Lend Me a Tenor (and dinner, too) at New Candlelight Theatre

Theater: New Candlelight Theatre
Show Title: Lend Me a Tenor
Opened: January 11, 2008
Seen: January 13, 2008
Reviewer: Ryan Bunch
Submitted: January 18, 2008

Ken Ludwig’s popular Tony Award-winning play has come to our region in the capable hands of New Candlelight Theatre in Ardentown, Delaware.

Lend Me a Tenor is a lively farce set in 1934 in the Cleveland hotel room of opera star Tito Merelli, who is about to make his North American debut in Verdi’s Otello. Complications set in when Merelli falls ill and passes out from a combination of alcohol and tranquilizers just before the performance. Taking him for dead and fearing a fiasco, the opera’s General Manager Saunders conspires to put his assistant Max in the title role. Max goes on stage in the tenor’s place, spending most of the remainder of the show in a spare Otello costume. What follows (naturally, of course!) is a succession of standard farcical episodes—mistaken identities, near misses, close encounters and sexual confusion increase in number and intensity as the characters slam doors, hide in closets and sneak out of the bathroom.

Moving all this forward are the cast, who rise to the task admirably. The first act of the script is largely exposition, and while there is foretaste of what is to come, it seems mostly to serve as warm-up for act two. Similarly the actors seemed to me to be finding their pacing in the first half of show. But both script and performers really get their momentum going after the intermission, and it is a treat.

Played by Paul Goodman, the insecure Max stammers and fidgets endearingly, and as Maggie, his would-be fiancée and a fawning Merelli fan, Liz Filios combines giddiness with sophisticated poise. Alan Kutner as the pompous Saunders and Micki Sharpe as the outspoken Maria Merelli stand out for their strong portrayals of these colorful characters. Additional splashes of comedy are provided by Angela Lynn Pomo (Julia the socialite opera board member), Marie Howey (Diana the ambitious young soprano) and Brian Walsh (the flamboyant Bellhop).

Director and production designer Chris Alberts has created a beautiful art deco set with six doors to accommodate the plot machinations. The look is complemented by attractive costumes combining sophistication with a stylish sense of humor, from Maggie’s entrance in 30’s chic at the top of the show to Julia’s garish “Chrysler Building” gown.

And don’t forget this is dinner theater, too. So get there early enough for the buffet and save some room for the pumpkin pie. With food, farce and friendly staff, a show at Candlelight is a full evening (or Sunday afternoon) of entertainment.

Lend Me a Tenor runs through March 1 at New Candlelight Theatre, 2208 Millers Road, Ardentown, Delaware. For tickets call 302-475-2313. Information at www.newcandlelighttheatre.com.

Ryan Bunch is a vocal instructor, writer and composer specializing in musical theater and theater for young audiences. He has provided voice training, musical direction, songwriting, script development and educational services for the Opera Company of Philadelphia, Mainstage Center for the Arts, Center Stage Productions, Chichester School District, West Chester Summer Stage, Renaissance Artist Puppet Company, and the Players Board of Chestnut Hill Academy and Springside School. For additional information visit www.ryanbunch.com.