Ken Ludwig's Beloved Farce 'Lend Me A Tenor' At The Waterfront

The Waterfront Playhouse begins their 71st season with the comic play "Lend Me A Tenor" by Ken Ludwig. Directed by the Waterfront's artistic director Danny Weathers, "Tenor" features an all-star cast; a breath-taking set by Michael Boyer; gorgeous period costumes by Jose Rivera and Carmen Rodriguez; lighting by Kim Hanson ("Key West Nutcracker") and a high-energy tale that will have you laughing. The production is sponsored by KEY TV and runs December 16 to January 8. The opening night post performance party is sponsored by Bunnie Smith and Jack Paul.

(Photo By Sheelman) 

Audiences from Miami to Minsk have been laughing themselves silly at "Lend Me A Tenor" since it first appeared on Broadway in the 80's. "Tenor" has been translated into sixteen languages and produced in twenty-five countries. The 2010 Broadway run had an all-star cast and garnered a Best Revival of a Play Tony nomination. A sold-out production was performed at the Waterfront in 1991 with Mary Falconer and Tom Luna, who are reprising their roles.

So what's all the laughter about? "Tenor" takes place in 1934 during the gala season opening of Cleveland's Grand Opera Company. Everyone is brimming with excitement because the gala's guest star is the world's greatest tenor, Tito Merelli or Il Stupendo. The tickets are sold, the stage is set, and the orchestra is ready. However, it's three minutes to curtain, and Tito has gone missing! Cue the slamming doors, mistaken identities, girls in their lingerie, naughty innuendos and madcap chases. "Uproarious! Hysterical!" says USA Today.

"Tenor" stars a line-up of Key West's best comedic actors, including the long-awaited return to the stage of Tom Luna. Eric Cole plays Max, the much put-upon gofer who has singing aspirations of his own. David Black is Saunders, the high-strung company manager who is spinning too many plates. Elena Devers plays Maggie, the girlfriend to Max, who dreams of a bigger romance. Marjorie Paul Shook is Diana, the company diva who is hoping to sleep her way to the Met. Rebecca Gleason plays Julia, the head of the opera board, who longs for a love connection with...well, any man will do. Kyle Caskey is the whacked-out bellhop with an attitude. Each of them is desperate to make sure that the evening will be a success.

Enter the Merellis, the Italian opera star and his temperamental wife. Mary Falconer plays Maria, the wife whose jealous fury is a force to be reckoned with. Tom Luna plays Tito, the renowned tenor and ladies man who has one too many sleeping pills mixed with one too many drinks. "Screamingly funny! - Variety 

Call 305-294-5015 or you may purchase tickets at their online ticketing service at www.waterfrontplayhouse.org. There are only 16 performances, and many performances are likely to sell-out, so do not delay. Check out the Friday Night Special, which applies to all Friday night performances during "Tenor."

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