Florida Rep Opens its 15th Anniversary Season With LEND ME A TENOR, Today

Florida Repertory Theatre has announced the opening of its 15th Anniversary Season with Lend Me a Tenor, a "deliriously funny farce set in the richly glamorous art deco 1930's."

Written by master farceur, Ken Ludwig, the play chronicles the worst night in the history of the Cleveland Grand opera: it's just moments to curtain and world famous tenor, Tito Merelli, goes missing.

"There is nothing like starting off the season with a thousand laughs," said Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo, "and that is exactly how we're kicking off our 15th season - with a great screwball comedy, Lend Me a Tenor."

It is Cleveland 1934, and the stage is set for a one-night-only command performance of Otello with the world's greatest tenor, Tito Merelli, in the title role. But when the star arrives desperately late with his ego and his jealous wife in tow, things don't go exactly according to plan. A double dose of tranquilizers, an over-sexed soprano, and a mistaken suicide note add up to complete chaos. But what's bad for the Cleveland Opera is good for Florida Rep audiences - who'll be left in stitches as the curtain comes down on this multiple Tony-winning comedy.

Lend Me a Tenor features an all-star cast of Florida Rep ensemble members including Craig Bockhorn (God of Carnage), David Breitbarth (Rumors), Carrie Lund (Black Tie) and Jason Parrish (Santaland Diaries). Making their Florida Rep debuts, the company is pleased to welcome Lindsay Clemmons, a recent UCF graduate and acting intern with Florida Rep this season, Kate Hampton, an Asolo Rep veteran, New York based actor, Michael Satow, who recently appeared with Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota, and Chicago veteran, Kate Young.

Florida Rep Associate Artistic Director, Chris Clavelli (Black Tie; Santaland Diaries) directs the production and is joined an expert creative team of Florida Rep veterans, including set designer, Jim Hunter (Rumors), lighting designer, Todd O. Wren (God of Carnage), resident costume designer, Roberta Malcolm (It's a Wonderful Life), sound designer, Kate Smith (Red) and resident stage manager, Amy L. Massari (Tru).

Lend Me a Tenor by Ken Ludwig plays Oct. 26 - Nov. 17, with previews on Oct. 23 at 8pm, Oct. 24 at 2pm and Oct. 25 at 8pm, and tickets are going fast for the preview performances. Regular performances are Tues. - Sat. at 8pm, with matinees on Wed., Sun., and selected Saturdays at 2pm with a 7pm twilight performance on Sun., Oct 28.

Single tickets are now on sale through the box office at 239-332-4488, online at floridarep.org, and are $45/$40 and $25 for discounted previews. Subscriptions for the 2012-2013 Season offer the best savings, and packages start as low as $120 for 6 plays, and offer up to 40% off single ticket prices.

Lend Me a Tenor is sponsored by Dr. Alexander M. Eaton & Dr. Hussein Wafapoor of the RETINA HEALTH CENTER.

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry with ample free parking in the Fort Myers River District. Follow Florida Rep on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube by visiting us online at www.floridarep.org.