A2CT Newcomers Help Make Zany 'Lend Me A Tenor' Sing
A2CT newcomers help make zany lend Me a Tenor' sing
REVIEW
BY ROGER LELIEVRE
The Ann Arbor News
Timing is key in farces like “Lend Me a Tenor,” Ken Ludwig’s comedy that Ann Arbor Civic Theater opened Thursday night. From start to finish, it was spot on, and so were the performances.
“Tenor” tells the zany, behind-the-scenes story of lecherous Italian tenor Tito Merelli, scheduled to perform the lead role in “Otello” at the Cleveland Opera Company. When the star fails to appear (Is he dead? Drugged?), a series of madcap misunderstandings ensue.
It’s left to Max (Krishna Rangarajan, in his Civic debut) to save the day, cajoled by his opportunistic boss Saunders (Matthew Steward) into standing in for the missing singer (Lucio Raineri, also making his Civic debut), by donning his costume and singing his role (they are rightly convinced the audience won’t know the difference). Luckily, Max is an aspiring singer. Equally as lucky: Rangarajan has had some musical training and is able to sing his parts.
As expected, mistaken identities abound. Doors slam, and there are plenty of chances for physical comedy, well executed. Fortunately, director Cassie Mann and cast keep the necessarily frenetic pace throughout.
Like Rangarajan, Raineri also has a singing background, and is perfectly believable in his role. Both pull off their Italian accents nicely. Heather Liebal is winning in her role as the starstruck Maggie (she’s another AACT newcomer - it’s nice to see so many), who is not so nuts about boyfriend Max when he is himself but is eager to throw herself at him when she thinks he’s Merelli.
Bill Charboneau, as the celebrity-stalker bellhop, is a scene-stealer (nice save with the champagne bucket). Heather Wing, who plays a leading lady willing to do anything to get ahead, has some excellent moments while Kyle Marie, as Meriell’s passionate wife, gets to play her role to the hilt, and it’s delightful.
Yes, the real and faux Merellis eventually meet, but all’s well that ends well, and in under two hours to boot.
In her program notes, director Mann said wanted to provide relief from the worries of the world and to make sure audience members “leave the theater laughing.” To that I’d say “mission accomplished.”
Ann Arbor Civic Theater's production of "Lend Me a Tenor" continues at 8 tonight-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Lydia Mendelssohn Theater, 911 N. University Ave. Tickets are $18 (students $ 10, seniors $ 15). Details: 734-971-0605 or www. a2ct.org.