Stanley Tucci on Directing LEND ME A TENOR: 'The most fun I've had working in a long time'

Stanley Tucci, who was last seen on the big screen in the chilling role of serial killer George Harvey in 'The Lovely Bones', said in an interview with LoHud.com that directing Ken Ludwig's LEND ME A TENOR has been the "most fun I've had working in a long time."

Tucci adds, "It's very hard work, but it is so satisfying. I'm praying it'll be as satisfying for the audience."

"I like extremes, I guess. I love farce. I love doing it and I love watching it when it's well done."

'Lend Me a Tenor' stars an impressive ensemble with such stage and film veterans as Anthony LaPaglia, Tony Shalhoub, Jan Maxwell, Mary Catherine Garrison, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Jay Klaitz, and Brooke Adams, and Justin Bartha.

Of the enormous talent in the cast, Tucci remarks that he is thrilled to be working with actors of such high calibre. "Anthony LaPaglia and Tony Shalhoub are so great because they can go from being real minimalists to being absolutely huge," he says. "Not over the top, but taking everything and expanding it."

To read the rest of the interview in the LoHud, click here.

Stanley Tucci is an Emmy Award and Golden Globe winning actor who has appeared in over 50 films. In 2009, Stanley was seen in Julie & Julia, opposite Meryl Streep. He received Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations for his performance in The Lovely Bones, which was released this month. Stanley also starred in Blind Date which he co-wrote and directed. As an actor, he is a stage veteran and made his Broadway debut in The Queen and the Rebels opposite Colleen Dewhurst and went on to star in The Misanthrope, Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Iceman Cometh, and in his Tony Award- nominated turn in Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune. His film directing credits include Big Night, The Impostors and Joe Gould's Secret. Mr. Tucci will make his Broadway directing debut with Lend Me a Tenor.

LEND ME A TENOR will bow on Broadway on April 4, 2010 at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street). Preview performances begin March 11. 

LEND ME A TENOR is produced by The Araca Group, Stuart Thompson, Carl Moellenberg, Rodney Rigby, Olympus Theatricals, Broadway Across America, in Association with Lisa Cartwright, Wendy Federman/Jamie deRoy.

Set in the 1930s, LEND ME A TENOR is a madcap screwball comedy that takes place when Tito Merelli, the fiery-tempered and world famous Italian superstar, arrives in Cleveland, Ohio to make his debut with the local opera and promptly goes missing. As Saunders, the show's presenter, conspires to cover for Tito's absence, placate his hot-blooded wife, and distract his most passionate fans, chaos on a truly operatic level ensues.

LEND ME A TENOR's design and creative team is John Lee Beatty (set designer), Kenneth Posner (lighting design), Martin Pakledinaz, (costume design), Peter Hylenski (sound design) and David Loud (musical supervisor).

LEND ME A TENOR premiered on Broadway in 1989 and received seven Tony Award nominations, winning two. It was also honored with four Drama Desk Awards. Prior to Broadway, LEND ME A TENOR played London's West End where it received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Comedy. The play has been translated into sixteen languages and produced in more than twenty-five countries.

Tickets will be available through Telechagre (212 239 6200) or at www.Telecharge.com on December 28. For more information visit www.lendmeatenorbroadway.com