a fresh look at FARCE
Lend Me a Tenor
directed by cassieMANN
by kenLUDWIG
nov 20-23 , 2008
8pm Th-Sat, 2 pm Sun
lydia mendelssohn theatre
synopsis
A renowned tenor is late for his starring appearance in the Cleveland Opera Company’s production of Otello, which sets off a series of mad-cap misunderstandings, plot twists, and hilarious hijinks in this riotous broad comedy by the author of Moon Over Buffalo.
staff
production staff
Director: Cassie Mann
A.D.: Martha Montoye
Producer: Teresa Myers
Graphic Design: Erik Wright Olsen
Set Design: Brad Peters
Lighting Design: Tiff Crutchfield
Costume Design: Cheryl Berteel
Hair & Makeup: Stephanie Buzcek
cast
Max*
Assistant to Saunders. Late twenties-mid thirties. Max is earnest and hard-working, and is in love with Maggie.
Maggie
Max’s girlfriend & Saunders’ daughter. Mid twenties-early thirties. Maggie is smart & practical, but yearns for something “wonderful and romantic” before she settles down with Max.
Saunders
General Manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. Late forties-mid sixties. Saunders is brusque and authoritarian with a short fuse.
Tito Merelli*
A world-famous tenor, also known to his fans as “Il Stupendo.” Early forties-mid sixties. Tito is larger than life; full of grand gestures and grand appetites. He has an Italian accent.
Maria
Tito’s wife. Mid thirties-late forties. Maria is proud, excitable, and emotional. She speaks with an Italian accent.
Bellhop*
A bellhop. Early twenties-mid thirties. The bellhop is shrewd, opportunistic, and determined to audition for Tito.
Diana
The Cleveland Grand Opera’s lead soprano. Early thirties-late forties. Maria is sexy and forceful; she knows what she wants and how to get it.
Julia
Chairperson of the Opera Guild. Mid forties-early seventies. Julia is vivacious and charming and passionate about opera.
*These characters sing “opera.” The actors need only be able to sing loudly and carry a tune; operatic training is not required.
extras
Website and Pictures from the Grove Players' production of Lend Me a Tenor