Adobe Theater to Present Ken Ludwig's LEND ME A TENOR, 5/17-6/9

Lend Me a Tenor by Ken Ludwig, directed by Jane and Cy Hoffman, opens May 17 at the ADOBE Theater.

The New York Times called this play, "One of the two great farces by a living writer," when it opened on Broadway in 1989. Set in 1934, Mr. Saunders (played by Thom Hinks), the manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is preparing to welcome world famous Tito Morelli, "Il Stupendo", the greatest tenor of the generation (J. Ryan Montenery), who will appear for only one night as Otello. The only rehearsal begins soon, but the great one has not yet arrived so Saunders and his assistant, Max (Warren Wilgus) are frantic with worry. Max is in love with Saunders' daughter, Maggie (Avery Scott), but she is star struck by the famous tenor. When Tito does finally arrive with his jealous wife, Maria, (Colleen McClure) the farce begins. Through a series of hilarious complications, the tenor is given a double dose of tranquilizers and appears to be dead. What follows is a frantic and uproarious attempt to salvage the evening, a collision between high art and low comedy.

The Hoffmans have previously directed a number of musicals at the Adobe including "The Drowsy Chaperone" and "Sundown" and recently directed "Me and My Girl" with Musical Theatre Southwest, where you may have seen Tasha Waters as the seductive vamp. Tasha has a similar role here as Diana, the opera's leading lady who has her eyes on the great Tito. Gene Dunne appears as the opera-loving Bellhop in the hotel where the action takes place, and Angie Alley rounds out the cast as Julia, the head of the Opera Guild, who insists on controlling every aspect of the operatic evening.

"This is a hilarious show, and we can't wait to watch the audience roar with laughter," said Cy Hoffman.

Don't miss this hilarious and frenetic Springtime entertainment. "Lend Me a Tenor" by Ken Ludwig opens May 17th and plays through June 9th with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. Tickets are only $15, students and seniors $13. Reservations can be made at www.adobetheater.org, or by phone (weekdays only) at 505-898-9222.