
As the story develops, the main characters find a way to keep the show on track–with the help of a hotel bellhop (Kevin Allen), the Opera Guild’s President (Kim Williams), and a sexy star soprano (Tara Roberts).
Larry Williams (Director) does a fine job leading an extraordinary cast including Murdock who is delightful in the role of the Italian tenor Merelli. Moon’s stage presence is impressive when she brings out the rage, scorn (and humor) of her character Maria. Other stand out performances include Nelson’s heartfelt portrayal of Max and Roberts’ seductive charm as Diana.
Allison Sutherland’s spectacular costumes and Carl Jordan’s vintage set design add much to the production.
Kudos to Jaime Love (Artistic Director) and everyone involved creating a memorable show—not to be missed!
Coming up next at Sonoma Arts Live is The Prom, directed by Jonathen Blue, July 12-28.
