LEND ME A TENOR Runs 2/20-3/1 at MCCC's Kelsey Theatre

A hilarious salute to screwball comedies of the 1930s is coming to Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre. Maurer Productions OnStage (MPO) brings Ken Ludwig's comedy farce "Lend Me A Tenor" to the Kelsey stage Fridays, Feb. 20 and 27 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Feb. 21 and 28 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Feb. 22 and March 1 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is conveniently located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on Feb. 20.

Maurer Productions is set to tell the tale of a big celebrity who goes missing in a small town. The Cleveland Grand Opera Company has laid out the red carpet to welcome the world famous Tito Merelli, known as Il Stupendo. The greatest tenor of his generation, Merelli is scheduled to appear for one night only as Othello. He arrives late and, through a series of mishaps, is given a double dose of tranquilizers. Has he just passed out - or is he dead? And who will take his place as curtain time approaches?

Frantic attempts to salvage the evening ensue, including an assistant who steps in as Merelli's understudy, only to have the star recover and eager to join the show that's begun without him, plus a mistrusting wife and two women running around in lingerie, each thinking she is Il Stupendo's gal. A sensation on Broadway and in London's West End, "Lend Me a Tenor" is guaranteed to leave audiences breathless with laughter.

The cast features Maria Aromando of Bridgewater as Diana; Peter Bisgaier of Princeton Junction as Saunders; Matthew Cassidy of Morrisville, Pa., as the Bellhop; Laurie Hardy of Hamilton as Julia; Roman Sohor of Manalapan as Tito Merelli; Andrew Timmes of Lawrenceville as Max; Alysia Toscano of Mercerville as Maggie; and Stephanie Zimmerman of Hamilton as Maria.

The show is directed by MPO's Artistic Director, John Maurer, and co-produced by Maurer and his wife, Diana. MPO has presented dramas, musicals, comedies and children's shows at Kelsey, but Maurer says his first love is comedy. "I am always comfortable doing comedy. Helping people laugh is always a great joy. Give me a good script and some talented performers and we can make a wonderful evening's entertainment."

Tickets for "Lend Me a Tenor" are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $14 for students and children. Free parking is available next to the theater. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey webpage or call the box office for a brochure.

Pictured: Two tenors are in the house! From left, Maria Aromando, Roman Sohor, Andrew Timmes, and Alysia Toscano. Photography by Rob Gougher, with artwork by John M. Maurer.