By David Fleet

Editor

At 7 p.m., Nov. 17-19 and 2 p.m., Nov. 20, Goodrich High School presents, “Lend me a Tenor” at the Goodrich Center for the Performing Arts.

“The challenges of a production such as this include actors working as an ensemble to move the show with impeccable timing in the broad, concept of playing farce on stage,” said Steve Mitchell, theatre director.

The play is set in September 1934. Saunders, the general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is primed to welcome world famous, Tito Morelli, II Stupendo, the greatest tenor generation to appear for one night only as Otello. The star arrives late and through a hilarious series of mishaps, is given a double dose of tranquilizers and passes out. His pulse is so low that Sandus and assistant Max believes he is dead. In a frantic attempt to salvage the evening, Saunders persuades to get into Morelli’s costume and fool the audience into thinking he’s II Stupendo. Max succeeds admirably, but Morelli comes to get into his other costume ready to perform. Now two Otellos are running around and two women chasing two different “Titos,” each thinking she is with II Studpendo.

“Movement is essential,” added Mitchell. “The idea of playing hysteria in a believable, plausible fashion. Scenery and costumes are designed to communicate a most luxurious 1930s hotel suite with authenticity in the smallest details, including seven doors on stage used for non-stop entrances and exits, a telephone ringing off the hook, as well as a camera from the 1930s used to take important photos and flashing at just the right moment. A sensation on Broadway, this madcap, crazy comedy is guaranteed to leave audiences teary-eyed with laughter. “