The Kentwood Players’ production of Ken Ludwig’s play “Lend Me a Tenor” is a classic example of situational comedy, where the comedy results from awkward circumstances such as mistaken identity. The story, set in Cleveland, Ohion, in 1934, takes place in a hotel suite with two rooms, and it centers on the Cleveland Opera Company, which has selected popular Italian tenor Tito Merelli (Scot Renfro) to be the lead singer in “Otello.” Henry Saunders (Harold Dershimer), the general manager of the Cleveland Opera Company, hires his assistant Max (Matt Landing) to look over Moerelli, and to perform tasks for him such as providing transportation.
When Merelli’s wife Maria (Maria Pavone) accuses Tito of having an affair with his obsessed fan and Max’s girlfriend Maggie Saunders (Samantha Barrios), she leaves Tito. He is distraught upon hearing the news and overdoses on tranquilizers to calm himself before his performance, leading Max to assume that he is dead. However, Saunders decides that Max should impersonate himself as Merelli, and no one will notice. However, Merelli eventually wakes up, setting off a chain reaction of mistaken identity. Hilarity ensues.
The acting is superb, particularly Barrios, Dershimer, Landing, and Renfro. They have great comedic chemistry and the audience at the show I attended seemed to love them. The play goes by quick, with two hours feeling like one. Overall, not a bad way to spend a couple of hours!
Lend Me a Tenor is on stage through August 17 at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. Performances, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets, $18, less $2 students, seniors, military. (310) 645-5156 or go to kentwoodplayers.org.
