Act II Playhouse Extends LEND ME A TENOR Through 6/8

Act II Playhouse in Ambler presents the hit Broadway comedy Lend Me a Tenor by Ken Ludwig, with performances beginning May 7, 2013. Due to popular demand, the show has already extended its original run, and will now close on June 8.

Lend Me a Tenor is "one of two great farces by a living writer," according to The New York Times. Set in 1934, the plot revolves around the renowned Italian tenor Tito Marelli (played by Jeffrey Coon), who is scheduled to sing the lead in Verdi's opera Otello in Cleveland. Chaos ensues when his wife leaves him and the distraught singer is accidentally given a double dose of tranquilizers. Tito is then presumed dead, and a madcap chain reaction of mistaken identities, plot twists, double entendres, and mayhem follows.

"Lend Me a Tenor is a surefire laugh-out-loud farce that will send our audiences smiling into the summer," said Act II Artistic Director Tony Braithwaite, who plays Saunders, the manager of the opera company. "It's done so often around the world because it works so well, it's an American classic and it's only 20-some years old."

With an all-star cast - including Philadelphia favorites and Barrymore winners Jeffrey Coon and Michael Doherty - this hilarious screwball comedy is already selling fast, with many performances nearly sold out. Lend Me a Tenor also marks the return to Act II of Eileen Cella, who played Eliza Doolittle in last season's hit musical My Fair Lady, and also stars Howie Brown, Tracie Higgins, Linda Friday and Mariel Rosati. Former Act II Artistic Director Bud Martin directs.

Tickets for Lend Me a Tenor are $22 for previews, $27 for all Wednesday-Friday performances and $33 for Saturday and Sunday shows. Discounts are available for subscribers, students, groups of 10 or more, and seniors (65+). Tickets are available online at www.act2.org, by calling the Act II box office at (215) 654-0200, or in person at 56 E. Butler Ave. in Ambler. Box office hours are 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

(Opening night is Friday, May 10 at 8 p.m. Reviewing members of the press can reserve tickets by emailing Communications Director Bill D'Agostino at bill@act2.org or calling him at 215-654-1011.)