LEND ME A TENOR Comes to Portland Stage

Portland Stage will begin 2026 with big belly laughs! The three-time Tony Award-winning laugh riot, Lend Me A Tenor by Ken Ludwig, will come to the stage. Coming to the stage in the dark Maine winter to give Maine theater-goers a dose of fun, this play is sure to delight all audiences.

Returning favorite, Kevin R. Free***, to direct with their Portland Stage trademark of an unforgettable, hilarious, mad-dash comedy, previously directing The Play That Goes Wrong 2024, and Murder on the Links 2026. Kevin's brilliant eye for comedy invites audiences to experience the laugh-out-loud evening of hijinks, mistaken identity, and chance encounters.

This production features an incredible comedic cast which includes Tom Ford* as Saunders, who is no stranger to the mainstage and recently played Scrooge in A Christmas Carol and Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Links, among others. In fact, Ford was in the original cast of the 2004 production of Lend Me A Tenor at Portland Stage.

Another familiar face is Michela Micalizio as Maria, after returning from their appearance in Murder on the Links and a Dramatic Repertory Company's production of Angels in America Parts I & II, presented by Portland Stage as Harper Pitt. Also returning is Latrisha T. Staples* as Maggie, after her memorable performance of Letitia in Clyde's 2024. 

New to Portland Stage are Patrick Harvey*, Scott Ahearn*, Brad LaBree, Isis Phoenix, and Liz McCartney*. 

Cast:

Max - Patrick Harvey*

Maggie - Latrisha T. Staples*

Saunders - Tom Ford*

Tito Merelli - Scott Ahearn*

Maria - Michela Micalizio

Bellhop - Brad LaBree

Diana - Isis Phoenix

Julia - Liz McCartney*

Production Team:

Director - Kevin R. Free***

Scenic Designer - Germán Cárdenas Alaminos

Costume Designer - Jacqueline Firkins**

Lighting Designer - Mary Lana Rice

Sound Designer - Seth Asa Sengel

Stage Manager - Myles C. Hatch*

Fight Choreographer - Michael Dix Thomas

Fight Captain - Myles C. Hatch*

Intimacy Coordinator - Hollie Pryor

Vocal Coach - Brynn Lewallen

Casting Director - Jenn Haltman

Asst. Director & Dramaturg - Max Lerin

Production Assistant - Sidney Phillips

Lighting and Sound Operator - Kaushik Raghaven

Wardrobe - Lauren Kensley

Swings - Bridget Beecham & Max Lerin

* Member, Actors' Equity Association 

** Member, United Scenic Artists